Dransfield Novelty Company acquires Crystal & Son Group to strengthen northern presence
Dransfield Novelty Company Limited, the largest British-owned UK supplier of gaming machines and entertainment products to pubs and clubs, has acquired Newcastle Upon Tyne-based, Crystal & Son Group. This strategic purchase marks another milestone for the family-owned business, which boasts a proud 75-year history. The acquisition further enhances Dransfield’s range of goods and services it…
Bosses urged not to end up with a tax hangover after staff Christmas parties
Expert warns that exceeding the £150 tax exempt limit could have costly ramifications Yorkshire businesses planning to treat their staff to a festive party this Christmas are being warned not to end up with a tax hangover. Tax specialist Richard Whitelock, Employment Tax Advisory Partner at UK top 10 accountancy and advisor firm Azets, says…
Senior hire for Azets in Yorkshire
Azets has appointed Ian Beaumont as regional senior partner for Yorkshire. He was the recently retired head of KPMG in the north east before joining Azets, the UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm. Ian started his career with Haines Watts before going on to become office senior partner at RSM Robson Rhodes, BDO and…
Employment costs to soar in beleaguered hospitality sector
Hospitality firms in Yorkshire could be facing the most arduous financial challenges since the pandemic. The sector, including food and beverage, accommodation, travel and tourism and entertainment and recreation, is particularly vulnerable to a range of Autumn Budget measures because of a younger workforce, recruitment problems and reliance on discretionary spending by consumers. Employer National…
White Rose launches 2024 Christmas Appeal, supporting local charity
White Rose Shopping Centre has welcomed the return of its annual gift donation drive, supporting local Leeds charity Kidz Klub in the run up to Christmas. Guests are invited to provide toys and gifts suitable for ages zero to 16 at the Christmas Appeal donation station near Guest Services in the centre, which will be…
Business support needed to bring back popular soapbox event!
One of Bradford’s most popular events is scheduled to head back to the city centre, with the Super Soapbox Challenge returning in 2025 – but only if external sponsorship funding can be secured. Attracting nearly 50,000 visitors to the city over the last three years, the action packed event has become one of Bradford’s event…
City of York council unveils key proposals in ‘Our Big Budget Conversation’ amidst unprecedented financial pressures
City of York Council is asking for the community’s continued engagement as it tackles one of the most challenging budgets in its history. As part of Our Big Budget Conversation, residents, businesses, and partners are invited to provide feedback on proposed budget changes designed to protect essential services while ensuring the council operates within its limited…
Yorkshire businesses find solution to rising wage costs through strategic offshoring
As Yorkshire businesses prepare for the April 2025 minimum wage increase to £11.44 per hour, Archipelago BPO announces a strategic initiative to help Chamber members maintain service excellence while managing rising operational costs. Alex Giles, Managing Director of Archipelago BPO, has identified a growing concern among Chamber members, regarding the impact of rising wage costs…
Society named as best savings provider
Yorkshire Building Society has been named the title of Which? Recommended savings provider for 2024. The mutual – who has head office sites in Leeds and Bradford – was given the title by Which? for combining excellent customer satisfaction with market-leading accounts and rates. Last year Yorkshire Building Society paid its savings members £441m in…
Schofield Sweeney advises leading food and beverage supplier on acquisition
Kiril Mischeff, one of the UK’s leading food and ingredient suppliers to the food and beverage manufacturing, food service and retail sectors, has acquired Annessa Imports Limited. For over 90 years, Kiril Mischeff, a privately owned business, has been working closely with partners worldwide to source and supply first-class products and ingredients. Annessa Imports sources…
Andrew Jackson welcomes solicitor to Private Client Team
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has welcomed solicitor Devon Drakes to its well-regarded private client team. Devon is experienced in assisting clients in relation to the preparation of wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, and in providing Inheritance Tax advice. She also has experience in advising on the administration of estates following death….
