Member News

Howes Percival are celebrating being named Corporate Law Firm of the Year in Insider Media’s Central & East Dealmakers Awards 2020. Howes Percival was also shortlisted for two deals in the ‘Deal of the Year (above £10m)’ category and for another two deals in the ‘Deal of the Year (below £10m)’ category.

The annual awards recognise high-quality work from the top professional services firms in the central and eastern region – corporate finance firms, banks, funders, private equity houses and individuals – who have excelled in dealmaking over the past year. The awards are judged by a panel of independent experts, each with in-depth knowledge of deals processes and structures. This year’s awards ceremony was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, and the winners were announced online.

Howes Percival was named ‘Corporate Law Firm of the Year’ for its involvement in deals across the whole region and praised for its proactive and client-focused services. The judges highlighted the sale of Metrol Springs to Lesjofors AB and the acquisition of Norfolk Broads Holdings by Craft Leisure.

In the category ‘Deal of the Year (above £10m)’ Howes Percival was shortlisted for the acquisition of Norfolk Broads Holdings by Craft Leisure, where the other advisers included MHA Larking Gowen; Barclays; Lees Accountants and Leathes Prior and the sale of Innotrade to The Libman Company, where Howes Percival worked with Grant Thornton.

Howes Percival was also shortlisted in the ‘Deal of the Year (below £10m)’ category for the sale of Metrol Springs to Lesjofors AB with Grant Thornton, Harris and Co Accountants, PM+M, FMGS Law and the sale of Digital Post Solutions to The Mailing Room, with Fortus and Bevan Kidwell.

Andy Harris, Corporate partner at Howes Percival, commented, 

“We are thrilled to have been named Corporate Law Firm of the Year and to have been shortlisted for four deals in total. We aspire to be the ‘go-to’ firm for corporate, commercial, and banking work in the Central and Eastern region and this prestigious award and the shortlistings show not only that our team is more than capable of handling some of the most complex and high-profile deals in the area, but also that the team is being recognised for doing so.”

“2020 was a breakthrough year for us, with what is still a relatively new team. We’ve invested heavily in the last couple of years and expanded our services significantly. As a result, we’ve also started 2021 with a real bang, completing 32 deals in the first quarter, with a combined value of £263 million. We are becoming known as a team to talk to in relation to larger transactions and are receiving more referrals from existing customers and other advisers. We’re confident that 2021 will continue to be a very busy year for us.”

For more information on Howes Percival’s corporate advisory services visit: https://www.howespercival.com/services/corporate/

Howes Percival has announced nine senior promotions across its Cambridge, Norwich, Leicester and Northampton offices, including three new partners.

Jay Mehta, Rob Starr and Matthew Thompson have been made partners in the firm. Jamie Childs has been promoted to the level of Director. Julia Parsley, Katie Easter, Ben Hancox, Harriet Rogers and Jasmine Mason have been made senior associates.

Commenting on the promotions, Geraint Davies, Howes Percival’s Chairman said,

“Congratulations to everyone on their promotions, which acknowledge the invaluable contribution these individuals have made in their respective practice areas and to the firm overall. These promotions also reflect our commitment to nurturing and developing talent within the firm – with four of the nine individuals completing their training with Howes Percival.”

PARTNER LEVEL APPOINTMENTS

Jay Mehta – specialism: Planning law (Norwich Office)

Jay supports his clients with the delivery of strategic residential development including large urban extensions and allocations, commercial, agricultural, and renewable energy projects. Recommended in the Legal 500, Jay’s clients include national house builders, promoters, and local planning authorities. He has significant experience in judicial review and planning appeals, with continued success in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. Jay also advises on matters such as enforcement, certificates of lawfulness, complex section 106 and highways agreements, compulsory purchase, town and village greens, listed buildings consent and permitted development rights.

In March, Jay was listed as the sixth highest rated planning solicitor in the UK in Planning Magazine’s 2021 Planning Law Survey.

