York IT services provider makes major acquisition

Tess Egginton
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York IT services provider makes major acquisition
boxxe, the York-based IT services and solutions provider, has acquired Kettering-headquartered Total Computers. boxxe owner Phil Doye had previously acquired a minority stake in Total Computers in November 2022. Total has a rich heritage as a partner of choice for many of the UK’s most successful and recognised companies, and through its own acquisition of Overbright in 2022, it added deep digital transformation expertise. This acquisition creates one of the UK’s largest providers of software, solutions and services to both the public and private sector.
boxxe has grown rapidly since Phil Doye acquired the business in 2019, with revenue for 2023 expected to be around £440m.
Phil Doye said: “I had known and admired Total for many years but as a shareholder and director for the past 12 months I have seen firsthand the depth of what Aidan and Kevin have built. “The combination of these two businesses is uniquely complimentary and I am hugely excited that this move will enable both companies to better serve our customers and partners.”
Aidan Groom, CEO of Total Computers, said: “Working with Phil over the past 12 months has challenged our ambition for what Total can become. We have created something special at Total, but this is the next step in the evolution of our company. “For both companies it allows us to grow faster and become even more relevant to our customers through a wider range of partner accreditations, deeper technical skills and greater financial strength and scale.”
Kevin Goodall, who has become Managing Director of Total, said: “The most common feedback I get from our customers is that we want to do more with you, but you don’t have the financial scale or range of partner certifications that Computacenter, CDW or Softcat has. “To be part of the boxxe group is hugely exciting as it gives us a more complete portfolio and financial scale that enables us to think bigger and be even more ambitious.”
Doye added: “The IT channel has, over the past number of years, seen the largest players get bigger and the small ones either specialise, struggle or get acquired. “This deal marks a pivotal moment in the journey of boxxe. With the acceleration of digital transformation, the continued growth of public cloud and the proliferation of software companies it’s critical that a partner can deliver across this landscape.”

Halifax bike business rescued from administration

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Halifax bike business rescued from administration

The business and assets of Orange Mountain Bikes Limited and their frame manufacturing division, P. Bairstow Limited, both based in Halifax, have been rescued from administration by director Ashley Ball.

Orange Bikes was founded in 1988, becoming a cult brand within the mountain biking world with unique designs, British made frames and racing pedigree.

As with a number of businesses in the cycle sector, Orange has experienced several challenges in recent years, largely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The deal secures 30 jobs and will see Orange and Bairstow consolidate operations into one site, with Bairstow already closing its third-party engineering division.

Ash Ball, director of Orange Bikes, said: “Restructuring the businesses was never going to be an easy process but the decision to do so has preserved the livelihoods of the people at the heart of the organisation, streamlined our operations and ensured the continued strength of the Orange Bikes brand and its products.”

Ball was advised by Leeds-based J9 Advisory who assisted in structuring, funding and executing the transaction.

Johnny Abraham, Managing Director of J9 Advisory, said: “To be honest, I had no idea how famous Orange Bikes was or what a tremendous following it has! Ash clearly has a huge passion for bikes and the Orange brand and wanted to do whatever it took to rescue the business.

“We are glad that we could provide the expertise required to rescue this well respected British brand. Thanks go out to TFG Capital and E Capital, together with BDO for their respective roles in completing this transaction.”

Leeds Law School teams up with national injury firm to expand student-run legal advice

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Leeds Law School teams up with national injury firm to expand student-run legal advice
Leeds Law School has teamed up with national injury firm Hodge Jones & Allen to expand its student-run service offering free legal advice. The new partnership will see students and solicitors work together to provide free legal advice to those who have suffered a personal injury. It will build on the service already provided by the Law Clinic at Leeds Law School, which has been advising members of the public for over 10 years on matters of family law, employment law and civil litigation. Hodge Jones & Allen will work with law student volunteers to deal with personal injury enquiries via zoom calls to provide a fast response. Dr Rachel Dunn, Course Director for Pro Bono and Employability, said: “The new partnership between Leeds Law School and Hodge Jones & Allen demonstrates our commitment to social justice and ensuring that those who need legal advice the most can access it. “It will also provide our students with the vital skills needed for life after university. It is an amazing opportunity for them to work closely with such experienced solicitors from a leading personal injury firm.” Daniel Denton, Partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Leeds Law School and their students who will help support the public with personal injury enquiries. It’s an opportunity for callers to speak directly to a highly experienced personal injury solicitor.”

