Month: November 2023
Cripps to merge with PDT Solicitors
Kent law firm Cripps has announced a merger with PDT Solicitors, a leading commercial law firm based in Horsham, West Sussex – a strategic move set to expand Cripps’ presence in the South East.
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Two in five UK employees mulling job change in 2024
Two in five UK employees are considering changing jobs before the end of 2024, with the demand for hybrid roles driving people’s decision to move, a new study from workspace company Beyond has revealed.
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Planning delays pose the biggest threat to SME housing delivery
More than half of SME builders reported the planning system as their biggest barrier to delivering new homes, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) annual survey.
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“Lead the scene to keep it green”
Post-Autumn Statement 2023 thoughts from Mark Lumsdon Taylor, partner at MHA…
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Value of venture capital investment in South East soared to £758m in Q3
The value of venture capital (VC) investment in South East businesses rose by more than half (52%) in Q3 of 2023, according to KPMG’s latest Venture Pulse report, compiled by PitchBook.
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Surrey-based RJ Advocacy launches to support those in need of adult social care
RJ Advocacy, based in Surrey, has launched with the aim of providing essential support to those who are struggling with the UK Care System.
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Buy local
Floortje Hoette, CEO of Produced in Kent, is passionate about supporting Kent’s independent food and drink sector and helping it thrive
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Winners of Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards announced
The county’s leading businesses have been recognised by the Kent Invicta Chamber Business Awards when the 2023 winners were announced at a gala dinner on 23 November attended by nearly 250 guests.
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Knights continues growth in the South East with new hires
One of the country’s leading real estate lawyers has joined Knights as the business continues its growth in Weybridge, Surrey with four new hires.
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Savills relocates to new Brighton office
Real estate services provider Savills Brighton has moved to a new office at Runway East, York & Elder Works, Brighton.
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Littlewood Group acquires Berry Systems
East Sussex-headquartered Littlewood Group has announced the successful acquisition of Berry Systems, a leader in car park barrier systems, in a move that strengthens its capabilities and market position.
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Sustainability at the seaside
South East Business catches up with Katy Lassen, owner of Harbour & Tide, Margate’s trendy new beach essentials store
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Autumn statement 2023: Reactions from the business community
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, presented his Autumn Statement to Parliament today (Wednesday 22 November), with an eye on unlocking business investment, rewarding effort and work, growing the economy and backing businesses. We’ve gathered some reactions from the business community…
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Guildford housebuilder welcomes new graduate to trainee scheme
Guildford-based housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties is helping to tackle the construction industry skills shortage, having recently recruited its latest graduate trainee.
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Half of all UK adults have experienced imposter syndrome
New research from training and apprenticeships provider Executive Development Network shows half of all UK adults have experienced imposter syndrome and reveals what factors make you more susceptible.
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Shoppers in the South East are less interested in this year’s Black Friday
According to PwC’s annual Black Friday survey, only 10% of shoppers in the South East are certain to participate in Black Friday shopping.
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Taking charge
Surrey Research Park-based Reserve & Charge is shaping the future of EV charging through its smart reservation platform
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Department for Transport announces £734 million boost to repair roads and back drivers in the South East
Millions of people will enjoy smoother, safer and faster road journeys thanks to the biggest ever road resurfacing programme to improve local roads in the South East.
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Charity Christmas tree lighting event to be hosted by Brighton seafront attractions
Brighton’s iconic seafront is set to glow brighter than ever this year as local businesses join forces for the first time on 25th November at 1pm for a festive Christmas light switch-on event in support of The Starr Trust charity.
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East Sussex villagers benefit from £825,000 network upgrade
UK Power Networks is completing an £825,000 upgrade to the electricity network that connects homes and businesses in Forest Row, East Sussex.
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Definition Health wins at ‘Oscars of the health industry’
Sussex-based Definition Health scooped its eighth national accolade last night (16 November) with a win at the HSJ Awards for introducing digital health technology to improve patient outcomes within the NHS.
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Fit for a King
The management of Kingsgate Castle in Broadstairs, a historic site now home to 32 private flats, has been acquired by Kent property consultants Caxtons With so many new builds being developed across the South East, properties with unique heritage and charm appear to be few and far between. However, if you look in the right […]
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15 new trainees embark on a ‘Platinum’ career path with Carpenter Box
Sussex and South East accountancy firm Carpenter Box has recruited 15 new trainees onto its premium training programme.
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Stellarmann continues growth with first people manager appointment
London and Brighton-based technology and business transformation delivery partner Stellarmann has appointed Becky Mumford as people manager to support its ambitious growth plans.
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Q Catering and The Pollen Partnership to elevate school dining experiences
Sittingbourne-based independent foodservice wholesaler Q Catering has announced a strategic alliance to supply The Pollen Partnership with a range of products and ingredients for them to create high-quality nutritious meals for schools across the South East.