Andrew Jackson advises on Northallerton residential development scheme
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is delighted to have advised North Yorkshire-based James Partnership, which specialises in residential property development and ‘change of use’ schemes, on the purchase of a development site consisting of agricultural barns for conversion into residential dwellings located near Northallerton, North Yorkshire. The land currently comprises an attractive set…
Schofield Sweeney’s ‘Class of 2024’ qualify
Sunday Times Best Places to Work firm, Schofield Sweeney, announce that this year’s cohort of trainee solicitors and solicitor apprentices have successfully completed their training and have chosen to continue their legal careers with the firm, which is a 100% retention rate. Neil Towse, HR director said, “Their dedication, hard work, and talent have earned…
Andrew Jackson announces newly qualified and trainee promotions
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is delighted to announce the promotion of seven members of its team. Hayley Neal and Ailish Ward have successfully completed their training contracts and qualified as solicitors. They will continue to assist the property team across a broad range of commercial property transactions, with Ailish utilising her experience…
Azets responds to September 2024 company insolvency statistics
Richard Oddy, a restructuring and insolvency partner in Yorkshire for Azets, the UK top 10 accountancy and advisory firm, comments on the September 2024 company insolvency statistics for England and Wales: “There were 1,973 registered company insolvencies in England and Wales last month [September], slightly up by 2% on August but down 7% compared to…
New Non-Executive Director appointed at Yorkshire Building Society
Yorkshire Building Society has confirmed Janet Pope will join its Board as Non-Executive Director on 29 October. With more than 30 years’ experience in financial services, Janet currently sits on the Board of the debt charity StepChange and is Chair of the Charities Aid Foundation Bank. She recently retired from Lloyds Banking Group, where she…
Corporate team grows with new appointments
Schofield Sweeney, an award-winning legal firm has announced the expansion of its corporate team, reflecting on the Firm’s continued growth and commitment to excellence in legal services. They welcome two accomplished professionals and a recently qualified solicitor to their corporate team, reinforcing their position as a trusted adviser in all corporate aspects of law. Saby…
Andrew Jackson announces another key appointment
Private client partner, George Lyall, joins law firm Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has welcomed George Lyall, a highly experienced private client specialist, as a partner, marking further growth for its well-regarded practice. With over 40 years’ experience in advising high net worth individuals alongside their private and charitable trusts, George has particular…
AAB moves into North West England with the acquisition of Barlow Andrews
Leading professional services firm, AAB, has strengthened its position in the north of England with the acquisition of Bolton-based Barlow Andrews and its sister entity Beech Business Services. Established for over 100 years and currently employing 70 people, Barlow Andrews and Beech Business Services collectively provide audit & accounts, tax, payroll, outsourcing and business advisory…
Andrew Jackson facilitates Casper River’s first barge purchase
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP announces that it has recently assisted newco Casper River and Canal Transport (“Casper River”), a subsidiary of Casper Chartering Limited, on its purchase of Off-Roader from MMS Offshore Renewables Services Limited (MMS). Off-Roader is the first vessel in Casper River’s fleet and offers an economic and environmentally friendly…
Yorkshire Building Society partnership with Citizens Advice wins gold in Customer Service Awards
An innovative partnership between Yorkshire Building Society and Citizens Advice has been crowned the Gold Winner of the Customer Service Improvement Award at the Collaboration Network Awards 2024. According to the organisers, the award recognised the organisation that has done the most to improve customer service in their operation, whether that be a specific initiative…
Improve financial education to boost resilience in young people, Yorkshire experts say
Charity leaders, think-tank representatives and members of parliament came together on Friday (Friday, 13 September) to discuss the financial resilience of young people, as part of an event held by Yorkshire Building Society. The event, to mark UK Savings Week (9-15 September), was hosted by the Society’s director of savings Chris Irwin, and Luke Charters,…
Schofield Sweeney invests in lawyers of the future
Award-winning law firm Schofield Sweeney has welcomed a new cohort of solicitor apprentices and trainees this month. The firm is recognised as a Sunday Times Best Place to Work and saw a record number of applicants this year for its pathways into law. The firm advocates social mobility, ensuring its workforce is diverse and inclusive…
AAB announces leadership transition on the island of Ireland
Leading professional services firm across Ireland and the UK, AAB, has announced a new Head of Office within its Island of Ireland operations. Teresa Campbell is set to step into the role as Head of Ireland, succeeding Feargal McCormack, from 1 October 2024. Currently employing c. 1,000 people across 12 offices globally, AAB is ranked…
Bulls file accounts up to Nov 2023