PwC to become anchor tenant at new grade A office space in Bradford

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PwC to become anchor tenant at new grade A office space in Bradford
PwC will become the anchor tenant at One City Park, the brand-new grade A office space in Bradford’s Centenary Square. All of PwC’s Bradford staff will relocate to the new, 27,050 sq ft office space across two floors by June 2024, allowing the firm to continue its expansion plans in the city and increase its workforce to around 500 employees over the next few years. One City Park, built on the former West Yorkshire Police HQ site, features 56,403 sq ft of sustainable and modern workspace. Muse is delivering the building in partnership with Bradford Metropolitan District Council, with direct support provided by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership. Simon Dew, development director, said: “This commitment from one of the world’s leading professional services firms is a boost to Bradford’s reputation as a desirable location for businesses to locate, grow and thrive. “One City Park is part of a new chapter for Bradford, one which tells the story of a progressive, modern city where future generations will choose to live and work, attracted by the opportunity to fulfil their potential here.”
When it opened in 2019, PwC’s Bradford office employed 66 people. This has since grown to 181. With one of the most diverse populations in the country, Bradford was chosen as the ideal location for PwC’s Audit support and Operate Managed Services functions, allowing the firm to invest in the city and unlock the talent in the area. Armoghan Mohammed, Regional Market Lead for the North, PwC UK, said: “One City Park is just one of the fantastic investments we’re seeing in Bradford at the moment. With the City of Culture 2025, the new Brit School for the North, Bradford Live and updated railway networks, the attraction for investment is growing, and the city along with it. “We first moved to Bradford in 2019 recognising the incredible potential of the city’s young and diverse population. I grew up close to Bradford myself and remember a vibrant and diverse culture and educated population, it was easy to see the enormous opportunity that PwC saw. “This new office space demonstrates the value and commitment we have in our people, clients and the local community in Bradford, and I’m extremely pleased to see the city also benefitting from the broader recognition and investment.” Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “The completion of One City Park and the announcement of PwC as an anchor tenant is a watershed moment for Bradford. Their strategic investment here is a real demonstration of the confidence business has in Bradford and the new growth this will generate. “One City Park sets off Centenary Square magnificently, complementing our historic City Hall across the mirror pool and beautifully bringing together the heart of the city. PwC as main tenants will bring additional jobs, skills and opportunities to the district for many years to come and we’re proud to have them as a central part of Bradford. “A huge thanks to Muse and our construction partners for helping us realise this vision and bring the economic transformation of the city, and the district, a big step closer.” One City Park is represented by commercial agents Knight Frank and Colliers. It has five floors of workspace, a roof terrace, and flexible floor plans.

Boston Borough Council refuses to support proposed devolution deal

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Boston Borough Council refuses to support proposed devolution deal

Boston Borough Council says it cannot support the Devolution Deal that is proposed for Greater Lincolnshire.

After seeking views from all Councillors, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Anne Dorrian, has now formally written a response on behalf of the council to a consultation into the proposed deal and Mayoral Combined County Authority arrangements. At Full Council on Monday 15 January, Councillors voted unanimously to reject the proposals in their current form, with specific concerns relating to the deal itself and its governance, which Boston Borough Council says at present does not give all District/Borough Councils a voice on the Mayoral Combined County Authority. The Deal negotiated with Government by the upper-tier councils includes:
  • £24m per year for 30 years.
  • £28.4m to Greater Lincolnshire for 2024/25, to be allocated prior to the Mayoral Combined County Authority being established in 2025.
  • The devolution of strategy and budgets related to skills; and multi-year transport budgets, with flexibility to allocate funds to local priorities.
Councillors were concerned that none of the projects put forward by the council for a share of the initial £28.4m funding pot for 2024/25 were supported by Lincolnshire County Council. They also noted from data in the council report that over the past five years, Boston has received significantly less investment from Lincolnshire County Council for major infrastructure investment in recent years when compared to other areas in the county. The consultation response states the council has little confidence that this will change going forward if the deal proceeds. Cllr Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “The council speaks with one voice and is being very clear – this is not a deal we can support. “Whilst the council welcomes the transfer of Government powers to the local area, it must come with appropriate funding that can make a real impact for our communities. This deal simply does not do that for Boston Borough or wider Lincolnshire. “Council has confirmed a view that I have shared on several occasions with the upper tier councils that all district/borough councils must be represented on the Mayoral Combined Authority. “Numerous times the Leaders of district/borough councils asked to be directly involved in the deal negotiations but until very recently the detail was unknown to us. Had we have been engaged sooner and in a meaningful way we could have maybe helped secure a better deal for Greater Lincolnshire. “The deal, at present, does not outweigh the cost to our communities of introducing a Mayoral Combined County Authority with a Directly Elected Mayor who can raise a precept for our residents to pay at a time of serious financial hardship for many.” The council also has concerns over the deal document where there are significantly important details still to be resolved and has also raised concerns about the public consultation process.

