2024 Business Predictions: Matt Sheridan, Senior Fundraising Manager, St Luke’s Hospice
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Matt Sheridan, Senior Fundraising Manager at St Luke’s – Sheffield’s Hospice, who shares predictions on corporate fundraising trends in 2024.
In 2024, the UK hospice sector is anticipated to witness a paradigm shift in corporate fundraising strategies, aligning with evolving societal values and technological advancements. Corporations will increasingly prioritise purpose-driven initiatives, fostering long-term partnerships with hospices to create meaningful social impact. Collaborations will transcend traditional philanthropy, focusing on innovative campaigns tailored to engage employees and customers.
Personalised and immersive experiences will drive corporate involvement, leveraging augmented reality and virtual reality to offer stakeholders a first-hand understanding of the hospice’s mission and impact. Interactive digital platforms will facilitate employee engagement, encouraging more people to volunteer and fundraise, fostering a sense of shared purpose among staff.
Moreover, sustainability and environmental consciousness will influence fundraising approaches, with companies emphasising eco-friendly events and initiatives that resonate with both the hospice cause and broader societal concerns. Collaborative efforts will prioritise community-building events, leveraging social media and crowdfunding to amplify reach and garner support from diverse demographics.
Partnerships will evolve beyond monetary contributions, emphasising skill-based volunteering, pro-bono services, and knowledge-sharing sessions to empower hospice staff and optimise operations. The symbiotic relationship between corporations and hospices will shift towards a more strategic, integrated, and mutually beneficial alliance, driving innovative fundraising strategies rooted in shared values and amplified social impact.
Knaresborough firm acquires Newcastle-based financial advice business
Knaresborough-based independent financial adviser and employee benefits consultants Prosperis Limited has acquired long-established Newcastle-based financial advice business Stephen McDine Limited.
Niall Gunn, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Prosperis Ltd., said: “We are delighted to have been able to acquire such a high-quality business, allowing us to continue to provide clients with an excellent level of service going forward.
“As an independently owned business, this acquisition will greatly benefit all clients. We are on track to add further locations within the Northeast as we continue with our growth plans.”
Paul Meehan, chairman, said: “These are exciting times for the whole Prosperis team, and we remain very acquisitive. The purchase of the Stephen McDine business sets us up nicely as we now move to the next phase of our strategy to buy more businesses. We expect to complete on another deal before the end of Q1 2024 in addition to further senior hires.”
Prosperis was established over 20 years ago and is based in Knaresborough. It manages in excess of £450m of client assets, employs 30 staff, and provides individual and corporate advice to more than 1,200 individual clients and businesses throughout the region.
LCF Law makes high-profile appointment in insolvency division
Experienced insolvency lawyer, Natalie Nattress, has become the latest partner to join LCF Law’s specialist insolvency division in the firm’s Leeds city centre office.
Natalie joins LCF Law from Knights and has worked in insolvency in Leeds for more than 22 years, dealing with all types of business recovery scenarios, as well as handling large scale investigations in bankruptcy and liquidation estates.
She now predominantly specialises in contentious insolvencies and deceased insolvent estates, which often involves investigating where money and assets are, before seeking to recover them on behalf of financial institutions, insolvency practitioners and individuals.
She will work alongside the insolvency division’s existing partners, comprising of Jo Barnes and Wayne Parker, as well as its additional four lawyers in the team who handle all types of corporate and personal insolvency cases.
Natalie said: “I’ve known Jo professionally for more than 20 years and although we’ve never worked for the same firm before, our paths have crossed many times. It’s always apparent that we have a similar way of working and both Jo and Wayne are also renowned for offering solid, no nonsense commercial advice, which is something I pride myself on, so there’s no doubt we will complement each other.
“Plus, LCF Law has a reputation for having strong core values and being a quality employer, which all combined to make this an appealing career move for me.”
LCF Law’s head of insolvency, Jo Barnes, added: “Natalie is very well-known in the world of insolvency and adds significant experience and expertise to our team. Her appointment also comes at a time of very high demand for our services due to our strong track record for securing victories in several landmark legal cases, as well as businesses being forced to navigate the current challenges facing certain areas of the economy.
“Natalie is therefore a very welcome addition to our team and there’s no doubt that her track-record in solving her clients’ financial problems will further strengthen the level of service and expertise that we are renowned for.”
Specialist pensions law firm bolsters team with two new associates
Pension lawyers Clare Pollard and Tom Cosgrove have joined Arc Pensions Law’s Leeds and London offices.
Clare brings broad pensions expertise to the firm, having grown her pensions practice during her seven-year tenure at Squire Patton Boggs.
