Enable Therapy Services acquired by ExamWorks
ExamWorks UK, a provider of medico-legal services, health assessments and rehabilitation treatment, has acquired Enable Therapy Services (ETS).
Based in Leeds, but offering services both nationally and internationally, ETS was established in 2008 by Julie Kendall, an Occupational Therapist with over 30 years’ experience working within statutory and private healthcare settings.
ETS provides proactive Rehabilitation, Vocational Case Management and Occupational Therapy Assessment & Treatment Services through a team of 40 employed staff, together with an established network of over 275 Occupational Therapists. Following the acquisition, Julie Kendall will continue to work with ETS in a Non-Executive Director capacity.
Mike Cutler, Group CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome Enable Therapy Services to the ExamWorks UK family. Under Julie’s stewardship, ETS has become a highly reputable and trusted operator in the case management market.
“Its emphasis on clinical excellence in the high value and serious injury space makes it a perfect fit for the group alongside our Premex+ and 3d Rehabilitation brands. ETS is well positioned to respond to the evolving case management landscape, and to pursue growth opportunities in the occupational health, loss adjuster and income protection markets.”
Enable Therapy Services joins Choose Occupational Health and Washington House Occupational Health, both of which were acquired earlier this year.
Julie Kendall, Managing Director at Enable Therapy Services, said: “I am thrilled that the next phase of ETS’ growth will be as part of the ExamWorks UK family. I am confident that the resources now available to the team will help achieve their growth targets.
“ETS has an established and highly experienced Senior Management Team, who will be an asset to the ExamWorks UK group. The synergies between the businesses are evident and I am delighted to continue to support the team in my role as a Non-Executive Director.”
ExamWorks UK received legal advice from Pinsent Masons and worked with Grant Thornton on the financial aspects of the deal. ETS was advised by Eclipse Corporate Finance (corporate finance), Lupton Fawcett (legal) and Gibson Booth (accountancy/tax).
Richmond hotel sold to local investor
The closed Fleece Hotel in Richmond, North Yorkshire has been sold by The Fleece Holdings Limited to a local investor.
The 13-bedroom town centre hotel was closed at the end of summer 2023 due to the owners’ desire to divest of the property and concentrate on other business interests. It was placed on the market by Colliers for offers in excess of £1 million, excluding two residential units within the property, however these have now been included in the sale.
In recent years the 135-year-old hotel has been fully refurbished to create 13 unique bedrooms, residential apartments and 100-cover ground floor bar and restaurant. Grade II listed, the property boasts a striking gothic-styled façade of brick and stone, with a number of original features including turrets, arrow slits and parapets.
It was sold with planning consent for eight additional bedrooms or conversion of the upper floors to residential use, and the new owners plan to re-open the hotel and restaurant in the next few months.
Chris Miles from The Fleece Holdings said: “We’ve been happy custodians of The Fleece Hotel and have enjoyed maintaining its unique look, while bringing it up to modern standards of hospitality.
“However now is the time for us to move on with our other business interests and we’re pleased to be passing the hotel on to a local investor who is able to give the business the attention it deserves and provide quality services to guests once again.”
Robert Smithson, associate director in Hotels Agency at Colliers handled the sale. He said: “We’re pleased to have managed the sale of another outstanding Yorkshire hotel asset. The former owners of The Fleece created an excellent venue and invested heavily in its refurbishment and planning.
“However, as hotel operations was not their business focus it is fantastic to see the property being passed on to a local investor and operator who is looking to forward and getting the Fleece back up and running.
“This is Colliers 30th UK hotel transaction this year, which is a 38% improvement on last year, highlighting that buyer confidence is returning on the back of improving economic indicators.”
Joint venture acquires 105 homes from Sheffield housebuilder
Gatehouse Investment Management has acquired 105 single-family build-to-rent (SFR) homes from Sheffield housebuilder MJ Gleeson for £18.5 million, as part of its joint venture with global investment firm Carlyle.
This is the second deal signed with MJ Gleeson by the joint venture, with the new homes located across the same 15 developments as the 288 units acquired from the housebuilder last year.
Located on successful sites, with strong transport links and local amenities, the two-, three- and four-bedroom homes will be handed over to the joint venture from early 2025 onwards. As part of Gatehouse IM’s commitment to sustainability, all homes will have an EPC rating of ‘B’ or higher.
The entire portfolio, including the new acquisitions, will be managed by Ascend.
John Coles, Director of Acquisitions at Gatehouse IM, said: “We are pleased to have completed this latest acquisition with MJ Gleeson, having been impressed with the homes it has already delivered, and are certain these further units will be an equally strong element of our wider portfolio. We have developed a productive working relationship with MJ Gleeson, and look forward to future deals.”
Anssi Halonen, Managing Director and Head of Acquisitions on the Carlyle Europe Realty advisory team, added: “The fundamentals underpinning our UK residential strategy remain compelling. These represent high-quality additions to our growing platform, providing SFR homes which we believe will be a key part of the housing mix.”
