Law firm boosts planning team with high-profile partner
Howes Percival has appointed highly regarded planning partner Marco Mauro to its planning team, following a significant increase in new instructions.
Initially based in the East Midlands, Marco is recognised as one of the go-to planning lawyers nationally and was head of planning for many years at his previous firm. Marco’s practice covers the Midlands, Central, Home Counties regions and beyond.
Marco has over 17 years’ experience gained in all areas of planning, acting for developers, landowners, housing associations, investors, financial institutions, occupiers and high net worth individuals.
His experience includes dealing with complicated planning obligations and infrastructure agreements, providing due diligence on property and corporate transactions and advising on and dealing with legal oversight of planning applications, appeals and claims for judicial review.
Jay Mehta, head of planning, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Marco to Howes Percival. He is very well known and regarded, right across the planning sector, and brings a wealth of experience.
“We pride ourselves on being solution focussed and providing excellent client service. Marco is renowned for his ‘can do’ approach, proactive manner and ability to find solutions for clients, which has made him a recognised expert in his field and a perfect fit for our growing team.
“The planning system – and indeed legislation and case law – continues to evolve at a record pace and will continue to do so following the election, with the Labour Government pledging to ‘bulldoze through’ planning rules to boost housing delivery to 1.5m homes and support other developments, including infrastructure and renewable energy schemes.
“However, in recent years, environmental issues including water scarcity, nutrient neutrality and air quality have stalled the delivery of new developments, particularly housing, across the UK. As a consequence, the importance of the planning law team’s role for our clients has expanded, which has led to a significant increase in instructions year on year as we help our clients navigate such complexities to enable their development projects to continue.”
Predicted GDP growth for East Midlands up on last year, but remains relatively subdued among the UK
The economy in the East Midlands is predicted to grow by 0.9% this year, up from 0.4% in 2023 according to the latest PwC UK Economic Outlook.
Despite this year-on-year improvement, the East Midlands still lags behind the predicted GDP growth for the UK overall, which sits at 1.0%.
However, the East Midlands is still outperforming the West Midlands (0.7%), North East and South East (0.8%) and is on par with Yorkshire, Scotland and the South West (0.9%). The capital and Northern Ireland are both predicted to see the biggest growth at 1.2%, followed by the North West and Wales (1.1%) and the East of England (1.0%).
With many different sectors driving growth across our nations and regions, PwC’s recent Framework for Growth report demonstrates how crucial localised strategies are. Business leaders interviewed for the report said that the changes most critical to their business – the skills system, planning system, infrastructure investment and overall support made available to smaller businesses – were best driven at a local level.
Alex Hudson, Market Senior Partner for PwC East Midlands, said: “Despite the data showing that economic growth in the East Midlands is lower than the UK picture, with the new government and recently created East Midlands Combined Authority, now is the time for businesses and local government to work together to develop a localised plan for growth.
“PwC’s recently launched Framework for Growth report highlighted the need for businesses and government to collaborate more closely to deliver sustainable growth and outcomes for the future. 68% of UK businesses have identified skills, education and talent as their top priority for growth.
“We have some world-class educational institutions and some of the UK’s biggest companies here. I believe that by investing in skills for younger generations and ensuring our current workforce is equipped with skills for the future, we will move the dial on the East Midlands economy, and the time to act is now.”
UK overview:
- UK GDP to grow by around 1% this year, up from the 0.5% estimate late last year. In its main scenario, PwC expects growth to pick up further to 1.7% in 2025 and 1.8% in 2026.
- It is expected that headline consumer price inflation will bounce around the Bank of England’s 2% target for the remainder of 2024, due in part to stubborn services inflation.
- Corporate insolvencies are expected to rise again this year despite already reaching a three decade high in 2023.
- Around one half of sectors are now experiencing growth and the other half contracting. The three sectors with a large proportion of public sector activity grew strongly; health & social work (2.7%), public admin & defence (2.2%), and education (1.2%).
- Consumer-facing sectors, such as retail and hotels, continue to struggle as consumers remain cautious. In PwC’s latest Consumer Sentiment Survey, 7 in 10 people said they still expect to make some spending cutbacks over the next three months
Top surveyor joins property consultancy’s East Midlands development team
An experienced surveyor has joined a property consultancy firm’s East Midlands development team as it aims to increase its influence in the region.
Phoebe Clark has joined Fisher German’s development team as a Senior Associate following eight years with Savills in Norwich, London, and Nottingham.
She will work out of Fisher German’s office in Newark-on-Trent, and will look to seal residential development deals throughout the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.
Phoebe will work alongside Fisher German partner Luke Brafield as the firm looks to capitalise on a renewed desire for housebuilding and potential planning reform following the election of the new government.
