Grant Thornton agrees strategic investment with Cinven
Business and financial advisor Grant Thornton UK LLP’s partnership has unanimously voted in favour of a strategic investment from international private equity firm Cinven, which will accelerate Grant Thornton’s growth through additional capital and other resources. The firm will retain its partnership structure and ethos, but with external investment.
Having grown significantly over recent years, the firm, which has offices in Leicester and Nottingham, has been exploring external capital to accelerate the next phase of its growth, allowing it to substantially invest in its talent and technologies.
Having reached record revenue in 2023 (£654m), the firm is expected to surpass this in 2024 and, with the support of external investment, aims to reach £1bn over the coming years.
Following a review of its strategic options over recent months, the firm’s partners have unanimously voted in favour of a strategic partnership with Cinven, owing to the two firms’ shared vision for Grant Thornton’s future success and complementary cultures.
Cinven is one of Europe’s largest private equity firms and has been investing for more than 40 years. It has raised circa €50 billion funds.
Malcolm Gomersall, CEO of Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “The story of our growth journey over recent years has been remarkable. We’ve weathered some of the most significant macroeconomic events in history and we’ve come out of them even stronger, both financially and culturally.
“The dynamics of our sector, both here in the UK and internationally, have also changed dramatically over recent years. We’re incredibly proud of the firm we are today, and we’re ready to write the next chapter in our story.
“We recognise the opportunity that external investment can offer to help us further accelerate our growth, whilst retaining our partnership structure and ethos, and provide an outstanding experience for our people and clients. We’re therefore looking forward to partnering with Cinven.
“We were attracted to their admiration of our commitment to high-quality service (particularly in our audit practice), our breadth of services, our client centric offering, the culture we foster at our firm and our growth plans.”
Maxim Crewe, Partner and Head of Cinven’s Financial Services Sector team, added: “Grant Thornton’s reputation for quality, its stand-out culture and considerable financial performance in recent years provide a very attractive partnership proposition.
“Through this investment we see considerable opportunity to further enhance the quality of the firm’s service to clients and build and nurture high-performance teams. We’re excited to work with the team as we support Grant Thornton to accelerate the next phase of its growth.”
The firm has also announced plans to introduce an Employee Benefit Trust arrangement for many of its people below Partner grade to benefit from Grant Thornton’s long-term growth, comprising both cash and equity rewards.
Also as part of the transaction, the firm’s partners have agreed to hold back a material amount of equity for future partners during the investment period – thus protecting the future generation of partners over the next few years.
The terms of the proposed transaction between Grant Thornton and Cinven remain confidential. The transaction is expected to complete towards the end of Q1 2025, subject to regulatory approval, and other standard conditions.
Increasing wages pile pressure on business, says BCC
New Office for National Statistics figures showing the pace at which wages are rising indicate tough times for business, according to Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce.
She says it will be a concern for businesses continuing to grapple with the increase in employment costs announced in the autumn Budget. The unemployment rate remains unchanged, showing ongoing challenges in the labour market.
She said: “Higher employer National Insurance Contributions and an increase in the national living wage from next April mean firms are facing difficult decisions. Many say they will have to raise prices, put recruitment and investment plans on hold and look for other ways to reduce their costs.
“Although the level of vacancies in the economy is now fast approaching the pre-pandemic level, this does not mean the recruitment crisis is over. Our latest research shows that over three quarters of SMEs are still struggling to find staff with the skills they need.
“With firms reconsidering their recruitment plans due to rising employment costs, there is a risk this could impact the labour market in the months ahead. But it is crucial the Government continues to take action to tackle the skills crisis, boost workforce health and ease economic inactivity.”
£9.5m allocated to economy-boosting East Midlands projects
The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has approved £9.5 million in funding to go to local projects that will help support economic growth for the region.
The money comes from EMCCA’s Investment Fund and the authority has worked with partners to look at projects that can make an impact in the region that do important work to invest in homes, jobs, manufacturing, clean energy creation and greener spaces.
The funding was discussed and approved on Monday 16 December at the EMCCA Board meeting in Mansfield.
This batch of funding is set to go to the following projects:
South Derbyshire Growth Zone (SDGZ) (South Derbyshire)
Up to £1.5 million for the SDGZ to help to facilitate a new junction on the A50 Trunk Road which would enable plans to build 4,500 homes (with Garden Village status) and 3.45 million square feet of commercial floorspace, plus supporting infrastructure including a secondary school.