Rob Starr – specialism: Regulatory matters (Northampton Office)

Rob has built a formidable reputation advising companies and individuals. He has extensive experience of representing clients under investigation by enforcing authorities including the HSE, CQC, Environment Agency, Police and Fire Authorities. He also appears regularly before the Coroners court in relation to fatal accidents. As a former prosecutor with the Serious Fraud Office, Rob has an in depth understanding of the approach of regulators and has managed large complex cases and undertaken numerous internal investigations into fraud, corruption and whistleblowing allegations.

Matthew Thompson – specialism: Corporate, Commercial and Banking (Northampton Office)

Matthew specialises in a broad range of corporate transactional matters including acquisitions and disposals, mergers, investment and private equity based transactions, together with complex and high value corporate reorganisations and restructurings. He is also experienced in drafting and providing advice on all types of commercial contracts in a variety of sectors. . Matthew joined Howes Percival as a trainee in 2012 before qualifying into the Corporate, Commercial and Banking team and has since built his reputation as a leading corporate lawyer in the Northamptonshire region.

DIRECTOR LEVEL APPOINTMENT

Jamie Childs – specialism: Planning law (Norwich office)

Jamie is experienced in advising on significant, high profile and contentious residential development projects. He regularly advises on a wide range of commercial, energy and retail projects and has a proven track record of negotiating complex planning agreements on some of the largest development projects in the eastern region. Jamie also covers licensing law matters and was described as a “rising star” in the Legal 500 (2021).

SENIOR ASSOCIATE PROMOTIONS

Katie Easter – Estates (Norwich office).

Ben Hancox – Corporate and Commercial (Leicester office).

Jasmine Mason – Commercial Property (Leicester office).

Julia Parsley – Estates (Norwich office).

Harriet Rogers – Corporate, Commercial and Banking (Northampton office).

Howes Percival provides a full-service legal offering across a wide range of specialist sectors, for more information visit: https://www.howespercival.com/sectors/.

The team at Uptech have always strived to lead the way for IT support in Kings Lynn and West Norfolk. And they have always been at the forefront of Cyber Security, even going back to when it was a book through the post once a month. 

To mark our commitment to this, we have now been certified as a Microsoft Gold Partner. What does that mean for our clients? A Microsoft Gold Partner provides high-quality Microsoft-related products or services, in competencies (technical topics) that were awarded the Gold certification from Microsoft after achieving a few prerequisites and milestones in terms of performance, quality of service & customer care.

So, the Gold certification is a testament to the firm’s customer care ability & quality of service in the specialty designated in that certification / competency, and it is Microsoft’s way of acknowledging their best partners. It’s a way for companies to differentiate themselves from competition.

Also this month, the team has passed Cyber Essentials Plus Certification. What is Cyber Essential Plus, and what does it do? Cyber Essentials Plus is the highest level of certification offered under the Cyber Essentials scheme, an official UK wide, government-backed certification that helps companies guard against the most common cyber threats and reduce your risk by at least 95%.

Cyber Essentials Plus ensures you have the five technical controls needed in place, with cybersecurity verification completed by a regulated auditor. This audit is the key difference between Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus. 

Cyber Essentials is the guidelines we base our services on, ensuring that our clients have the key points in place to make sure that their data is secure, and their clients data is secure as well.  

For more information on our services, or how to obtain Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus. book a call with us here. 

The underlying theme of our first series of Tourism Business Chat, was reflection. The guests looked back on 2020, and how the sector was weathering the COVID-19 storm. Series two launched as we were approaching the road map into recovery, so naturally, presenter, Chris Scargill, noticed a subtle shift towards a refreshed optimism, and guided the conversations around other aspects of working in the sector.

The series finale is a chat with Karen Hester, Chief Operating Officer of Adnams brewery in Southwold. Karen describes her story as ‘from mop to top’ – starting her career at Adnams as a cleaner, she’s now an award winning, glass ceiling breaking COO. This is the story of Karen’s personal journey into the world of business, and of her successes along the way; from suing the Ministry of Defence for sexism, to her supervision of the ground-breaking, multi-million pound, sustainable rebuild projects at Adnams.

