‘Brighter mood’ among businesses in the region amidst signs economy is stabilising
Business confidence in the East of England rose by nine points during March to 48 per cent as firms grew more optimistic on both their own prospects and the economic outlook, according to a business barometer survey from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Firms in the region saw their top target areas for growth in the next six months as evolving their offering, investing in teams or moving into new markets. Nationally, business confidence was unchanged at 42 percent. Services confidence fell five points to 40 per cent but this was was offset by stronger confidence in the manufacturing, retail and construction sectors. Confidence amongst retailers was at its strongest – up five points to 45 per cent – in over two years. Paul Evans, regional director for the East of England at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “…the brighter mornings and evenings are being joined by a brighter mood among businesses in the East. Last week’s news of slowing inflation could bolster this, in the latest sign that the economy is stabilising.”
Accountancy firm with ‘rich history’ joins leading mid-market practice with focus on SMEs
Specialist accountancy firm Scrutton Bland, which has offices in Ipswich, Colchester and Bury St Edmunds, has become part of Sumer, a leading mid-market accountancy practice. The firm is joining Sumer, a significant challenger in the sector, to scale and access the latest technologies and to enhance its client proposition. Scrutton Bland is a firm chartered accountants, tax and business advisers with 150 employees and whose areas of expertise includes: agriculture, charities, construction, technology, and education. Sumer has nine regional hubs, 45 offices and over 1,200 staff and has a focus on SMEs. Warren Mead, chief executive officer of Sumer, said: “Scrutton Bland has a rich history, and a big future, with a dedicated team passionate about championing SME’s. The practice has received awards for its highly supportive approach to colleague development and focus on its people which made partnering ideal.”
Jason Fayers, managing partner at Scrutton Bland, said: “…We want to offer our clients and team the best experience possible and as a leadership team we have been thinking about how we can poise the business for growth. As technology evolves and the business world becomes ever more complex, we realise we must tap into additional scale. At the same time, we want to work with people with a shared vision. That’s why we’re incredibly excited to join Sumer, who share our core values and can’t wait for the next chapter in the Scrutton Bland story.”
Adnams appoints first female CEO
Southwold-based Adnams has appointed Jenny Hanlon, 48, as the first female chief executive officer in the 150 year history of the brewing, pubs and hotels group. She has been serving as chief financial officer and will succeed Andy Wood who remains with the business until the year-end as a consultant before retiring. Having started her career with Ernst & Young and become a member of the Adnams Board in 2020, Jenny Hanlon has had senior finance roles with Greene King, Barclays, Willis plc, iprism and GRP Group. She said: “This is a hugely exciting time to be taking the reins from Andy. Looking ahead, what’s important is that we keep evolving and keep innovating – our brand and product portfolio, our brewing, distilling and distribution operations and our estate – while continuing to support our customers, communities and colleagues with the same values and commitments which have served us so well.”
Andy Wood’s career at Adnams spans almost 30 years, including 14 years as CEO during which he led the transformation of the business from a regional brewing company into a diversified beer, wine and spirits company with a pub, hotel and retail estate.
Photo: Jenny Hanlon with Andy Wood.
Cambridge corporate finance firm advises on international law sale
Cambridge-based PEM Corporate Finance (PEMCF) has advised Shoreside Law and Shoreside Agents on their sale to Davies. Shoreside Law is a team of specialist international lawyers dedicated to shipping, yacht, commercial, insurance and energy disputes. The management team have made the strategic decision to sell to Davies and will join the firm’s existing legal solutions business, Keoghs, a top 40 law firm. Philip Olagunju and Cameron Rothwell from PEMCF assisted the vendors with price negotiations, net working capital analysis, due diligence assistance and general transaction support, resulting in an overall uplift in consideration. Peter Mavroghenis, director of Shoreside Law, said: “We were very pleased to work with PEMCF on this transaction. Phil and Cameron did a fantastic job, providing excellent, timely and, most importantly, commercial advice to us at Shoreside and we are very grateful for their invaluable contributions in getting this deal completed.”
Suffolk haulier acquires new Scania trucks
Suffolk-based family-run haulier Bacton Transport has acquired 11 new Scania trucks, supplied by TruckEast at Bury St Edmunds. Fuel efficiency, back-up and reliability were key factors in the choice of the Swedish marque for the Woolpit-based firm. Operating across the UK and to support the increase in construction work, the trucks will clock up to 140,000 kms annually. Founded in 1932 to support a family farm, Bacton Transport has a 70-strong mixed marque fleet with operating centres in Woolpit and Nottingham and has diversified into contract distribution: serving supermarkets, horticultural retailers, and pallet networks.
