First turbine sets record on huge new windfarm off Suffolk coast
The new East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm being built off the Suffolk coast has set a UK record with the installation of its first turbine – the first to feature 115 metre blades, each one longer than a football pitch. All 285 of the blades for the project’s 95 turbines are being made at Siemens Gamesa’s factory in Hull. They are around 262 metres tall – higher than the observation deck at the Shard – and a single revolution will produce enough electricity to power a UK home for over four days. ScottishPower Renewables’ £4.3 billion East Anglia THREE will be one of the world’s largest offshore windfarms powering the equivalent of 1.3 million homes. Charlie Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables CEO, said: “This is a defining moment – and a UK industry first – for ScottishPower, Iberdrola and Masdar as we celebrate and accelerate the deployment of homegrown renewable energy at scale.” He added: “East Anglia THREE will be the biggest and most powerful offshore windfarm in our portfolio. That means billions of pounds invested in UK and global supply chains; thousands of jobs supported during construction; more than a hundred long-term roles created in the East of England; and greater energy security, with more clean power coming on to the grid than ever before.” The 1.4 GW wind farm, some 30 miles off the Suffolk coast, is expected to start operating later this year and will support 2,300 jobs during construction. The turbine installation was undertaken by Cadeler’s O-class Wind Osprey jack-up vessel.
Sale of cycle retailer completed by joint administrators
Joint administrators of bike retailer Thomas’s Cycle Revolution – which has branches in Ipswich, Colchester and Norwich – have completed a sale of the business and certain assets to Giant UK, a major brand in the sector. Administrators were appointed in March at TCR which sells bikes, cycling accessories, clothing and shoes and has a repair service. Dominic Dumville, partner at Mercer & Hole and joint administrator, said: “The successful completion of this transaction has ensured a well-known family business continues to operate in East Anglia preserving 21 jobs throughout the region. The sale will also result in a better return for creditors.”
Ian Beasant, managing director of Giant UK, said: “These stores have long been an important part of the Giant UK network, so we’re very pleased to secure their future and build on the strong foundations already in place.”
Further growth planned at law firm’s social housing team
A social housing team at one of the region’s larger law firms is planning further expansion to meet growing demand from housing associations, local authorities and housebuilder clients. Howes Pericval’s specialist social housing team has grown from two to eight since it was set up in 2022 and its turnover has almost doubled in the last three years. The most recent addition to the team, Holly Hunt, joined as an associate having trained at a large housing association. The team’s growth has also been reflected in promotions at the firm with Jonathan Parker, a specialist social housing solicitor becoming a partner and Katie Reading being promoted to senior associate. Estelle Corner, partner and head of the social housing team, said: “… We have seen a series of new client wins in the past 12 months along with a significant increase in work from existing clients. …. Continuing to invest in our team helps us to support more clients accessing Homes England’s grant funding programme to help meet the government’s ambitious target to build 1.5 million homes by 2029.”
Photo (l-r): Katie Reading, Estelle Corner, Jonathan Parker and Holly Hunt.
Four new partners join law firm
Four new partners have joined law firm Birketts’ partnership which – after five recent internal promotions – takes the number of partners at the firm to 156. In the firm’s family team, Sebastian Burrows will be based in Birketts’ Cambridge office, while Mary Gaskins will join its rapidly growing Bristol team. Paula Macnamara joins the firm’s expanding banking and finance team in London from Simmons & Simmons and specialises in all aspects of real estate finance. David Richards is a specialist in construction litigation and joins the firm’s construction team in Norwich. Chris Schwer, senior partner, said: “…. Collectively they bring a wide range of experience, and their arrival will enable us to continue to deliver top tier legal support to both new and existing clients. I’m looking forward to working with them as we look ahead to the next stages of the firm’s growth.”
Photo (l-r): top – Sebastian Burrows, Mary Gaskins; bottom – Paula Macnamara, David Richards
Three new experienced appointments at law firm
Bury St Edmunds-based Greene & Greene Solicitors has made three new appointments across its legal and business services teams. Annabel Mayer joins the firm’s commercial disputes team as a senior associate, specialising in property litigation with over 12 years’ experience advising businesses, landowners, landlords, tenants and private individuals across Suffolk and the wider region. George Payne joins as an associate in the firm’s agricultural property team with a strong background in rural property and landed estates, having spent several years advising on complex agricultural and estate matters. Rachael Tecklenberg joins Greene & Greene as head of finance. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants with over 25 years’ experience in finance. The firm’s managing partner, Simon Ratcliffe, said: “Together, their experience strengthens the firm as a whole, supporting our legal teams and the wider business operations that enable us to continue providing high quality, specialist advice to our clients.”
Photo (l-r) Annable Mayer, Rachael Tecklenberg and George Payne
New toolkit launched to help event planners communicate dietary needs
After Allergy Awareness Week (20–26 April), Meet Cambridge is supporting the launch of a new resource to help event planners, venues and caterers communicate dietary needs clearly, consistently and safely across all types of events. The Dietary Requirements at Events Toolkit also addresses religious, cultural and lifestyle requirements, to meet the need for a more inclusive and standardised approach to dietary provision across the sector. The toolkit was developed by the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) Dietary Requirements at Events Taskforce and will be launched at the ABPCO Festival of Learning on 30 April The taskforce was initially formed by Clare Beach, PCO and managing director at Azura Events. Meet Cambridge, as an ABPCO member, played a leading role within the taskforce, helping to shape the guidance and practical tools. Anita Macdonald, deputy marketing manager of Meet Cambridge and now leading the ABPCO Dietary Requirements at Events taskforce, said: “As events become increasingly international, differences in regulations, such as varying allergen lists across countries, can create confusion and risk. A more harmonised approach, combined with ongoing industry education and practical guidance, would be a major step forward.”
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