Chris also chats to Geoff Bligh, co-owner of the hugely popular Hank’s Deli and Pub in Ipswich. Geoff left his successful career in the City to bring his passion for vegan food to Ipswich and was taken aback by the demand! Now with a supermarket, two take-aways and the region’s first fully vegan pub, Geoff speaks honestly about how they were able to turn the initial worries of lockdown into opportunities to expand.

Oliver Brown, from Wivenhoe House Hotel in Essex, discusses the role that Hospitality Action plays in supporting those with mental health issues and why their work is more important than ever. They discuss the Edge Hotel School, and how its students have overcome the challenges that the last 12 months have put on the shoulders of those studying hospitality, and indeed the hotel, whose job it is to train them, with no customers!

We also get a behind-the-scenes look at Thursford, home of the famous Christmas Spectacular. Brothers, George and Charlie Cushing, talk about how they set about creating a new theatre-esq show for 2020. Their enthusiasm is not just for Thursford itself, but in supporting the local economy, which relies on their thousands of visitors to the area, as well as the arts industry, within which so many professionals rely on them for seasonal work.

Judy Randon, a customer experience director from insight6, speaks clearly about what businesses need to be doing now in order to protect their brand, which is at risk coming out of lockdown. She also gives great advice on what businesses need to focus on and prioritise, including a re-evaluation of their values.

“I have found so much inspiration in these podcasts, listening to experts within the industry who have spoken so openly with Chris about their experiences” Judy said; “whether you’re interested in learning about strategy, culture in the workplace, planning for growth or the impact stay-cations will have, there is so much covered!”

There’s so much inspiration in this series; whether you’re interested in learning about strategy, culture in the workplace, planning for growth or the impact stay-cations will have! By the time we return for series three, businesses will be opening up again, and we can’t wait to hear how they are coping and, hopefully, thriving!

You can find Tourism Business Chat on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or you can listen online, just visit www.larking-gowen.co.uk/tourism-insights

This Friday 21 May, marking the end of Action for Brain Injury Week and Hats for Headway Day, Headway will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the most hats thrown in the air, at the same time, online.

They’re aiming to get 200+ people to participate online (Zoom). 

Would any of your team dig out a favourite hat and register to take part? And share a pic / video clip on social media in advance, to encourage others to sign up? Here’s all the info…

The charity is also asking a few businesses/organisations to shoot a short video, of their teams throwing hats in the air, to be used online on the day of the attempt.  (Short clip, shot landscape). Could you help?

Further details below.

HATS FOR HEADWAY – GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT ONLINE, 21 MAY 2021

What’s happening?

On Friday 21st May 2021 at 4pm, Headway staff and supporters will set out to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘Most People Throwing Hats Simultaneously Online’ – hosted on Zoom. It’s all part of the charity’s Hat’s for Headway day (21 May) and aims to spread some laughter across Norfolk whilst raising awareness around living with the after effects of brain injury and stroke.

Want to take part? Join Headway Norfolk and Waveney and be a record breaker! Take part from the comfort of home or from work. All you need is access to a computer screen, a Zoom account, a hat and bundles of excitement.

 Next steps

1. To register, simply email recordbreaker@headway-nw.org.uk ASAP with the name and individual email addresses of each participant.
2. Headway Norfolk and Waveney will send everyone the next steps via email. The Zoom invite will arrive before 20 May.
3. There’s no fundraising involved, no fee to take part, but any kind voluntary donations can be made via Headway’s Just Giving page.

Sign up and share on social

If you would like to be part of this record-breaking attempt, please tell everybody about it! And help Headway spread the word on social media.