She has wide-ranging experience advising clients on matters including the interpretation of scheme rules, eligibility for scheme benefits, scheme amendments, trust deed and rules re-writes, investments, pensions litigation and PPF entry/eligibility.
Tom joins from a position as a manager in the pensions legal team at PwC. He is proficient in both contentious and non-contentious matters, with notable expertise in matters relating to liability management exercises, corporate restructuring member complaints, and advice on the pensions aspects of corporate transactions.
Anna Rogers, senior partner, said: “Our clients continue to face pensions issues on every front – surplus, deficit, compliance, consolidation, insurance and M&A – and we’re delighted to welcome Tom and Clare to our growing team.”
High volume dispensing pharmacy sold to Lincolnshire operator
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold D L Ogle Pharmacy in Worcester to a Lincolnshire operator.
D L Ogle is a standard hours community pharmacy that dispenses an average of 12,000 items per month and is located in the Worcester city suburb of St Johns.
The business has been owned by David Ogle and his family for more than 30 years and was brought to market in 2023 to enable family members to either retire or pursue different business interests.
Following a confidential sales process with Carl Steer at Christie & Co, it has been purchased by brothers Ali and Mohammed Talib, Tapiwa Masamha and Chikondi Mlia, who also own Gohil’s Pharmacy and Whistlers Pharmacy in Lincolnshire, the latter also being sold by Christie & Co.
Carl Steer, director – Pharmacy at Christie & Co, says: “The sale was confidentially marketed but, within just a few days, interest was achieved from multiple parties, and we were able to present our client with an acceptable offer – this was a truly remarkable achievement but one that the long-standing business deserved.
“The buyers own two sizeable pharmacies in the East Midlands and now add this well-performing profitable pharmacy to their portfolio. It was a pleasure to deal with everyone on the deal.”
D L Ogle Pharmacy was sold freehold for an undisclosed price.
Lindum Group applies for permission to develop Overfield Park near Newark
Lincoln-based Lindum Group has submitted an Outline Planning Application to Newark and Sherwood Council to create an additional 450,000 sq ft floorspace of employment land at Overfield Park, Newark.
Subject to planning approval Lindum will buy 12 acres of the land to be included in the development from Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society, providing an economic boost for the Showground and expanding the current Overfield Park development to provide future employment opportunities for the district.
Dean Bower, Senior Development Manager at Lindum Group, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity to continue expanding our Overfield Park development. This application shows the confidence in Overfield Park and its location within Newark and Sherwood District Council against an uncertain economic backdrop. This application is outline in nature to be flexible to suit occupier requirements. Across the development we can provide units from 10,000 sq ft up to large, strategic industrial and warehouse units.
“We are pleased to help generate further investment and employment opportunities in the region, whilst providing a revenue for our neighbour and local charity, Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society. Subject to planning approval we can react quickly to deliver opportunities within 12 months.
“We have already seen the success of current occupiers of the site, with John Deere, Wirtgen, and Starbucks. Not only are these successes testament to the opportunities available from this next phase, but the location of the Starbucks providing food and refreshments on site will also be of appeal to future occupiers.”
A spokesperson for the Agricultural Society said: “The Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society has agreed to release an area of under-used land in the South-West corner of the Showground, which has largely been surplus to operational requirements for some time. The Society is pleased to have agreed the sale of the land to Lindum Group as an extension to the existing Overfield Business Park for the development of business and commercial units. This development will generate much needed employment and enhance economic prospects for the district in this strategic location.
“The impact on our operational activities and customers will be limited and will be readily offset using alternative arrangements. Part of the agreement will also facilitate an additional multi-mode, all-purpose entrance/exit for the Showground via Godfrey Drive (and the A17), which we are sure will be welcomed by everyone and will help with access and egress to some of the existing events held on the site and in particular assist with mitigating the occasional weekend congestion on the A46 Winthorpe roundabout.”
The application follows on from another recent application at Overfield Park for 129,000 sq ft of employment land which was submitted in July 2023 and is nearing planning determination. The combined plans highlight further significant investment in the Newark development, creating additional jobs and economic growth in the district.
Road closures planned as contractors start work on A180 bridges
Vital structural repairs are being planned to ensure the main road into Grimsby and Cleethorpes can safely carry traffic in the decades ahead.
The project, one of the most important of its kind along the A180, is being supported by £8m of funding from the Department of Transport, secured by North East Lincolnshire Council due to the importance of the road for the borough’s economic and visitor growth in the future.
Contractors VSL have been awarded the first contract for doing the works to two of the bridges that was released last year. The third structure is subject to a separate contract which will be tendered shortly, informed by the survey works that were undertaken in November.