She said: “With Fisher German’s recent growth, it seemed like a really great time to be joining the firm.
“It’s long had an excellent reputation in the sector, and I felt I could play a key role in the firm’s success and grow my career alongside growing Fisher German.
“The East Midlands land market has proven to be more resilient compared to other parts of the country, and therefore demand for opportunities of all sizes has remained strong. With the likelihood that the delivery of housing will be high on the political agenda, I’m confident I can use my expertise and my strong network to secure the deals that will ensure the homes the area needs are built.”
Luke Brafield, partner at Fisher German, added: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Phoebe to the team at Fisher German at a time when lots of opportunities are likely to emerge in the residential development market.
“She brings with her a wealth of experience and a clear ambition to drive the business forward in this region.”
Promotion and recruitment strengthens Purpose Media
Strategic marketing agency Purpose Media has promoted a key member of staff and made new hires to further strengthen its account management operation.
The South Normanton-based consultancy, which provides web, digital, creative and video solutions to help its clients achieve growth, is enjoying a successful 2024, having secured a number of new business wins.
Now it has moved to underpin the expert marketing support it provides to customers by promoting Georgia Weston to senior account manager and adding Laura Tiltina and Emma Tatman to its team.
Georgia joined Purpose in 2022 as an account executive, with a Masters in brand management and experience of working for an in-house marketing team within the manufacturing sector.
She made an instant impact, forging strong relationships with clients and delivering impactful campaigns, and achieved promotion to account manager in less than a year.
Now, having helped drive six-figure new business growth for Purpose, Georgia has been appointed senior account manager – a role in which she will take more strategic oversight of key projects.
Account director Matt Bonser said Georgia’s success was another demonstration of Purpose Media’s commitment to encouraging talent.
“It was clear from day one that Georgia was a great fit with our company culture and, along with outstanding marketing ability, she showed entrepreneurship and a real dedication to helping clients achieve their objectives,” he said.
“Through peer support and participation in a formal development programme, we have been able to help her add to her skills and are delighted that she is now able to take this exciting next step in her career here at Purpose.”
Georgia believes that her previous industry experience has helped her develop empathy for client needs and that Purpose Media’s approach ensures these always remain fully in focus.
“We are a strategic partner who looks holistically at a customer’s business objectives and considers how these can best be enabled through its marketing activity,” she said.
“We’re transparent in the way we operate and ensure that the success we achieve can be clearly demonstrated. Our clients really value that.”
The account management team has been boosted with the arrival of Emma Tatman, as an account manager, and Laura Tiltina, as an account executive.
Emma is a marketing graduate who has worked in both industry and agency environments prior to joining Purpose, and has experience in online and offline marketing, organising seasonal campaigns, events and product launches and managing third-party agency relationships.
Laura, a graphic design graduate, arrives on a Level 4 Chartered Institute of Marketing-accredited apprenticeship, covering multi-channel marketing.
“Both will bring talent and enthusiasm to the team and will support our efforts to seek exciting and innovative ways to help our clients grow,” said Matt.
Property consultancy makes much-needed donation to Leicestershire school
A school in Leicestershire is set to purchase much-needed IT equipment thanks to a donation from a property consultancy.
Congerstone Primary School, in Congerstone near Market Bosworth, has received £1,406.25 through Fisher German’s ‘Building Communities’ initiative.
The school is set to purchase additional iPads to be used in lessons to support children across all year groups with their learning after retiring a number of old pieces of equipment which can no longer be used, and will be upgrading the sound system in the school hall.
The Building Communities initiative was launched in 2020 to strengthen community links and support schools, clubs and organisations with close ties to Fisher German, with the firm donating a proportion of the commission fee from completed house sales signed up to the scheme.
Katie Clarke, school governor and treasurer for the school’s PTA, said: “We would like to thank Fisher German for its support.
“Budgets are currently stretched incredibly thin for all schools, and replacing any IT equipment is a real challenge, so donations like this are a huge help.
“We’ve just retired a number of old iPads which will no longer update, so the new equipment is much-needed and will be used in lessons across all year groups.
“Fisher German’s Building Communities initiative is a fantastic scheme, and we are extremely pleased to be a beneficiary of it.”
Thomas Blake, of Fisher German, said: “Our Building Communities initiative is an excellent way of giving back to the communities in which we live and work.
“Schools often face spending cuts which can make buying essential, yet often expensive, new equipment extremely challenging.
“We are extremely pleased to present this donation to Congerstone Primary School to go towards much-needed new IT equipment, and we look forward to supporting even more schools, clubs and organisations across our communities in the future.”
Council pushing forward with plans to sell Nottingham Forest City Ground land
Nottingham City Council is pushing forward with plans to sell the land Nottingham Forest’s City Ground stands on.