• Send Faye.Anderson@headway-nw.org.uk (communications officer) a photo of you wearing a hat, or even better, a short video clip of you throwing your hat up in the air.
• Share your photos and videos on your social channels, and tag Headway Norfolk and Waveney – using #recordbreaker and #hatsforheadway.              Facebook                        Instagram                             Twitter
• Greatest Hits Radio and BBC Radio Norfolk have already booked interviews to get everyone talking about the world record attempt, and it has been in the EDP too.

 This will help raise awareness about the incredible support Headway delivers to people and their families, after such a life-changing event.   But; it’s also an up-lifting, feel-good charity event, and fun way to mark 4pm on a Friday!

The Best Employers virtual conference on Thursday 22 April 2021, marked the launch of the sign up click here >

Business Professionals from across the Eastern region came together in April 2021 at this webinar,  organised by the get in touch with us.

In celebration of Scale Up Week, Scale Up New Anglia have created a series of online events giving you the unique opportunity to learn about the support, programmes and development opportunities available to you and your business across our region.

Hear from the people that not only deliver the programme but from those that have lived it as well. These events offer the unique chance to ask questions and truly gain an understanding of what the programme can offer you and your business and compare and discuss them in an open and honest forum with other like-minded businesses.

Explore the events and book your places below:

Monday 17th May

SUNA Exploring Pathways – The Sounding Board 1pm – 2.30pm

Aimed at established businesses facing big decisions, this is your chance to find out about this unique support opportunity that goes beyond peer-to-peer engagement. The Sounding Board will introduce to your ecosystem people who have taken businesses to the next level and beyond – think of it as peer-to-peer on steroids!

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Innovate UK EDGE 3pm – 4.30pm

In this session, Senior Innovation & Growth Specialist and Scaleup Director, Chris Ellis, will introduce you to the St John’s Innovation Centre Cambridge team and talk through the eligibility criteria for the portfolio of fully-funded support available to businesses driving growth and internationalisation through innovation.

Tuesday 18th May

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Goldman Sachs GS10KSB 1pm – 2.30pm

The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme is designed to provide high-quality, practical education and business support to leaders of high-growth small businesses and social enterprises across the country. Designed by business education experts and run in partnership with leading UK universities and business schools, the programme is fully funded for all participants.

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Elite & AIM 3pm – 4.30pm

ELITE is the largest international SMEs network and private market connecting companies with capital and AIM, part of London Stock Exchange, is the world’s most successful growth market – empowering companies, investors and the economy. In this session, they will each present how they help founders and entrepreneurs fulfil their growth ambitions and potential.

Wednesday 19th May

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Silver to Gold and Mastermind 3pm – 4.30pm

Silver to Gold and Mastermind are SUNA’s dedicated fully-funded learning and development pathways for local businesses looking to scale up. In this session find out how both pathways, which are a mix of peer to peer and structured learning sessions, can give you the ability to expand your business and network with like-minded people in our region.

Thursday 20th May

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Tech Nation 1pm – 2.30pm

Tech Nation is the UK network for ambitious digital tech entrepreneurs and our vision is to make the UK the best place to imagine, start and grow a digital business. Lead by Entrepreneur Engagement Manager, Thea Goodluck, find out how Tech Nation supports entrepreneurs to grow faster through knowledge, connections and structured growth programmes, having supported the likes of Zoopla, Monzo and Deliveroo.

SUNA Exploring Pathways – Innovate UK Exemplas 3pm – 4.30pm

Are you an innovative company? Are you Growing? Are you interested in expanding internationally? Would you benefit from impartial, external innovation and growth support to help you reach your goals? If so, this is the seminar for you!

In this week’s episode of Impromptu Business Chat, James and Mark chat about the challenge for businesses and their people returning from furlough, including changes to anxiety, confidence and motivation levels.  As always they end with 3 top tips, and along the way they take inspiration from Motivational Maps, Sir Clive Woodward and Mohammad Ali.

You can learn more about motivational maps here.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Whilst you are there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast!

Listen here!