Trent Clean Energy Supercluster (Bassetlaw)
Up to £3 million to move delivery forward for the Trent Clean Energy Supercluster, which centres on three former coal-fired Power Stations located alongside the River Trent: West Burton, High Marnham and Cottam, all in Bassetlaw. The West Burton power station site in North Nottinghamshire will be home to the ground-breaking STEP prototype fusion energy plant. Fusion promises to be a safe, low carbon and sustainable part of the world’s energy supply with potential to help sustain net zero in the future.
Derby City Urban Quarter (Derby)
Up to £3.75 million for Derby City to transform priority areas to create a vibrant, sustainable, and accessible urban quarter. The funding will enable the wider project work to revitalise historic buildings, enhance transport infrastructure, create new homes and improve public realm.
Broad Marsh (Nottingham)
Up to £3.392 million for Broad Marsh in Nottingham to carry out demolition of part of the frame on the land near to the newly opened Green Heart. This will be an important step in helping to bring forward work on Broad Marsh which will, when complete, provide 1,600 homes and create just over 2,000 jobs, whilst providing a wide range of facilities, entertainment, and attractions.
Infinity Park (Derby)
Up to £1.5 million for a Research and & Development Facility within EMCCA’s Investment Zone to support advanced manufacturing and nuclear sectors. The project will provide services, facility hire and collaborative space to attract new supply chain businesses and inward investment. The funding from the Investment Fund will be used to repurpose existing space available on the Investment Zone site to enable the delivery of new research and development activities which would mean more jobs created.
Avenue Site Southern Access (North-East Derbyshire)
Up to £1 million for The Avenue (Wingerworth), which continues the delivery of one of the most ambitious and effective remediation projects ever undertaken in the UK. The Avenue has been transformed from one of the most polluted sites in Europe to a mixed-use development of sports pitches, nature reserve, housing development. This funding will go towards creating a southern access to the sites to deliver improved access for vehicles and pedestrians and enable future development.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “These projects have been chosen for funding this year because their delivery will help boost the region’s economy. They will create jobs, help towards building homes, boosting local businesses and manufacturing, and produce cleaner energy.
“We want to support and enable them to continue their work and help us towards achieving our vision for an East Midlands full of opportunities, from having good jobs, quality education, and thriving local economies.
“We want to invest in vital projects, we can’t achieve the vision on our own, we need to work with partners across the region to invest in the right projects, projects that will make a real difference and this funding is just the start for the East Midlands.”
2025 Business Predictions: Rob Woolston, Director at rg+p
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 Rob Woolston, Director at rg+p, the multi-disciplinary design practice.
Earlier this year, someone told me that “2024 is a year to get through” before things started moving in 2025. This has certainly been the case. While 2024 has brought political stability, and elevated new homes to the top of the agenda, the property sector still awaits meaningful action.
Two triggers to kickstart 2025 positively are:
- The NPPF Update – which arrived as promised on 12th December, this has brought clarity on some of the government’s headline manifesto statements. Housing targets have been reintroduced; the definition of grey belt land is set out; the reintroduction of regional spatial strategies; and there is a requirement for Local Authorities to have an up-to-date Local Plan completed within a set time period. All of which will help provide more context and direction for preparing, submitting and ultimately, determining planning applications during 2025.
- Affordable Housing Boost – the Spring Spending Review must deliver a significant financial programme and long-term rent settlement for affordable housing providers to give them the confidence to raise investment capital and commit to future development. This needs to come with a quick mechanism to put any new programme in place and should prioritise social rent schemes which have been identified as key to the delivery of the pledged 1.5m new homes.
Shorts appoints Chesterfield-based Tax Partner
Shorts has appointed Craig Walker as Tax Partner with effect from 1 December, joining existing Tax Partners Chris Chambers, Scott Burkinshaw, and David Robinson and working from the company’s Chesterfield office.
Responding to a decade of sustained growth, the appointment of Shorts’ fourth Tax Partner supports the company’s continued commitment to growing the Tax department and underpins the firm’s continued development and strength.
An experienced Chartered Tax Adviser and member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Craig has over 20 years’ tax experience at large regional firms and a top 15 firm, and he rejoins Shorts twelve years after previously completing his early tax training at the firm.
An enthusiastic advocate for his hometown of Chesterfield, Craig will advise clients on all areas of UK taxation with a particular focus on Private Client work. Going forward, his role will transition progressively towards taking a more active role in the leadership and strategy of the firm, in particular within the Private Client team as Chris Chambers moves towards retirement.
Craig said “I am thrilled and honoured to be joining the team at Shorts, during such an exciting time in the firm’s growth and history, and I am proud to take this next step on my professional journey. I am very much looking forward to working with the leadership team.”
