Norwich-based consultancy launches growth plan with acquisition
Lanpro, a Norwich-based planning, environment and design consultancy, has acquired CarneySweeney, a planning consultancy with offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter and London. The move is the first stage of a five year growth plan at Lanpro which works widely across the East and provides a ‘one-stop’ offer in the sector. CarneySweeney will bring a team of 35 experienced planners to Lanpro at a time when there is an acute shortage of professionals in the sector. Lanpro said the expansion will enable it to support its clients in responding to the government’s growth plans and on its work which ranges from housing, commercial and retail schemes to green infrastructure and data centres. Chris Leeming (photo, left) CEO of Lanpro, said: “CarneySweeney is a natural fit for Lanpro. We have built our business on collaboration between different disciplines and this acquisition delivers on those objectives. It’s an acquisition of talent and expertise rather than one of efficiencies: our stated intention is to broaden, not consolidate.” The firm plans to bring other professional services firms into the group and its ambition is to be the largest independent multi-disciplinary business in the UK.
Paula Carney (right), director of CarneySweeney, said: “Joining Lanpro provides the scale and support to assist our current and future clients. We’re also now able to offer clients easy access to a wider range of in-house disciplines and a stronger national reach while keeping the same dedicated team they’ve always worked with…”
Relief on business taxes but budget seen as ‘lacking strategic direction’
Businesses in the region expressed relief at the absence of any significant new business taxes but showed little enthusiasm for the budget. Suffolk Chamber said that whilst it provided ‘small tactical wins’ the budget was ‘lacking in strategic direction and transformation’. It was seen as a missed opportunity to introduce more fundamental reforms to boost longer-term business investment and growth plans.
Peter Harrup, tax partner and head of BDO in East Anglia, said: “After months of speculation, kite flying, pitch rolling and u-turns, it’s a relief to finally have some clarity on the way ahead for tax – even if the changes may be painful. Businesses can now start to plan with more confidence, and we hope that the removal of some of the uncertainty will provide a much-needed boost to the economy.“
Mags Humphrey, chair of Suffolk Chamber’s Bank of England panel and group finance director at Broadwater Mouldings, expressed concern about the disappointing estimates beyond this year for growth and productivity from the OBR.
Positives
The extension of the age cap for fully-funded apprenticeship training for SMEs from under-21s to under-25s and the launch of a pilot of a new advance assurance offer for firms claiming R&D Tax Relief, were welcomed by Suffolk Chamber. The shift from two to five business rates multipliers, resulting in lower multipliers for the smallest firms, with extra reductions for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, also won approval. Other positives include the 40 per cent capital allowance enabling business to write off more of their upfront investment costs. Farming enterprises should welcome the changes to agricultural and business property relief for IHT under which spouses and partners will no longer be worse off as any unused allowance for the 100pc rate of relief will now be transferable. Meanwhile, the exclusion of the horseracing sector from increases in the gambling tax is a major win for Newmarket and the west Suffolk economy.
Property firm appoints experienced former CEO as head of estate agency
Property agency Fenn Wright has appointed Ian Fry as equity partner and head of estate agency to lead the firm’s residential team. He worked for Connells Group for 28 years and progressed from being a front desk estate agent to group chief executive (estate agency). Miranda Sandison, managing partner of Fenn Wright said: “With a proven track record and a wealth of industry expertise in the residential sector, we are pleased to welcome Ian to the partnership and look forward to working closely with him as we continue to expand and unlock new opportunities.”
As part of the senior management team, Ian Fry contributed to Connells’ successful development and expansion and left in January. He said: “… Living in Suffolk, I have long admired Fenn Wright as a trusted, established and respected brand with a long history in Essex and Suffolk. It is a part of the world I know very well, and I look forward to the opportunity to influence the next stage of growth in the business, working alongside my fellow equity partners and the wider estate agency team.”
Property group appoints associate to growing development team
Property developer and investor Turnstone Estates has appointed Charlie Clark as an associate in its growing development team. He joins from Carter Jonas, where he spent seven years in the Cambridge commercial agency team. At Turnstone Estates, he will be supporting delivery of the company’s Bedford Interchange South scheme – a mixed commercial development close to the proposed Universal Studios site which is set to deliver 260 new jobs and give a boost to the local economy. Charlie Clark’s previous work has included acquisitions, leasing, sales, investment and development consultancy for clients such as Royal Mail, South Cambs DC, Trinity Hall College, and Downing College. Tim Deacon, managing director, Turnstone Estates, said: “…. we know he will provide the expertise and attention to detail that Turnstone Estates is known for, with a focus on identifying new industrial and mixed-use opportunities across the East of England.”
Ipswich theatre completes £3.45 million redevelopment
Regent Theatre in Ipswich, the region’s largest such performance venue and a cultural landmark since 1929, has completed a £3.45 million front-of-house redevelopment. While preserving and enhancing the Art Deco building’s historic character, the project has improved comfort, accessibility and sustainability for the 190,000 theatregoers who visit each year. The work has included exterior upgrades and interior improvements including the restoration of the grand foyer and new bars and a refurbished Crush Hall and Circle Lounge. A grand reopening is planned on Friday 12 December when the festive pantomime Cinderella takes to the stage.
- Making sense of the equity bounce-back
- Discover more insights in Brown Shipley’s latest market and investment update: Market Overview – Trade Deals, Earnings & Interest Rates Insights
- Investing puts your capital at risk
