East Midlands law firm introduces new diploma in Wills, Trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands law firm introduces new diploma in Wills, Trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney

Derby-based law firm Right Legal Group has created a new diploma in Wills, Trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney, in collaboration with the Institute of Paralegals (IoP).

The diploma gives advisers, who may not be legal executives or solicitors or have a first degree in law, the opportunity to obtain an industry recognised and highly accredited qualification via an alternative route.

The collaboration between Right Legal Group and the IoP represents an innovation within the private client sector, with the law firm obtaining the endorsement of a highly respected provider of qualifications and training.

The diploma is provided through The Right Legal Group Training Academy and in order to achieve the diploma status, advisers are required to complete a six-week foundation level class room training programme, a six-month supervision and final assessment.

Ciara Wynne at Right Legal Group will be the first to obtain the full diploma, with other advisers having already met the qualifying criteria and await to complete their supervision.

Carrie Caladine, Managing Director at Right Legal Group, said: “We established this diploma, in conjunction with the IoP, to highlight achievements across our field, and our training academy helps a number of hardworking employees to build their credibility.

“Working with the IoP allows our advisers to develop their skills and training to enable them to move forward in their legal careers. I’m incredibly proud of every member who is working towards the diploma status and congratulate Ciara as our first graduate. We wish everyone the best of luck in their final supervisions.”

The Right Legal Group Training Academy has to date trained more than 150 advisers, since its inception in 2019. The courses delivered by the academy include pre-death and post-death advising at foundation, intermediate and advanced levels.

Leicester among global ‘A list’ for leadership on climate action

Tess Egginton
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Leicester among global ‘A list’ for leadership on climate action
Leicester has retained its place as a global leader on climate action, achieving a top score on CDP’s ‘Cities A List’. It means Leicester is one of 122 cities to receive an A score from environmental impact charity CDP for bold leadership, ambition and transparency on environmental action, its response to the climate emergency, despite the pressures of a challenging economic situation. This year, for the first time, over 1,000 cities received a rating for their climate action from CDP, with Leicester among the 12 per cent to receive the top A rating. To score an A, a city must have a city-wide emissions inventory, have set an emissions reduction target, published a climate action plan and have completed a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how it will tackle climate hazards now and in the future, among other actions. CDP celebrated Leicester and the 121 other cities on the A List for showing urgent and impactful climate action, having ambitious emission reduction targets, and for building resilience against climate change. Its analysis also shows that A List cities are taking twice as many mitigation and adaptation measures as non-A List cities. Deputy city mayor Cllr Adam Clarke, who leads on environment and transportation, said: “We’re immensely proud to be recognised by CDP for our work on climate action and ambition to become a carbon net zero city. “When we launched our first Climate Emergency Strategy in 2020, we were under no illusion about the scale of the challenge we had set ourselves as a city. “As a council, we are already working hard to cut our own emissions and to support local people, schools and business to make the changes needed to help reduce the city’s overall carbon footprint. We have a good record on carbon reduction which we can continue to build on. But we know we need to do much more and to do it rapidly. “To meet our ambitions as a city will require significant and ongoing support from the Government and local stakeholders. We all have a role to play.” Since launching the first Leicester Climate Emergency Action Plan in 2020, Leicester City Council has led on a range of initiatives and secured external funding representing an investment of over £120million in low carbon initiatives. This includes:
  • Investment of over £14million in the UK’s first carbon neutral bus station building, which opened in June as part of the St Margaret’s Gateway regeneration project
  • Progress on an £80million citywide programme of investment in sustainable transport backed by £40million from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF)
  • Investment of around £25million secured through the Salix Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme for low carbon, energy efficient improvements to more than 90 council buildings, including schools, leisure centres, libraries and community centres.
  • A successful bid for £19million of Government funding towards a £47million investment in increasing the city’s fleet of electric buses to over 100, backed by local bus operators Arriva and FirstBus
  • Launching an £8million programme of work that will see external insulation fitted to over 400 homes in the city, including council houses and housing association properties
  • Securing £19million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for new low carbon workspaces at Pioneer Park and Ian Marlow Centre.
Latest annual figures provided by the Government’s department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) show that Leicester’s overall carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for 2020 were 1,209 ktCO2e. This represents a reduction of almost 50 per cent on the city’s 1990 baseline of 2,388.3 ktCO2e.