Next week, another set of high-tech surveys on the bridges need to be undertaken to help map out in greater detail the structural defects which will enable the works programme to be finalised.
The surveys will be undertaken from today for six nights, and will involve overnight closures to reduce disruption to businesses and residents as much as possible. The closures on the bridges will only be on the bridges, and localised diversions will be in place for each closure.
Each night, from 8pm to 6am, individual closures will be put in place overnight as follows (please note, the bridges will be opened as soon as works are completed each night):
- Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 January – full closure of Gilbey Road flyover
- Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 January – full closure of Alexandra Dock flyover
- Friday 12 and Saturday 13 January – full closure of Cleethorpe Road flyover.
NFU fights back in ‘Big British Beef Battle’ with letter to Ofcom
The letter to the broadcasting regulator backs up a seperate letter of complaint sent by the NFU to Channel 4 and the producers of the show after it was first aired.
The programme called on the audience to “cancel” the British countryside and British beef, due to its climate impact.
Aside from containing a number of factual inaccuracies, says the NFU, a number of the claims made during the show were based on research on livestock farming that takes place outside of the UK, where farming practices are often much less sustainable than those carried out domestically.
The NFU considers that the ‘The Big British Beef Battle’ has breached three sections of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. The letter of complaint has carefully scrutinised the broadcasting code and identified specific areas of the programme that we consider have breached it.
In summary, it focuses on how the programme:
- relied on and presented global statistics in a misleading way;
- failed to accurately represent the British beef industry, such that its representation was unfair;
- failed to adequately represent alternative viewpoints;
- provided only an extremely limited opportunity for the industry to respond to the allegations made in it.
Since its first airing at the start of December, the programme has already attracted more than 220 complaints to Ofcom, including from other industry organisations such as AHDB.
In a previous letter sent to Channel 4 and the producers of the show, the NFU urged them to portray British farming and food production in an “accurate and informed” manner.
The organisation also called for the industry to be included in any future productions that focus on farming and food production in the UK.
Since the programme’s airing, the NFU says it has has been working hard to show the public how red meat consumption is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and that British beef is farmed with a high standard of animal welfare and in a sustainable manner.
2p reduction in National Insurance could be worth £450 to workers earning the average £35,400
The main rate of National Insurance has been cut by 2p from Saturday, saving £450 this year for the average salaried worker on £35,400.
Millions of people working different jobs across hundreds of industries will now be better off. An average full-time nurse will save £520, a typical junior doctor £750 and an average teacher £630.
In the past year, inflation has halved; the economy has recovered more quickly from the pandemic than first thought; and debt is on track to fall. With a renewed focus on the long-term decisions to strengthen the economy, the government is changing gear and cutting taxes for hard working people, giving them the opportunity to build a wealthier, more secure life for themselves and their families.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “With inflation halved, we’ve turned a corner and are cutting taxes – starting with today’s record cut to National Insurance worth nearly £1,000 for a household.
“From nurses and brickies, to cleaners and butchers, 27 million hard-working Brits will have a little more cash in their pockets.”
Refractory company launches growth plan on the back of £14k grant
Scunthorpe-based Trent Refractories has launched an ambitious business growth plan to win to new clients and expand further into international markets.
The plan, backed with a grant of £14,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, included upgrades to internal systems and a new digital marketing campaign.
The project, with a total value of £32,150, relaunched the company as refractory ambassadors, with the help of a website restructure, case studies and a new promotional video.
The company also upgraded its internal systems, transitioning away from an outdated, inefficient work path to one that improved the customer management journey throughout the whole manufacturing process.
Trent’s MD Katy Moss said: “The UKSPF funding has meant we are able to really go for a fresh new look on our marketing front in a way that we would not have been able to without it, the timing worked well following an assessment of where we were as a company and how we wanted to take things forward.
“We are hoping to see some different types of sales and diversity of products rather than being so heavily invested in iron and steel making and position ourselves slightly differently in the market in such a way that we become more custodians or ambassadors for our niche industry.
“It should attract people to want to work with us on all fronts and enable a UK company to demonstrate its commitment to a sustainable future for the foundations industries
“I hope we can continue to work together with North Lincolnshire Council and other local business as partners, try and hone in on where funding is needed the most and what would make the biggest impacts to really help Scunthorpe and the surrounding areas truly ‘level up’ and make it an area that companies want to do business.”
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, added: “This is exactly what the UKSPF should be doing for businesses – enabling our core industries to level up and modernise in order to compete on a global scale.I have no doubt Trent will go from strength to strength with this forward-thinking attitude and the support from Government. This will create new jobs and new opportunities in traditional industries.”