Eddison’s adds local authorities and MPs’ regularity body to client roster

Stuart Pearcey
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Eddison’s adds local authorities and MPs’ regularity body to client roster
Leeds-based property consultancy Eddisons has added three local authorities and the national regulatory body for MPs to its list of public sector clients. The City of Lincoln Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council in Hampshire, and the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, the body which regulates and administers all MPs’ business costs and pay, have become the latest organisations to appoint Eddisons’ public sector advisory services. In Lincoln, Eddisons will advise the city council on the Lincoln Western Growth Corridor, providing strategic development consultancy services for 3,200 new homes, a neighbourhood centre, a business park and transport infrastructure to alleviate congestion. The firm is providing strategic development consultancy and other input for Portsmouth City Council on its flagship City Centre North master plan.
For the Rushmoor Borough Council Hampshire Addison’s will manage the 375,000 sq ft Kingsmead and the Meads shopping centres in Farnborough on a three-year contract. The contract from IPSA will also see Eddisons provide lease advisory services for MPs’ constituency offices across the UK. Javid Patel, Eddisons’ head of public sector, said: “We are really excited to have added these latest clients to our public sector portfolio. Our approach is always to build collaborative relationships and help bring innovation, including using AI technologies, to aid the quality and speedier delivery of our services.”

Two Scunthorpe companies share in £2.5m Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund

Stuart Pearcey
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Two Scunthorpe companies share in £2.5m Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund
Scunthorpe companies Harlequin Office Furniture and Sentex Hydraulix have shared more than £4,000 from the Government’s £2.5m UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Harlequin, on the town’s Queensway Industrial Estate, received £2,520 towards a marketing project to win new customers, and Sentex, on Colin Road, was given £1,500 towards a project to create a marketing video. Harlequin Director Gemma Teesdale said: “The whole process was straightforward and user friendly and as a result of the project we’ve grown our workforce. “We received fantastic support which was always helpful and personal. We could not have asked for better.” The cash also enabled a strategic review of the company’s financial systems to ensure they were able to meet new demand, that a new finance team was properly skilled and that detailed management information for budgeting and cash flow forecasting was available. Sentex Business Development & E-Commerce Manager Karl Brown said: “We are a small SME, so receiving the UKSPF funding came as a huge benefit to our business and enabled us to move forward with the project. “We were supported to confidently develop and grow the business by exploring new markets. We would like to say a big thank you to North Lincolnshire Council in helping our business to grow and develop. Without their assistance this would not have been possible.” Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s great to hear such positive outcomes from local businesses and organisations that have received a share of this Government cash.”

Historic Hull buildings to be reborn in £2.5m project

Stuart Pearcey
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Historic Hull buildings to be reborn in £2.5m project
Work to revive Hull’s historic Castle Street Chambers building and rebuild the former Earl De Grey pub has begun in a project valued at £2.5m. It’s in the hands of developers the Wykeland Group, who’ll create more than 6,000 sq ft  of prime commercial space as well as reconstruction of the pub. Wykeland has liaised closely with National Highways, Historic England and Hull City Council to bring the restoration project forward. The company’s Development Director Jonathan Stubbs said: “Castle Buildings is one of the most complex and challenging restoration projects we’ve undertaken. “Having been unused for decades, the building is understandably in a very poor condition. Since acquiring the site in recent years, we have worked hard to bring forward this project which is now coming to fruition “That has included taking down the Earl De Grey before the A63 works, while retaining its listed frontage in order that it can be reinstated as part of this exciting development. “In all of our restoration projects, protecting and enhancing heritage is at the forefront of our approach. That is certainly the case with Castle Street Chambers and the Earl De Grey. “This project represents a significant investment into Hull city centre, rejuvenating a key corridor which links Connexin Live and the heart of the city centre to the Marina and thriving Fruit Market.” Castle Street Chambers was built in 1900 as offices for Hull steamship owners and brokers Messrs G R Sanderson. The now derelict Grade II-listed building has been unoccupied since the 1970s, supported by protective scaffolding for more than 20 years. The same happened to one of Hull’s oldest pubs the Earl De Grey, which dates back to the 1840s. In 2020, the Grade II-listed Earl De Grey’s historic frontage was removed brick by brick, before being placed into storage, prior to the start of the ongoing £350m A63 Castle Street improvement scheme to relieve congestion on the main route through Hull.