Duo of off market lettings secured at Amber Business Centre

Tess Egginton
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Duo of off market lettings secured at Amber Business Centre
FHP Property Consultants have secured lettings at units 13.1 and 14.4 Amber Business Centre, Derbyshire, on behalf of private clients. Amber Business Centre is an established industrial estate situated within 10 minutes of Junction 28 of the M1 motorway via the A38. The two properties comprise mid-terraced industrial/warehouse units benefiting from roller shutter loading doors and a recent refurbishment. Both 13.1 and 14.4 have been let on new lease terms for a period of 5 years at a rent equating to £11.00 per ft² and £10.00 per ft² respectively. Jamie Gilbertson, surveyor at FHP Property Consultants, says: “I am delighted to have completed these lettings. Following an initial call with our client I was able to place these under offer before we had actually listed them on the market. “We have a strong database of active enquires which enabled us to match the property with an actively seeking business. This has been an excellent result for both our client and the tenant and I wish them every success. “There is still good demand for quality small warehouse units and we are pleasingly placing units under offer and completing transactions on a weekly basis. We still have a couple units available on the estate, one unit is 1,272ft2 and the other unit is 618ft2 but these will be in high demand.”

Fraudulent builder prosecuted

Tess Egginton
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Fraudulent builder prosecuted
A rogue builder who defrauded three households by taking money for work which was never carried out will have to pay £57,000 to his victims. Trevor Anthony Lawrence – who is also known as Trevor Fail – pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading at Leicester Crown Court this week, following an investigation brought by Leicester City Council trading standards officers. The court heard how Lawrence, aged 58, was living in Bakehouse Lane, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, at the time of the offences, and had been trading under the name of Max Crest. Lawrence, who now lives in Spain, was charged under the Fraud Act 2006 in relation to home improvement works in Hamilton, Leicester, as well as at two other addresses in London between January 2016 and January 2018. Leicester Crown Court heard how Lawrence obtained large sums of money for home improvements which were either never carried out or done to a very poor standard. He also took payment for materials which he never provided or even purchased. Investigations into Lawrence’s business began after a customer reported concerns to Leicester City Council in 2016, and two more victims came forward via Action Fraud in 2018. In one instance the investigator was provided with a fake invoice for goods. Evidence also showed that Lawrence had submitted no tax returns during the period when the fraud was taking place. The court was told how Lawrence had a long previous history of fraud offences committed under the name of Trevor Fail, had been made bankrupt on a number of occasions and was a disqualified company director at the time of the most recent offences. This week, His Honour Judge Spencer KC sentenced Lawrence to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years. As part of his plea, Lawrence will pay back £57,000 to the victims. Charges against two other defendants, one of which had since died, will lie on file. Leicester City Council’s trading standards manager, Ronald Ruddock, said: “Home improvements frauds cause a great deal of inconvenience and distress to the victims. “It important that householders do not pay up front for works that have not yet been undertaken. Only pay after works are completed and do not transfer large amounts of money upfront in the hope of saving money further down the line. “Make sure you carry out checks on the builders before employing them – information can be found on Companies house, the registry trust and you can make general searches of the internet and that the contract is in writing. “We are pleased that in this case, the defendant will pay back money he took from the people he defrauded.”