Generous marketers answer the call for Derby families as they donate to Audrey’s Charity
Warm-hearted digital marketers stepped into the role of Santa when they brought in armfuls of gifts, food and toys to help a Derby charity this Christmas.
Staff at JDR Group, based in Pride Park, collected the goodies as part of their annual bid to spread some festive cheer after choosing to support Derby-based Audrey’s Charity.
The charity supports local people and underprivileged families who are experiencing financial hardship, by giving them access to furniture, clothing, electrical goods and food.
It was set up by Sinfin dad-of-four Earl Richards in 2017, who was inspired to make a difference to local families by his mum, who he also named the charity after. It has helped many thousands of families in its time and, thanks to donations from local people and companies like JDR Group, it is set to help many more this Christmas too.
Leanne said: “We recognise that Christmas is a time of giving and so we always choose a charity to support at this time of year. We gave our staff a choice and asked them to vote, and Audrey’s Charity was the winner.
“We all agree it’s a great choice, because it’s local and impactful on the community of Derby. Its work with disadvantaged families, especially at this time of year, is commendable and something we are all proud to get behind.”
Earl added: “Everyone at JDR Group is amazing and we appreciate them all – we hope they have a great Christmas.”
£3.2 million sale for Derby retail park
Midlands property agency Bond Wolfe has brokered the sale of the remaining units on Derby’s Southgate Retail Park for a combined price of £3.2 million.
Bond Wolfe has now completed the £1.9 million off-market sale of the rest of the retail park, with Connect Derby Properties Ltd again the buyer.
It comes after the £1.3 million sale this summer of Southgate’s Unit 5, let to The Gym Group, to Connect.
The retail park provides a total gross income of £285,344 per annum with other tenants including Royal Mencap Society, One Below Retail Ltd, and Swarco.
The property was sold off a net initial yield of 7.14%.
Clark Brookes Turner Cary Solicitors in West Bromwich acted for the seller and Elliot Matther in Derby advised Connect Derby Properties Ltd.
The entire park consists of a 53,202 sq ft, eight-unit retail and office property combining a modern retail warehouse scheme and a business innovation centre.
James Mattin, managing director agency at Birmingham-based Bond Wolfe, said: “We are delighted to have concluded this off market sale of the remainder of Southgate Retail Park.
“Demand for retail park investment opportunities continues to grow and we continue to see strong activity from private and corporate purchasing entities alike.”
He added: “We are always ready to discuss specific requirements from investors looking for opportunities.”
Approval for Council’s £3.4m Broad Marsh site funding bid
Nottingham City Council has been successful in applying for a £3.4m grant to allow further demolition of the former Broad Marsh shopping centre.
The council bid for the money from the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCAA) which approved the award as part of a wider allocation of £9.5m to councils and organisations across the region at a meeting in Newark yesterday (Monday 16 December).
It will come from EMCCA’s Investment Fund and the authority has worked with local partners to consider projects that invest in homes, jobs, manufacturing, clean energy creation and greener spaces.
The city council applied for up to £3.392m to carry out partial demolition of the section of the former shopping centre which is south of the old mall, from the area of the recently-opened Green Heart to Middle Hill.
It does not represent a total demolition of the remainder of the site and the next step will be for a detailed business case to be submitted in the New Year.
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council and Executive Member for Strategic Regeneration, Transport and Communications, said: “I’m really pleased that this funding was approved at EMCCA’s meeting today. It’s an important award and a major step forward in our ambitious plans for Broad Marsh.
“This is also an early example of the benefits of strong partnership working between the city council and the new Regional Mayor to accelerate key projects that matter to our city and bring huge benefits to local people and businesses.
“It helps us continue our progress on the Broad Marsh masterplan to transform a key part of the city centre following on from the recent opening of the Green Heart, the transformation of nearby Sussex Street, and the fantastic Central Library and children’s play area.
“This part of Nottingham is unrecognisable to even five years ago and we look forward to overseeing further development of this important location.”
Transformation nears completion at Glossop Halls
The major regeneration project to rejuvenate Glossop Halls is nearing its end, with building work almost complete and High Peak Borough Council in the final stages of appointing a partner to manage the buildings and the services that will operate from them.
The Council is leading the multi-million pound transformation which will see the historic buildings remain at the heart of the town centre for generations to come.
The construction work is now nearing completion and the Council is in the process of completing the legal work to formally appoint Fork and Field Catering Limited as its operational partner following a recent decision by the Council’s Executive.
Council Leader, Councillor Anthony Mckeown, said: “This is the biggest investment in Glossop’s much-loved heritage buildings for many years. The results are fantastic and we’re so excited for everyone to see this transformation when the doors re-open next year.