Steve McElroy, Group Sales Director at MJ Gleeson, said: “The addition of further units to the existing portfolio further strengthens the partnership we have developed with Gatehouse IM and Carlyle and allows us to work together to provide much needed high quality and affordable housing stock in the areas and for people who need it most.”
Lindsey Oil Refinery reaches exclusive crude oil supply deal with Glencore Energy
The Prax Group has reached agreement for exclusive crude oil supply for its Lindsey Oil Refinery with Glencore Energy UK Ltd, a subsidiary of Glencore plc, one of the world’s largest globally diversified natural resource companies.
Prax has selected Glencore as its supply partner to build on the substantial investment the Group has made since it acquired the refinery in 2021, including the first major Turnaround & Inspection of the refinery under Prax ownership.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Prax Group will purchase crude oil and refinery feedstocks from Glencore for Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery, near Immingham in the Humber estuary, and Glencore will use its extensive global reach in the international energy markets to source the optimal range of crude oil and other feedstocks for the refinery.
The Prax Group is committed to continue investing in Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery for the long term, and to transform it into a next generation, low carbon refinery that contributes to the UK’s energy security.
Former factory site in Leeds to be used for housing
Fifty new homes are being built on a brownfield site off Moorfield Road in the Armley district of Leeds that was formerly occupied by the Tower Works factory.
The scheme is being delivered by Yorkshire Housing and contractor Termrim Construction with support from Leeds City Council and Homes England.
By part-funding the work to the tune of up to £750k, the council says it will help ensure the success of a project that aims to make a positive difference to the lives of people in an area with significant housing needs.
The scheme will also help efforts to boost the city’s overall supply of new affordable homes, which – after record building levels in 2023 – is now forecast to rise by a further 750 this year, thanks to work by housing associations and the council through its own direct delivery.
It is anticipated that the first homes at the site – which has stood vacant and derelict for a number of years – will be ready next February.
Anthony Askew, head of construction at Yorkshire Housing, said: “We are committed to delivering a range of affordable homes across Yorkshire, especially in areas of high need such as Armley.
“We have an aim of delivering 8,000 new affordable homes across Yorkshire to help ease the housing crisis and this site takes us closer to achieving that target.”
Jason McGarvey, commercial director at Termrim Construction, said:
“We have made great progress with the installation of the new roads and sewers alongside foundations and retaining walls.
“Design and procurement for the superstructure elements has also progressed well with the superstructure masonry commencing imminently.
“As always, it is great to work with the Yorkshire Housing team on this important development delivering a mix of new affordable houses and apartments to the Yorkshire region.”
West Yorkshire brewery and Star Pubs unite to create beer to beat loneliness
Keighley-based Timothy Taylor’s Brewery has worked with Heineken UK’s Star Pubs to introduce a limited-edition cask ale called Marmalade Best to raise funds for loneliness charity the Marmalade Trust.
The Trust works to support of individuals experiencing loneliness, and will be on sale from now until the end of October, including during Cask Ale Week. For every pint of Marmalade Best sold, Star Pubs will donate 20p to the charity.
To create the ale, Star Pubs collaborated with Timothy Taylor’s and hops producer Charles Faram, who generously provided some of the hops for this special ale, knowing it was for a charitable cause.
Marmalade Best is a refreshing, golden beer brewed at 3.4% ABV. To deliver the distinctive warm, orange zest, spicy and resinous aroma and flavours, Emperor from the Charles Faram Hop Development Program and Admiral were selected to work alongside Timothy Taylor’s favourites Goldings, Fuggles and Savinjski Goldings.
Each firkin will come with a Marmalade Best pump clip featuring a QR code linking to Marmalade Trust’s website for more information on the charity and the support available.
Point-of-sale kits will also be distributed to participating pubs with conversation starter ideas to encourage pubgoers to talk to one another.
Says Star Pubs MD Lawson Mountstevens: “The bar is the focal point of any pub, so what better place to raise awareness of Marmalade Trust and the work it does to support people experiencing loneliness, than to have a dedicated charity ale? The launch of Marmalade Best will be a conversation starter between staff and customers. In addition to raising money for this great cause, it will also draw attention to this important subject and the charity.”
Amy Perrin, CEO and founder of Marmalade Trust said: “I am excited for the launch of the Marmalade Best, giving people a refreshing ale which they can enjoy in pubs across the country.”
So far, the funds raised by Star Pubs and HEINEKEN for Marmalade Trust have helped provide 222 Christmas lunches, doorstep visits, and hampers. The funds have also enabled 400 hours of telephone conversations between 115 volunteers and members through the charity’s companion scheme.
Firms offered free advice about cyber security
The Yorkshire & Humber Regional Cyber Crime Unit stages its next Police Cyber Clinic in Hull on the morning of August 29th.
The event will involve a series of short informative talks from cyber security professionals covering the Police-led cyber security products and services that you can access for free to protect businesses from cyber crime.