At a meeting of the Executive Board, it was agreed to put the freehold up for sale to the club.
Council documents indicate it is looking to complete the disposal in 2024/25.
It follows confirmation from the leader of Nottingham City Council, Councillor Neghat Khan, that the council had agreed, in principle, terms for the sale of the land to Nottingham Forest.
She added: “This allows the club to press ahead with its ambitious plans to expand the stadium, while securing a significant capital receipt for the council.”
Nottingham Forest, however, has said that any decision to purchase the freehold will be entirely conditional on the football club first being granted the relevant permissions that will allow it to realise its plans for a larger stadium capacity, world-class hospitality spaces and associated real estate development. Decisions on these plans will be in the hands of Rushcliffe Borough Council.
The news comes after negotiations for a lease extension reached an impasse earlier in the year, with the council requesting a larger sum for the lease.
Derby firm merges with accountancy group
Derby-based accountancy firm Ashgates has announced a strategic merger with Stoke-on-Trent headquartered accountancy group, DJH.
The merger springboards DJH group into the East Midlands, expanding its footprint alongside its existing 10 offices across the Midlands, North-West, and Yorkshire regions.
The new partnership provides Ashgates clients with access to additional specialist in-house services offered across the DJH group, including enhanced R&D and capital allowances teams, commercial funding, dedicated corporate finance, estate planning, and HR.
Directors Tony Lymn, David Newborough, Steve Martin, Ian Johnson, and Gavin Booth will continue to lead the Ashgates team and will all remain shareholders. Jonathon Williamson will also be promoted to Director, having developed his career with Ashgates. Jon Wolliter will continue to head up Ashgates IT, supporting clients with IT solutions.
Tony said: “We are delighted to join forces with DJH. This partnership will strengthen both firms’ capabilities and provide our clients access to additional specialist services. It will also allow continued investment in the learning and development of our team, creating opportunities for them to grow and flourish.”
Scott Heath, Chief Executive Officer of DJH, said: “Ashgates is a great cultural fit, sharing our team-first, client-centric approach. They have built a business based on delivering exceptional business advice.”
He continued: “Founded on principles of progressive thinking and building strong client relationships, Ashgates has a comprehensive range of services, including IT support and solutions, further expanding what we offer across the Group. We’re excited about the opportunities this partnership with Ashgates will create for our teams and clients alike.”
Ashgates will retain its name and brand, and its offices will remain at 5 Prospect Place, Pride Park.
Internally, the partnership will give Ashgates more support in relation to its own HR, recruitment, and training and development.
Private equity investor exits investment in educational specialist
The East Midlands team of LDC, the private equity investor which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, has led the successful exit of its investment in educational specialist The Edwin Group to Quad Partners after a three-and-a-half-year partnership.
The Edwin Group is a values-led business, employing a team of education specialists who work nationally with schools and multi-academy trusts to safely recruit and retain the highest quality leaders, teachers and support staff.
The group is one of the UK’s largest providers of supply teachers to primary, secondary and special educational needs schools across the Vision for Education, ABC Teachers and Smart Teachers brands.
In the last 12 months, The Edwin Group has recruited over 11,000 teaching and support staff and delivered continuing professional development (CPD) to equip them with the skills they need to support schools and their young people.
Further underpinning The Edwin Group’s three strategic pillars to recruit, retain and reduce workload, are staff wellbeing specialists Still Human, curriculum enrichment services Commando Joe’s and Enrich Education, safeguarding platform Llama ID and strategic HR and leadership services from Edwin People.
LDC backed the management buyout of The Edwin Group in December 2020 from Tes Global.
Following the carve-out, the management team, led by CEO Liam Roberts and the core team of Darren Starling, Will Washington and Fiona Baker, pursued an ambitious growth strategy underpinned by four acquisitions and the expansion of the Group’s services.
The business now works with over 4,500 schools across the UK and opened nine new locations during the investment period.
The growth has been accompanied by significant investment in The Edwin Group’s people. During the partnership, the Group bolstered its senior team by appointing Sarah Monk as Chief Strategy Officer, Charlie Afif as Chief Information Officer, Diane Sequeira as Director of Product, Lucy Fox as Director of Strategic Partnerships, Hannah Dimech as Director of Marketing and Lyndsay Greathead as Director of HR.
US-based specialist education investor Quad Partners will now support The Edwin Group on the next stage of its growth journey, as the business continues to broaden its support for schools to address challenges linked to the recruitment and retention of teachers.
Liam Roberts, CEO at The Edwin Group, said: “With the team at LDC’s support, we are now better equipped than ever to meet schools’ and multi-academy trusts increasingly complex needs.