“What originally started off as just repairs and replacement of the market roof became a plan, with the additional funding we were able to get, to restore and return the whole complex back to use.
“Buildings of this age and heritage inevitably present challenges and things have taken a little longer than any of us hoped. I’d like to thank people for their ongoing patience whilst we complete these final stages.
“We’re all so impressed by what’s been delivered and we can’t wait to share the results. I can promise it will definitely have been worth the wait!”
The work was funded by the Council with a £2 million grant contribution from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (now transitioned into East Midlands Combined County Authority) via their Getting Building Fund.
There will new business opportunities, including for creatives and entrepreneurs, as well as new food and drink, leisure and socialising spaces, and places for community use.
Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, said: “This is game-changing for Glossop. The major investment we’ve made provides something for everyone and will ensure these buildings are the beating heart of our town now and in the decades to come.
“We are sure, after a rigorous selection and assurance process, that our new operating partner has a clear vision, the right values and ambitious plans for the use of these buildings which match the outstanding new interiors.
“Once the paperwork is complete, we’ll be revealing the name they’ll be trading under in Glossop and sharing more details about what we all have to look forward to in the new year.”
Trio of Venture Builder-backed startups achieve major investment milestones
Three startups supported by the Venture Builder at Nottingham Business School’s Centre for Business and Industry Transformation (CBIT) have achieved significant milestones in investment and growth.
The fully funded Venture Builder programme focuses on nurturing entrepreneurs through a comprehensive suite of support, with key offerings including in-depth business model clinics and innovation sessions, business process and product road mapping, strategic growth hacking, and investment readiness.
These core services are complemented by additional resources tailored to the unique needs of each startup.
PulpaTronics, Quoroom, and Freeaim participated in the programme as part of a cohort that benefited from tailored guidance designed to enhance their ventures.
This included mapping value propositions and business models for more clarity, exploring new customer segments and channels, grant support, evaluating and validating new ideas, and receiving critical product feedback.
The mentorship and sparring partnership approach fostered an environment where these startups could refine their strategies and gain support at every stage of their journey.
Highlighting the potential of entrepreneurial ambition combined with strategic guidance from CBIT’s Venture Builder programme, this latest Venture Builder cohort have since achieved remarkable successes.
PulpaTronics recently closed its funding round with £430K of investment to achieve the company’s mission to deliver fully recyclable, metal-free and chipless RFID tags to track single-use items. The capital will allow them to accelerate product development, launch pilot trials with industry leaders, and expand its operations to meet market demand.
Freeaim – creator of Virtual Reality robotic shoes that allow the user to walk naturally in any direction while fully immersed in VR – raised £250K pre-seed funding. This investment will facilitate the immediate launch of a developer version of its flagship VR shoes and support scaling production for a full consumer release in 2025.
Quoroom, an investment management platform for angel syndicates, VC funds and founders achieved a major milestone by acquiring Investory, a company working in the angel investing sector. This acquisition added over 30 funds and angel investor groups as clients, with approximately 1,000 companies using its services.
Chloe So, co-founder & CEO of PulpaTronics, said: “Having just closed our pre-seed funding round, the timing of joining CBIT could not have aligned any better. We’ve been able to receive support around go to market strategy as well as new market segments. They have also been instrumental with grant applications.”
Recently crowned the Technology Innovation Champion at the prestigious UK Innovation Awards 2024, CBIT continues to expand its mission of empowering disruptive businesses to challenge industry norms and redefine what’s possible.
The Venture Builder programme is rooted in a vision to be more than just a support mechanism – it seeks to create a vibrant ecosystem where entrepreneurs are equipped to tackle complex challenges, embrace innovation, and scale with confidence.
Participating start-ups have access to an array of perks, including advanced hardware and software technologies such as drones, AI development-ready stations, 3D printers for prototyping, and credits for essential services like Notion, Miro, AWS, Siemens, Make Automation and other essential tools.
By fostering collaboration and providing access to cutting-edge tools and strategic support, the programme aspires to be a launchpad for businesses that transform industries and create lasting impact. CBIT envisions a future where every venture not only achieves their goals but also contributes to driving meaningful change in their respective industries.
Georgi Iliev, head of the Venture Builder at CBIT, said: “The achievements of PulpaTronics, Freeaim, and Quoroom showcase the value of tailored support and strategic guidance in driving innovation and growth through the Sparring Partnership Approach. At CBIT, we are proud to be a catalyst for their success and to contribute to shaping the future with disruptive businesses that change the industry norms.”