A spokesman said: “These engaging sessions will cover a range of topics, from the latest threats and vulnerabilities to practical steps you can take to safeguard your digital assets. Delegates will have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and network with other business owners who are equally committed to enhancing their cyber defences.
“This event is suitable for anyone including SMEs, businesses, charities, organisations, academia, and non-profit organisations who are looking to enhance their knowledge, awareness and skills in the ever-evolving world of cyber security.”
All Police Cyber Clinics are completely free, with free refreshments and a light breakfast meal included. The next event will be at Hull University Students’ Union, Student Central, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RX. Booking are essential.
‘We can’t get the staff,’ firms tell BCC
Firms in all sectors are struggling to find staff, according to the latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce.
More than 4,700 UK firms of all sectors and sizes have been quizzed by the BCC’s Insights Unit, which revealed an in crease in hiring problems across all sectors.
The second quarter results for 2024 show that 59% of respondents said they had attempted to recruit in the last three months, slightly down from 62% in Q1. 80% of hospitality businesses attempted to recruit, whereas the figure for the retail sector was just 44%.
Of the firms who tried to hire in Q2, 74% reported recruitment difficulties, compared with 66% in the first three months of the year.
Construction and engineering firms are bearing the brunt of staffing issues, with 82% reporting problems in Q2, up from 69% in Q1. 79% of firms in the transport and logistics sector said they had faced difficulties (up from 69% in Q1). Meanwhile, in production and manufacturing, 77% of businesses trying to recruit faced problems, up from 70% in the previous quarter.
Almost three quarters of firms (71%) in the hospitality sector said they had faced recruitment problems in Q2 (Q1 64%), while 70% of retailers faced difficulties, up from 61% in Q1.
Although most businesses are still struggling to increase investment in workplace training, Q2 did see a slight increase. 28% of firms reported an increase in staff training investment, up from 26% in Q1, with 11% reporting a drop. 61% reported no change in their investment plans for training over the past three months.
Labour costs continue to be the main external pressure on businesses in Q2, with 67% of firms saying they could be forced to put up prices as a result. Concerns around labour costs are highest in hospitality (77%), followed by construction and engineering (76%), and production and manufacturing (72%).
Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “It’s alarming that recruitment difficulties have increased in recent months across all sectors. The very sharp rise in the construction industry is particularly worrying.
“People shortages and labour costs are ramping up pressure on firms and holding back growth. We need to prioritise help for people to get back into the labour market and remove the barriers to business investment in training.
“Better planning for skills is crucial. The new government must work at pace to outline a long-term national skills strategy, working closely with the devolved administrations.
“Building on Local Skills Improvement Plans will help develop strong partnerships between employers, training providers and others – to ensure people get the skills and support they need.”
Farming profitability slashed by almost 20%, says Defra
Published as part of Defra’s total income from farming figures – which measure the total profit from all UK farming businesses during the past calendar year – this drop translates to a fall of £1.1 billion from 2022 giving an overall total income of £4.5 billion for England.
The fall follows a spike in 2022 figures, driven by high global costs pushing up commodity prices following the war in Ukraine.
Farming’s overall contribution to England’s economy also took a dip of £1 billion or 8.7% compared with 2022.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said the last few years had demonstrated the “volatile environment” in which farmers and growers are trying to make a living.
“We have moved from high commodity prices and soaring production costs in 2022 caused by the tragic situation in Ukraine, to much lower income figures in a weather-affected 2023, as commodity prices fell but production costs remained high,” he said.
“Since the survey ended, we have seen record levels of rain and flooding the NFU President added, which has contributed to a huge drop in confidence among farmers, and put a real question mark over this year’s harvest.”
New figures have revealed a ‘dramatic decline’ in cereals and oilseed rape planted this year, down by 5% in 2024 to the lowest level for over two decades with the total wheat area estimated to be the second smallest since 1981.
Mr Bradshaw added: “While farmers are well used to dealing with variation year on year, the volatility we’ve seen in the last few years isn’t sustainable. Food security is national security, and that’s why we need the new government to be prioritising food production in its policy-making.”
BSI renews British Steel’s sustainability credentials
British Steel’s sustainable practices have been recognised by the British Standards Institution, which has renewed The company’s certification to the BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing standard following detailed auditing across our operations this month.
Simon Walker, Senior Environment Specialist, said: “This is a significant achievement and this independent verification demonstrates to our customers we’re committed to sustainable practices.” The BES 6001 certificate covers all steel products made in Scunthorpe, Teesside and Skinningrove. The audit was both demanding and comprehensive, said Simon, investigating a wide range of areas including material traceability and environmental management systems in the supply chain as well as supplier management systems, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and waste management. HE added: “Sustainable practices remain hugely important to us, our customers and stakeholders. They enable us to improve our social and environmental performance, meet regulatory requirements and meet our customers’ expectations. “Allowing customers to demonstrate they’re sourcing products from a responsible supplier and being able to benchmark our performance is particularly important, so it’s excellent news that we’ve maintained our score as a ‘good’ rating in this year’s audit.”