Bradford Bulls have filed their latest set of accounts covering the 12 months up to 30th November 2023. The accounts show that the club made a small profit of £22k on a turnover of £2,131,000. Commenting on the 2023 out-turn, chairman Nigel Wood said “The club’s board does try to run the club sustainably, because frankly,…
AAB strengthens Virtual Finance team with new Leeds Partner
Second new Partner in Leeds office in as many months Appointment marks a further expansion of services out of Leeds, following launch of Corporate Finance division in the city 25% growth in Virtual Finance clients in the past year AAB, a leading professional services firm across the UK and Ireland, is pleased to announce the…
Fintech pledge support
The 2025 Fintech Pledge is an initiative aimed at strengthening financial resilience among UK consumers by encouraging 25 million positive financial actions by 2025. These actions, tracked monthly, are intended to improve individuals’ financial health. The Pledge focuses on five key areas: savings, credit, debt, bills, and benefits, and provides practical examples of how consumers…
Haroon Qayum adds his expertise to award winning Roche Legal team
Haroon Qayum has joined the award winning Roche Legal as a senior solicitor adding his succession planning expertise to the York based team. Yorkshire born Haroon, previously a partner at LCF Law in Harrogate, is relishing the challenge of his new role and said: “I believe this is an ideal moment to join Roche Legal….
Yorkshire Building Society partners with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture
Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture has announced Yorkshire Building Society as a Major Supporter. The partnership will see the 160-year-old mutual work with the programme over three years to help support its aim of increasing employment opportunities and skills across the district. Yorkshire Building Society has a long heritage in the Bradford area. One…
Yorkshire Building Society appoints new Chief People Officer
Yorkshire Building Society has announced that Holly Rankin will become its Chief People Officer from December 2024, subject to regulatory approval. Holly brings more than 28 years’ experience in human resources, including 16 years in financial services. She will join from Barclays Bank, where she has been Managing Director HR. She previously held the roles…
Emma and Ruth lead promotions at Rollits
Leading York law firm Rollits LLP has announced its latest round of promotions with two new partners and four more lawyers stepping up a level. Ruth Maltby-Sinkler in the commercial property team and Emma Hamilton in private capital have both been promoted from Associate to Partner and John Ashworth in dispute resolution becomes an Associate….
Andrew Jackson advises specialist manufacturer on sale to US adhesive giant
Regional law firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is delighted to announce that it has advised the shareholders of HS Butyl Ltd, the UK’s largest manufacturer and distributor of high-quality butyl tapes, on their disposal to NYSE-listed H.B. Fuller, the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world. Family owned and founded since 1964, HS Butyl has…
Lawyer makes the move from grandfather’s firm to join Rollits
A solicitor who took her first steps in the legal profession with the practice founded by her grandfather has made the move to join the property department at leading Yorkshire law firm Rollits LLP. Georgina Gibbon joins Rollits from BG Solicitors LLP, a firm which traces its roots back to 1944, founded by Tom Beetenson…
Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation unveils £1 million grant programme to boost employability in Bradford
Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation has unveiled a new £1million grant programme for charities that support employability in Bradford and is calling for relevant groups to submit an application for funding by 29 September 2024. Yorkshire Building Society has a long heritage in the Bradford area. One of the mutual’s founding organisations, the Bradford Self…
Azets UK announces new partner and director promotions in Yorkshire
Azets, the international advisory, outsourcing and compliance group, has announced 22 promotions across its Yorkshire business. Richard Oddy (Restructuring, Leeds) has become a partner while Becky Dawson (Technical Accounting, York), James Durham (ABAS, York), Kim Major (Tax, Leeds), Naveen Sahney (Tax, York) have been promoted to director. They are among 12 promotions in Azets’ Leeds…
Andrew Jackson advises Flamingo Land on lease for Alpamare Waterpark
North Bay attraction reopens its doors to the public after several months’ closure Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is delighted to have advised Malton-based leisure company Flamingo Land on the lease of Scarborough’s Alpamare Waterpark, which has recently reopened to the public in time for the summer tourism season. Earlier this year, North Yorkshire Council named…
New non-executive director appointed at Yorkshire Building Society
Yorkshire Building Society has confirmed Peter Bole has will join its Board as Non-Executive Director on 1 September. Peter has over 30 years’ experience in financial services and has held the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Tesco Bank and Virgin Money, where he went on to become Group Integration Director. In his current…
LGSCO releases annual figures for City of York Council
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has published their annual review report alongside their performance data for all local authorities. The performance data relating to City of York Council, shows a year-on-year reduction in cases they have received about the council. This shows that of 9 cases investigated, 78% (7) were upheld, comparing against…
Will you be caught by HMRC trying to bridge a £40 billion tax gap?