South Lincolnshire business community shares in almost £2m cash awards from prosperity fund

Stuart Pearcey
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South Lincolnshire business community shares in almost £2m cash awards from prosperity fund
More than £1.5m has been awarded by South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership this week to support local business growth, skills and community projects across the sub-region through the UK Shared Prosperity and Rural Prosperity Funds (UKSPF/REPF), along with the next phase of the Lincolnshire Community Foundation’sGRASSroots scheme. The majority of the funding has been awarded through the ‘Communities and Place’ and ‘Supporting Local Business’ areas of focus, targeting those aiming to have a positive, meaningful impact on communities in Boston, East Lindsey and South Holland, as well as those looking to support local businesses to develop and create jobs in the area. About half a million pounds has been granted through the first round of the Partnership’s People and Skills awards, which is helping to directly support residents access higher paid, higher skilled work while also reducing unemployment and economic inactivity locally. The latest round of funding has allowed the Partnership to expand the reach of UKSPF – which was made available by the Government to invest in and empower local communities – ensuring that the greatest possible number of areas within the sub-region benefit from support. This includes communities such as Louth, Wainfleet, Frieston and Holbeach, ensuring that the prosperity the fund brings is truly shared. Funded projects include:
  • LCVS Community Transport : Looking to develop and enhance community transport infrastructure across the entire sub-region, aiming to increase the number of journeys available and volunteers taking part.
  • Community-Based Digital Support Sessions :Using local venues across the Partnership area to support residents in our Districts (particularly in rural communities) to access digital services, go online and become digitally savvy , including supporting them to access key online services such as health providers and HMRC, as well as scam-awareness training.
  • PAB Languages – Global Entrepreneurs : This project will provide a structured programme supporting the development of entrepreneurship and upskilling employees of our larger businesses to engage with export and international markets, drawing participants from people in employment in food processing, logistics, social care and e-commerce.
  • Heritage Skills in South and East Lincolnshire :A Programme to encourage the development of traditional and ‘at risk’ heritage and craft skills, giving residents in our area the opportunity to try their hand at skills like lime plastering, traditional joinery and thatching, as well as supporting them to explore future careers in the heritage construction sector
  • Connect2Grow : A project focussed on reducing economic inactivity in Boston and South Holland, helping individuals who are economically inactive or in receipt of universal credit  skills training and support, identifying suitable vacancies, providing job interviews and  follow-on in-work support.
  • Higher Level Engineering Skills for South Lincolnshire’s Key Sectors : Working with local employers to build engagement, shape provision and strengthen local access to specialist higher level training in food and manufacturing engineering courses at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing. This will be supported by a Programme providing insight into the sector for local school-aged learners, giving them experiences of and hopefully, an interest in working in our area’s vital agri-tech and food industries.
  • Future Skills Programme : Delivered by the TEC Partnership, this will deliver digital training to 100 economically inactive beneficiaries focused on digital employability skills including data management, design, multimedia and AI support, supporting this group to gain key digital skills and access employment with local employers

FirstGroup signs agreement to acquire York Pullman Bus Company

Tess Egginton
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FirstGroup signs agreement to acquire York Pullman Bus Company
FirstGroup has signed an agreement to acquire York Pullman Bus Company, a business comprising five well-established coach services brands. York Pullman has a strong presence in regional and adjacent services operations in York and surrounding towns in North Yorkshire. It provides home-to-school and college contracted services and private hire operations including rail replacement services, and operates a small number of local bus routes on behalf of several local authorities, complementary to the operations of First Bus in York. It has a mixed fleet of more than 130 vehicles with varying passenger capacity which has enabled it to build a broad range of customers. For the year ended 31 December 2022, York Pullman reported revenues of c.£10m and EBIT of c.£2m. Tom James, Managing Director of York Pullman, will remain with the company as Managing Director and continue to run it on a standalone basis, as well as contributing to the development of the First Bus coach services growth strategy, with synergy benefits and support from the First Bus executive team. Graham Sutherland, FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer, said: “A key pillar of our strategy is to grow and diversify our portfolio. The acquisition of York Pullman, a long-established, high-performing business fits well with our strategy as it will both enhance the First Bus operational footprint in North Yorkshire and expand our adjacent services business, where we are looking to grow our presence.”
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