Browne Jacobson welcomes former Jack Wills CEO as a non-executive director

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Browne Jacobson welcomes former Jack Wills CEO as a non-executive director
Law firm Browne Jacobson has appointed Suzanne Harlow as non-executive director of its retail, consumer & logistics sector. Suzanne was previously Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RSL Awards and global lifestyle brand Jack Wills. Suzanne has also held a variety of senior executive and Board positions whilst at Debenhams. Suzanne has extensive experience within retail covering a wide range of fashion, home and premium beauty brands, both in the domestic and international markets. This is one of of several sector-driven appointments for Browne Jacobson’s corporate sector in recent months which includes leading General Counsel (GC), Anneliese Reinhold as the firm’s first non-executive chair of its corporate sectoral strategy board. Working closely with partner Declan Cushley, who leads the firm’s corporate sector market group, and partner and head of Browne Jacobson’s corporate retail, consumer & logistics sector, Roland Gray, Suzanne will bring a wealth of specialist retail NED expertise to support the firm and its lawyers in driving the retail & consumer sector strategy, which is part of the wider corporate sector strategy. Declan Cushley said: “We are pleased to welcome Suzanne as our NED for our retail, consumer and logistics sector. She has a first-class profile in the retail industry, helping to develop and build some of the UK’s leading retail, fashion, home and beauty brands over the last 30 years. Her knowledge and expertise of the sector will be incredibly valuable to us, and a huge asset to our retail client base. “It also endorses our O Shaped partnership commitments to being a law firm that is striving for effective change, across the legal landscape and the sectors and industries we are supporting.” Suzanne said: “I’m delighted to be working with Browne Jacobson as they develop a deeper sector driven approach and I’m looking forward to supporting the retail, consumer and logistics team in achieving its strategic aims.” Roland Gray added: “We know that cultural and political changes have massively impacted the retail sector in recent years, changing how, when and why consumers shop. To have someone of Suzanne’s considerable experience, gives us first-hand insight into these changes and challenges, and will help us become even more aligned to what our clients are facing. We are delighted to have her on board with us.”

200 Degrees opens doors to Derby shop this weekend

Michael Fisher
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200 Degrees opens doors to Derby shop this weekend
East Midlands-based coffee roaster 200 Degrees is opening the doors to its new Derby coffee shop in Derbion shopping centre, this Saturday 19 November. Located next to Boots on the ground floor of Derbion, the new coffee shop can seat more than 60 people and has brought 12 full-time and part-jobs to Derby. Customers will recognise 200 Degrees’ iconic fireplace, antique armchairs and rustic “Hand Made in England” feature wall. The shop will also feature a snug ‘secret’ seating area as well as tables, chairs and benches. The new Derby coffee shop is the roaster’s 18th across England and Wales and is the 7th in the East Midlands; with shops in Lincoln, Leicester, Nottingham and at McArthur Glen East Midlands Designer Outlet. Freshly roasted coffee, from the 200 Degrees roast house in Nottingham, will be served in the new shop, as well as hot chocolate, smoothies and milkshakes. 200 Degrees will also be serving delicious food, such as deli-style sandwiches, baguettes, cakes and pastries – including vegan and gluten-free options – which are available to eat in or takeaway. The opening follows a successful and busy year for 200 Degrees, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary last month (October) and recently launched its new recyclable packaging and introduced recyclable coffee pods. Rob Darby, CEO at 200 Degrees, said: “We’re thrilled about the opening of our new shop in Derby. We’ve been wanting to set up shop here for some time, being East Midlands-based, and Derbion is the perfect spot. “Looking back at where the 200 Degrees journey started, I feel very proud of what we’ve achieved together and feel grateful for our loyal customers. “Each new shop opening feels like such a huge win, and I’m delighted with the team’s efforts and hard work. We look forward to serving our coffee to the Derby community!” Coffee lovers can also purchase freshly roasted beans, new coffee pods, coffee machines and home brew equipment in store, to recreate the distinctive 200 Degrees taste at home.    

Frasers Group secures 1,000 jobs with Coventry Building Society Arena purchase

Tess Egginton
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Frasers Group secures 1,000 jobs with Coventry Building Society Arena purchase
Shirebrook-based Frasers Group has snapped up Coventry Building Society Arena, securing up to 1,000 jobs. Andrew Sheridan and Raj Mittal, partners at specialist business advisory firm FRP, were appointed as joint administrators of Arena Coventry Limited (ACL), Arena Coventry (2006) Limited and IEC Experience Limited. They immediately completed the sale of the businesses, including ownership of the Coventry Building Society Arena, to certain entities controlled by Frasers Group Plc. Joint administrator Andrew Sheridan said: “This is a pleasing outcome, which helps secure up to 1,000 jobs in Coventry and ensures that the venue will continue to play a major role in the city’s economy as a world-class entertainment and hospitality venue and home for Coventry City Football Club. “By agreeing to sign an exclusivity agreement before the 1st November, Frasers Group was the only interested party that was able to meet the terms of the sale process. This was essential in providing the necessary funding that enabled the Arena to continue trading beyond that date. “Without this, and the collaborative and supportive approach taken by all key stakeholders throughout the process as well as the tireless efforts of the core management team, the Arena would have been forced to close on 2nd November resulting in hundreds of job losses and a materially worse outcome for creditors. We wish Frasers Group and all involved in the Arena every success for the future.” A spokesperson for Frasers Group said: “We are delighted with the acquisition of the CBS Arena which will complement the group’s existing portfolio of brands and investments. Through the acquisition, we are pleased to have been able to secure a long term future for the Arena, protecting jobs and supporting the local community. In particular, we are looking forward to working with Coventry City Football Club.” A spokesperson for the Coventry Building Society Arena said: “We are delighted that Frasers Group have acquired the arena. This will see the doors of this flagship venue remain open and continue to play a strategic part in the City of Coventry’s economic tourism plan. “It is a great result for everyone who uses the venue for business, sport, and music as we now can continue with what we do best and that’s providing hospitality at is best. “We would like to thank all of our staff, suppliers and tenants who have worked so hard to ensure that it has been ‘business as normal’ during the past weeks. Our thanks also go to our key stakeholders, Coventry City Football Club, Delaware North UK, Coventry City Council and Coventry Building Society, for their ongoing support and collaboration.” FRP was advised by Burges Salmon LLP during the process.