Law firm makes ten promotions to partner
Birketts has made a series of internal promotions involving ten new partners which takes the total number of partners at the law firm to 127. Joining the partnership are: Amanda Early, commercial property; Claire Tenwick, private client advisory; Emily O’Donnell, private client advisory; Jennifer Leeder, employment; Juliet Harvey, family; Kate Harris, private wealth disputes; Kevin Wilson, ecclesiastical; Patrick Cooney, construction; Sarah Hickey, private client advisory; Tom Carley, residential property. Their progression reflects the continued success of the firm which in the last 12 months has seen it establish a foothold in the South East through its newest office in Sevenoaks and a move to new office space in the capital at One London Wall. Chief executive Jonathan Agar said: “All ten of our newest partners bring a unique set of skills that complement each other, strengthening our firm’s partnership to play a role in taking Birketts to the next level.”
New directors appointed at financial planning division
Lovewell Blake Financial Planning has appointed Stephen Metcalf and Scott Hansell as directors. Stephen Metcalf has over 30 years’ experience in the profession and is responsible for the division’s teams of consultants and paraplanners. Scott Hansell has over two decades’ experience in the sector, in administrative and advisory roles and is a financial adviser based in the firm’s Great Yarmouth office. Lovewell Blake Financial Planning managing director Neil Orford said: “Lovewell Blake has a great reputation for developing new talent, and Stephen and Scott’s career progression within our financial planning division is a great example of how we develop and nurture our people and provide clear career progression opportunities.”
Photo (l-r): Stephen Metcalf, Neil Orford and Scott Hansell.
Full fibre network build for completed for market town
East of England rural provider County Broadband has completed the building of its gigabit-speed full fibre infrastructure in Sudbury in Suffolk. Around 6,200 premises have been connected to the fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) infrastructure – which is up to 11 times quicker than current copper superfast networks – as part of a multi-million-pound large-scale infrastructure build work across the market town. County Broadband is building full fibre broadband in over 250 villages and market towns across the East of England, backed by a combined £146 million of private investment from Aviva Investors. James Salmon, director of corporate development at County Broadband, said: “We are pleased to complete our full fibre network build in the historic Suffolk market town of Sudbury which will benefit from the unrivalled network reliability and significantly faster gigabit speeds that the new infrastructure provides.” County Broadband has also extended its sponsorship of Sudbury Rugby Club for the rest of the current 2023/24 season and the club will receive a £50 donation each time a referred resident or local business connects to its full fibre network.
Cambridge company employees achieve chemistry accreditation
Two employees at Cambridge company Domino Printing have achieved a prestigious accreditation from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). Chemists Federica Lisa and Edward Field have secured Chartered Chemist (CChem) status through the Domino–RSC Accredited Scheme. The scheme has three in-house co-ordinators at Domino: Dr Steven Lancaster, analytical team leader, Christina Bird, senior analytical chemist and Fiona Calver, senior ink verification specialist. Christina Bird said: “This internationally recognised award requires chemical scientists to maintain high professional standards through continued learning and reflective practice. Our RSC-Accredited Training Scheme is delighted to support candidates on their journey to chartership.” Domino’s RSC-Accredited Training Scheme has been running since 2013 and since then, 18 chemists have achieved Chartered Chemists status.
Photo: Federica Lisa and Edward Field with their certificates.
Golfers able to play courses from around the world at transformed driving range
Golfers can now play courses all around the world at Wyboston Lakes Resort, west of Cambridge, since its driving range has been transformed with the latest software and technology in the sector. The range, now named Pinseekers, features 13 heated bays, all with Trackman software. It lets guests play virtual courses from around the world, set up competitions for long drive or nearest the pin and offers a wide range of games suitable for all ages and skill levels. The range also includes two robots, one to mow the grass, and the other to collect golf balls. Meanwhile, Woody’s Lounge, a new social seating area has been created for guests and clients with a refurbishment using recycled and reclaimed materials. Dale Shaw, hotel manager, said: “Local golfers, those working in serviced offices on site, hotel, conference and training centre guests can all enjoy this great new facility either as a way to improve their golf at their leisure or as a social activity.”