Ashtons Legal has advised easyProperty on an £800k fundraise to secure finances for its future growth.

easyProperty is part of the well-known easy family of brands owned by easyGroup. easyProperty is seeking to transform the way people sell their properties with technology and agents throughout the UK and is planning significant growth over the next 12 months through its franchised business model. This recent funding secures the funds required for this planned expansion of the business.

The team at Ashtons who advised easyProperty on the legal issues surrounding raising of funds was led by partner James Tarling and included members of the firm’s specialist franchise team. Investors came on board through the Seedrs crowdfunding platform with matched funding coming from the Government-backed British Business Bank Future Fund loan scheme.

David Brierley, easyProperty CEO, comments: “Working with James and his team was a pleasure and nothing was too much trouble despite the very tight deadlines we ended up working to and the need for calls with multiple participants dotted around Europe“.

James Tarling from Ashtons adds: “It has been great working with David and his team as they take such an iconic brand into a new market. We have worked with many businesses as they scale their business for future growth despite the significant challenges in the corporate marketplace over the last year. We look forward to continuing to work with the easyProperty team as they expand their business over the coming months and years”.

At St Edmunds Society we know that every person is different. We know that mainstream education isn’t for everyone, and we pride ourselves on doing things a little differently. We support young people who may have felt challenged or out of place in a mainstream environment. At St Eds we offer a range of exciting vocational training courses such as Catering and Hospitality, Hair and Beauty, Carpentry, Tiling, Construction, Painting and Decorating and Mechanics.

As you can imagine work experience is very important to us here at St Eds, as it is another way for our young people to gain direct hands-on experience in the workplace. We are connected to many amazing businesses in the community that have seen lots of benefits from working with us such as:

• Recruitment strategy – getting ahead of competition by bringing enthusiastic young people with fresh ideas into the business.
• Helping business to develop a loyal and talented workforce.
• Shaping the skills of young people from the local community.
• Generating good PR for business, and brand loyalty.
• Giving established members of staff the chance to develop their skills in mentoring and coaching young people.

If you are able to offer work experience opportunities for any of our students, please contact Megan Howitt, Study Programme Officer.

megan.howitt@st-eds.org.uk

01603 622035 or 07591 203412

The series finale is a chat with Karen Hester, Chief Operating Officer of Adnams brewery in Southwold. Karen describes her story as ‘from mop to top’ – starting her career at Adnams as a cleaner, she’s now an award winning, glass ceiling breaking COO.

She chats to Chris about all things lockdown, pivoting, the digital revolution, stay-cations, the importance of wellbeing coming out of the pandemic, and much more, but this episode is really about the story of Karen’s personal journey into the world of business, and of her successes along the way.

Karen started her career, as a young woman, in the army, in part to help escape a turbulent childhood home. When she became pregnant, she was forced to leave, whilst her husband, also in the army, could stay. So, she sued the MOD, and won! Her case is still cited to this day in reports and teaching, and this experience also led to her personal pursuit of justice for all, and her current role as a magistrate.

Karen later joined Adnams as a part-time cleaner, where her potential and work ethic was spotted. She began working her way up, gaining experience in all areas of the business, including logistics, and has spent decades breaking down the barriers that society puts up around women in business, and smashing stereotypes, particularly around executive roles for working mothers.

During her trailblazing career, she has overseen multi-million pound rebuild projects with a focus on sustainability; has been voted East of England Businesswoman of the Year; and has been given an honorary doctorate from the University of Suffolk.

Despite all of the focus on her success as a woman in a male-dominated world, she does not believe that women should be given roles they don’t deserve, believing that giving a woman the role of a director BECAUSE she’s a woman is just as insulting as NOT giving it to her because she’s a woman! She speaks candidly about the challenges women need to overcome in order to reach their potential, including resisting imposter syndrome, and combating emotional bias in decision making.

This episode is a must-listen, not just for business leaders, but for anyone interested in the role gender plays in the workplace, and anyone in need of a little bit of inspiration, and motivation to succeed!

Visit Adnams here 

If you are enjoying Tourism Business Chat, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss out on series three which launches soon! 

Listen here!