£1 million share offer announced by Derbyshire pharmaceutical company

Tess Egginton
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£1 million share offer announced by Derbyshire pharmaceutical company
Derbyshire-based N4 Pharma has launched a broker offer to raise a maximum of £1 million. It is initially expected that £0.25 million will be raised in the offer, though if oversubscribed it may be extended. The issue price of the broker offer is 2 pence per new ordinary share. Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited is agent for the company. N4 Pharma is a specialist pharmaceutical company developing Nuvec®, a novel delivery system for cancer treatments and vaccines.

Derbyshire abrasives businesses acquired

Tess Egginton
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Derbyshire abrasives businesses acquired
Phoenix Naylor Abrasives and Jowitt Abrasives, both based in Derbyshire, have been acquired by North West-based Trade Acquisition Partners Limited (TAP) in its first set of investments. The deals come alongside two others in the UK abrasives and engineering sector, of West Midlands-based Swift & Whitmore Ltd, and Northern Abrasives located in Urmston, Greater Manchester.
TAP director, Ian Davidson, said: “We are delighted to have been able to acquire these long standing and successful businesses and look forward to working with the existing management teams to secure further growth through innovation and investment in both people and technology.”
The businesses have a deep rooted knowledge in the development, manufacture and distribution of abrasive and grinding solutions for multiple applications across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. TAP added in a statement: “TAP are delighted to open their portfolio with a complimentary mix of businesses and will be looking to add value to each of the businesses in due course.” They are now considering other owner managed businesses seeking to exit or require additional capital to support growth or deliver a turnaround.

GMI Construction Group bolsters Midlands portfolio with over £100m of regional investment

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GMI Construction Group bolsters Midlands portfolio with over £100m of regional investment
GMI Construction Group has boosted its Midlands presence, having been awarded over £100m in projects across the region. GMI has signed deals on projects including £30m investment at the landmark Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby, a 155,000 sq ft logistics warehouse for St. Modwen Logistics in Birmingham and a retail park in Tamworth boasting brands such as Lidl and B&M. In Derby, work has commenced on the Becketwell development – the most significant development in Derby city centre since 2007 – which will see the completion of a GMI-built Build to Rent apartment block in 2023. GMI will also complete a bottling plant for a German client at Dove Valley, Foston, by December 2022. As part of its investment in the West Midlands, GMI has commenced build on various sites in Birmingham, including the development of a 102-unit residential project in the Jewellery Quarter, the regeneration of the former James Cond building for University College Birmingham and the development of a new student accommodation in Selly Oak. It has also recently completed a logistics warehouse for fashion retailer, ASOS, in Lichfield. Andy Bruce, divisional Managing Director at GMI, said: “The Midlands is a big area with even bigger potential and, as we continue to invest in the region, it’s expected to become our largest UK division. “As we further grow our pipeline of work in the Midlands, we will be collaborating with likeminded, forward-thinking organisations that align with our key purposes of sustainability and supporting the next generation of workers. “It’s an exciting time for the Midlands and we’re committed to supporting the region to grow and thrive in the future, mirroring the ambitions of the Midlands Engine to create positive change.”
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