“Importantly, we’ve been able to grow the business and expand our range of products and services without losing sight of our values or our commitment to excellent customer service. We’re looking forward to embarking on this next chapter, working with more schools and multi-academy trusts, to positively impact the lives of young people.’
David Bains, Partner and Head of the East Midlands and East of England at LDC, added: “We were delighted to back a team who had a strong vision for an education services business.
“Almost four years later the same team has created a business that helps schools and multi-academy trusts with their evolving needs and challenges, whilst it has invested in its people, acquired and diversified its services and bolstered its ESG credentials. I wish them every success in the future.”
LDC was advised by Grant Thornton (corporate finance), EY Parthenon (commercial due diligence), BDO (financial due diligence) and Browne Jacobson (legal due diligence).
Nottingham-headquartered financial planning business makes acquisition in Kent
Nottingham-headquartered financial planning business, Wren Sterling, has snapped up Howe Maxted Financial Services.
Based in Sidcup in Kent, the Howe Maxted Group consists of Howe Maxted Financial Services and Howe Maxted General Insurance which is being acquired separately by JM Glendinning.
Wren Sterling now operates from 14 offices covering 12 locations across the UK with other deals at advanced stages, which will further grow its network.
James Twining, Wren Sterling’s CEO, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Howe Maxted Financial Services with their distinguished heritage and enduring client relationships. The team comprises very impressive professionals with the right blend of experience and enthusiasm for delivering for their clients.
“They have built a strong business through loyal client relationships and an excellent referral culture with the general insurance business that was part of the same group.
“Kent is a location we have targeted for some time because of its wealth and proximity to London, which will allow our teams to work closely together and help grow our business organically. The proposition that we have built for Wren Sterling clients will also be a great fit for Howe Maxted’s client, including Magnus, our discretionary fund management business.”
John Austin and David Baker, Directors of Howe Maxted Group, said: “With origins dating back over a century we are proud to have provided quality solutions to thousands of clients over many generations.
“Wren Sterling offers an enhanced range of financial planning services, shared values, and greater opportunities to benefit our clients for many years to come. Our focus remains on delivering personalised, high value planning services to clients within the security and framework of a national organisation.’’
Sir John Peace appointed independent chair for Greater Carlton Town Board and launches consultation on £20m fund
Sir John Peace has been appointed as the Independent Chair to lead the newly established Greater Carlton Town Board, an initiative set to empower local communities and shape the future of Greater Carlton and the surrounding areas with £20 million in endowment-style funding over the next decade.
The first meeting of the board was held on Wednesday 10 July at Carlton Le Willows Academy to discuss the next steps in delivering the long-term plan for the area. The board has agreed to launch a consultation, which opened on Monday 15 July, to ask residents for their views on how the money will be spent.
In March, Greater Carlton, including Carlton Hill, Netherfield, Gedling, Colwick, Burton Joyce, Stoke Bardolph, Mapperley and Mapperley Top, were selected to receive Long-Term Plan for Town funding from the government. The establishment of the Greater Carlton Town Board is a pivotal step towards community-driven decision-making, placing local people at the forefront of shaping their town’s future.
The Independent Chair will play a crucial role in leading the Greater Carlton Town Board, bringing together diverse interests and facilitating consensus to develop a comprehensive 10-year vision for Greater Carlton. Following an advertisement for expressions of interest and subsequent assessment of applications, Sir John Peace was appointed as Chair.
Sir John Peace has a long and distinguished business career at the highest levels covering the technology, financial services, and retail sectors. He was formerly Chairman, Chief Executive, and Founder of Experian plc; Chief Executive of GUS plc; Chairman of Standard Chartered plc; and Chairman of Burberry plc—all FTSE 100 companies.
Other board members have also been appointed, including the local MP for Gedling, Michael Payne, the Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE, Nottinghamshire County Councillor Keith Girling as well as local business leaders and community representatives.
Sir John Peace, Independent Chair of the Greater Carlton Town Board, said: “I am very pleased to have been appointed as the interim Chair of the Greater Carlton Town Board. We have an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people living in Carlton and the surrounding areas with this funding.
“I am looking forward to hearing from residents about their ideas for the area. I will make sure that the board is fully focused on the needs of the local community, and we will put together a plan that is led by the community that will create growth in the area. I very much look forward to the opportunities that will arise from this project.”
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE, said: “We are incredibly pleased that Sir John Peace has agreed to chair this important board. He has a great track record of success in business, he knows the area well, and like us, he cares about the residents and businesses in Carlton and the surrounding areas.
“We will now start the hard work of creating a real plan that will be community-led. It will be their voices that decide where this money goes, and I am very excited about the possibilities that this project will bring. We have been desperate for investment in these areas, so it’s now time for us to get on with the task of improving the Greater Carlton area.”
