Logistics firms turn gloomy but stay on the acquisition trail
Optimism amongst logistics businesses – a key force in the economy in Suffolk and Norfolk – has fallen to lowest level in 14 years although many firms in the sector are still planning to make acquisitions. The Barclays-BDO UK logistics confidence index 2025 fell to 40.4, down from 57.6 in 2024 and below the Covid low of 47.1 five years ago. The fall is being blamed on tough challenges facing logistics operators and haulage businesses due to higher costs a sluggish economy, cautious consumers and geopolitical tensions. Nearly seven in ten firms in the sector say current trading conditions are more difficult than last year with half expecting them to remain tough in the next 12 months. Some 62 per cent of respondents expect lower profits and most firms plan to cut costs over the year ahead through measures such as shared transport and warehousing. Whilst a quarter of respondents to the survey have been involved with mergers & acquisitions in the past year. nearly a third are likely to make an acquisition over the coming year. Jason Whitworth, partner at BDO, said: “Despite a drop in sentiment, what our research repeatedly shows is deep-rooted resilience in the sector and an ability to bounce back from adversity, as we have seen time and again over the many years of tracking industry sentiment. Those that continue to embrace change through the likes of AI and automation will be ready to take advantage of an economic upturn and will come through the current economic challenges.”
Cambridge emerges as ‘2nd best city’ for business start-ups
Cambridge has been ranked as the second-best city in the UK to start a new business in a study. It looked at factors such as business closure rates, five-year startup survival rates, broadband speeds and household income growth. Cambridge achieved an overall score of 33.8 out of 40, driven by strong results across the board. The city recorded a five year survival score of 9.4/10. The study by Markel Direct, an insurer of small businesses, also showed that Norwich ranked as the 12th top city to start a business with a five year survival score of 6.2/10. Rob Rees, divisional director at Markel Direct, said: “Small businesses are the backbone of the UK, and many of the cities in our study are ideal locations for startups to thrive. Whilst running a successful business is influenced by factors beyond solely location, having access to superfast internet, a local talent pool and business support networks can provide your venture with the best start in the pivotal early days.” The study found that Gen Z owners were more likely to turn to newer financing methods such as crowdfunding or business competitions rather than traditional methods such as personal savings. Belfast ranked as the top UK city to start a business and Exeter was ranked third.
Over 50 firms from region ranked in new guide to legal sector
More than 50 law firms in East Anglia are ranked in the new 2026 Legal 500 guide to the sector with over 300 rankings given across all practice areas and tiers. Birketts, with 33 rankings, stands out as the firm with the broadest coverage in East Anglia, followed by Mills & Reeve with 30 and Ashtons Legal with 23. The guide sees almost 500 individually-ranked lawyers, spread across leading associates, next generation partners, leading individuals and the ‘hall of fame’. Their distribution follows the pattern for major firms, with Birketts (with 87 rankings), Mills & Reeve (74) and Ashtons Legal (47) seeing the largest numbers. The Legal 500 guide said the region’s legal market is driven by SMEs and owner-managed businesses and law firms inevitably benefit from the tech and life sciences companies clustered around Cambridge and growing businesses spun out from the university. Real estate developments remain a key source of work for firms, through housing, commercial and mixed-use schemes across the the region, but particularly in Norwich and Peterborough. www.legal500.com/launch-uk/
Norfolk-based wealth management firm acquired by national group
Norfolk financial advisers Allen Tomas & Co has become part of Fairstone, a national wealth management group. Headed by independent financial planners Ben Allen and Michael Crisp, Allen Tomas & Co has been providing investment, retirement planning and wealth management services to individuals and businesses from its office in Dersingham since 2014. The Norfolk firm is looking to expand further under the Fairstone banner by taking advantage of its London-based in-house investment management team and its size in the market. Ben Allen said: “Having an expert investment management team in the City that we can rely on and trust makes a real difference. This is turn provides our clients with access to Fairstone’s investment solutions which are tailored to their differing needs and objectives.” Allen Tomas & Co. currently advises more than 260 clients and manages £120m worth of client assets and has four support staff. Fairstone has 1,250 staff, more than 60,000 clients and manages £20bn of assets. Photo: Fairstone group managing director Russell Bignall (centre) with (left) Michael Crisp and (right) Ben Allen.
Hospitality group acquires north Norfolk hotel after securing £20 million financing
Chestnut Group, a hospitality company in the region, is to expand with the acquisition of Titchwell Manor Hotel in north Norfolk and potentially make further purchases in the sector after receiving £20 million in new financing from Metro Bank. The group, now owns 26 pubs and hotels across the East of England including The Ship at Dunwich and the Westleton Crown. The new finance package involves a £10m revolving credit line and £10m commercial loan and takes Metro Bank’s total support to £50million. Philip Turner at Chestnut Group said: “We are passionate about what we do and it’s refreshing to feel the same enthusiasm from our bank.”
Housebuilder buys land for 650 homes in Thetford
Housebuilder Persimmon Homes Anglia has signed up to deliver more than 650 new houses as part of wider 5,000-home development on the edge of Thetford in south Norfolk. The company has bought 82 acres of land off Norwich Road in Kilverstone as part of the wider Kingsfleet development. More than 60 properties are earmarked for affordable homes. The sale was agreed by Savills Cambridge for development manager Pigeon and site owners the Kilverstone Estate and The Crown Estate. Michelle Baker, regional managing director for Persimmon Homes Anglia, said: “With over 650 new homes planned, this development will not only help meet local housing demand but also create new jobs and opportunities across the region. Its strategic location near the A11 and Cambridge makes it an exciting prospect for future growth, and we’re proud to be investing in the area.”
Tom Fraser at Savills Cambridge, said: “We had strong interest from a number of parties but from the outset Persimmon demonstrated a capacity to meet the requirements of the site owners.”
Regional law firm unveils new flagship Colchester hq
Regional law firm Fisher Jones Greenwood has unveiled its revamped Colchester head office at Severalls Business Park. The newly-refurbished 6,000 sq ft flagship space marks a major investment in the future of the firm, which is a member of Lawfront. The three-level premises have been designed with staff wellbeing and modern working practices in mind. The space includes flexible work areas, quiet zones, sustainable elements, and tech-ready meeting rooms. Paula Fowler, CEO of FJG, said: “Our refurbished Colchester head office reflects not only our growth and ambition, but also our unwavering commitment to placing our people, clients and the local community at the centre of everything we do.”
Meanwhile, FJG has cemented its status as one of the region’s top law firms in the 2026 Legal 500 rankings. For the 12th year running the firm’s family law team, led by Charlotte Knappett, has maintained its Tier 1 status. FJG also features in six other practice areas in the rankings: commercial litigation (Tier 2) personal injury (Tier 3); immigration (Tier 3); commercial property (Tier 3) ; personal tax, trusts, and probate (Tier 3) – and corporate and commercial (Tier 3 – up one tier) – led by partner Ashton Carter. The rankings also highlight individuals at the firm: one leading partner (chairman Tony Fisher) and four ‘next generation’ partners (Rachel Earnshaw, (family Law); Ashlee Campbell, (head of immigration); Ashton Carter, (head of commercial law) and Keeley Miller. Photo: Tony Fisher, FJG chairman, and Paula Fowler, CEO, cut the ribbon to open the new offices alongside staff.