Whether it’s a knock on the door, a phone call or a letter with the tell-tale HMRC logo, there’s little that will strike more fear into the heart of any individual or business owner than an unexpected enquiry from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). No matter the scale of the business, there will be common…
Andrew Jackson advises the Kexgill Group on refinance facility for student accommodation expansion
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is delighted to have advised the Kexgill Group (trading as the University Quarter®), one of the largest privately owned providers of student accommodation in the UK, on a refinance facility provided by Aldermore Bank. The substantial transaction involved the refinancing of seven residential properties recently acquired by Kexgill as part of…
Leeds-based Sagars becomes AAB in strategic brand consolidation
FPM, Sagars and May Figures to become AAB On track to achieve £100million turnover in 2024 Leading accountancy and business advisory services firm, Sagars, has become AAB, in a move which consolidates the business’ five brands across the UK and Ireland. This strategic alignment forms a cornerstone of AAB’s six-year plan to strengthen and expand…
Yorkshire Building Society puts forward five opportunities for the new government
Yorkshire Building Society is calling on the new government to support first-time buyers, savers and the mutual sector. The Society also wants to boost skilled jobs outside London and is proposing that all primary school children in England should have lessons on managing money. The mutual is contacting MPs and sharing its five ‘Opportunities for…
Real estate team reports strong performance in first half of 2024
Award-winning law firm, Schofield Sweeney, has announced a busy and successful first half of 2024 for its real estate team. In what is perceived to be an unsure market, the team continues to manage and conduct significant transactions, reflecting both the robust market conditions and the team’s expertise in handling complex real estate deals. This…
What does this historic election result mean for UK taxpayers?
The result of the 2024 General Election will come as no surprise to pollsters, with Labour securing 412 seats – a landslide majority ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Inevitably taxpayers will be considering how this sweeping change in the political landscape will affect them. During the campaign, Labour did not provide particularly detailed tax…
AAB augment corporate finance service in Yorkshire
New appointments to deliver end-to-end service across North of England AAB, a leading professional services firm across the UK and Ireland, is expanding its corporate finance offering across the North of England with the appointment of two new key team members based in Leeds. Patrick Lynch joins as Corporate Finance Partner, alongside Harris Jones as…
Andrew Jackson strengthens employment team with senior appointment
Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP is delighted to announce that Gillian Markland has joined the firm’s employment team as a partner. Gillian brings several years’ experience acting across a broad range of employment matters. She regularly advises both public and private sector employers on a range of matters including contracts of employment, handbooks, disciplinary and dismissals,…
Mandale Industrial Park purchased by MDP NE29 Ltd
MDP NE29 Ltd have successfully acquired Mandale Industrial Park, located on Wallsend Road, North Shields for a purchase price in excess of £10 million. The estate comprises 39 units, including 24 hybrid units and 14 industrial units. Nigel Arnott, Head of Compliance/Industry Development for MDP NE29 Ltd, commented, “The acquisition of Mandale Industrial Park is…
AAB announces key promotions during period of strategic growth
AAB, a leading professional services firm across the UK and Ireland, has today announced the promotion of five team members into key leadership roles. This move not only underscores AAB’s dedication to fostering talent and commitment to excellence but also signals a continued trajectory of growth with 150 team members promoted across the 12 AAB…