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IACS unveils training and education subsidiary
Westerham-based inspection, engineering and testing consultancy IACS Ltd, which specialises in pipeline construction, has announced a multi-million-pound investment in people and skills development with the launch of IACS Training and Education.
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Functional business: Legal support
Expert advice from the South East’s leading commercial law experts
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Peacehaven senior site manager wins national ‘Seal of Excellence’ award
Barratt David Wilson Homes’ Chalkers Rise senior site manager Dan Reed has received commendation for his contribution to the local property industry, being awarded with the prestigious ‘Seal of Excellence’ from the National House Building Council.
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Driving change: RIA London & South Group launches
The Railway Industry Association (RIA) London & South Group is launched to champion for rail investment in the South East
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Sussex-based Rubix VT expands team to fuel growth phase
Sussex-based business telecoms provider Rubix VT has welcomed five new employees, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth ambitions.
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Activity and new business decline solidly in the South East
A sustained weakening in the health of the South East region was signalled by the NatWest PMI data in October as companies reacted to subdued incoming new business by cutting their output levels.
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Free business advice offered to help farmers in the South East with financial planning
With a new cropping season underway, farmers and rural businesses are being urged to apply for free advice to help with budgeting and cashflow forecasting.
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Companies to spend 142% more on employees this Christmas
Remote workers are set for a very merry Christmas as employers gear up to spend a whopping 142% more on their festive celebrations, according to a study by Avva Experience.
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Business leaders back call from Locate in Kent for greater regional support
Business leaders have backed Locate in Kent’s work in highlighting the importance of Kent and Medway for the wider UK economy and supporting the need for investment that will fulfil the region’s potential over the next 25 years.
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Sharing growth is a popular way to incentivise employees
Share Incentive schemes are a popular and well-recognised way for employers to attract, motivate, incentivise and retain staff. A key advantage is that they can be set up with varying rights to incentivise growth, which is becoming increasingly popular with employers. However, the receipt of shares and/or share options are potentially subject to income tax […]
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Could PAYE Settlement Agreements stop your employees from experiencing unexpected tax bills?
Businesses are suffering increased costs and employers are looking for various ways to reward their employees and keep them engaged beyond pay rises and bonuses. The issue however is that a lot of these alternative methods can be caught by the benefit in kind (BIK) rules. BIK’s need to be reported on a form P11D […]
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The Good Divorce
For too long, the options available to couples who needed legal support to navigate their way through a separation was limited to litigation and costly drawn-out court proceedings. Over time though, the landscape for these couples has evolved and the legal support they require can now be tailored to match with their intentions to […]
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The telecoms industry is changing – what does it mean for your business?
The telecommunication industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the ISDN and PSTN networks, which have served us well for decades, are no longer capable of meeting the demands of today’s digital world. The need for faster, more versatile and cost-effective communication solutions has led to the decision to switch off ISDN and PSTN […]
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Ambitious action plan for skills
Creating a mechanism to deliver cultural and behavioural change in the local skills system is central to our Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), published in August following approval from the Secretary of State for Education. The report and accompanying action plan outlines key priorities for the local area to help reshape the technical skills system […]
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Achieving nutrient neutrality
Back in the summer of 2020, local planning authorities in the River Stour catchment were told that any new developments that included an overnight stay must not increase the level of nutrients and nitrogen in the River Stour as it was having a negative impact on the Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve. This mainly covered the […]
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Future Skills Sussex
The government’s Skills for Jobs white paper set out an ambitious employer-led approach aimed at making further education (FE) provision more responsive to local skills needs and, ultimately, local economic needs. As part of this approach, Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) were introduced as a key part of the government’s vision of an adult skills […]
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The local authority funding crisis is coming to the South East
With news that the largest local authority in Western Europe has declared bankruptcy, many councils in the South East will be nervously looking over their shoulder. It’s no great secret that local authority funding has been cut significantly since 2010, primarily as a result of a 17.5% real-terms cut in central government grants. However, what […]
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Constructing a case for development
As we can see in this edition of South East Business, the construction industry is important to the region’s economy. There are some fantastic companies, but too often before a spade can be put in the ground, there’s the need to navigate the court of public opinion, and that requires good communication from the start. […]
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The Oving Cow Shed opens in West Sussex
Woodhorn Farm, an organic farm in West Sussex, has launched its first milk vending venture – The Oving Cow Shed.
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London Gatwick announces over £93,000 in donations to regional causes
London Gatwick has donated more than £93,000 to deserving causes throughout the Kent, Sussex and Surrey regions through its Foundation Fund.
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Make a difference
Troy and Catherine Barratt, directors of Contracts Engineering and Furnitubes, have a track record of acquiring businesses and taking them to the next level
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Folkestone Harbour’s Folkestone Festive Marketplace returns
Folkestone Harbour is gearing up for the return of the Folkestone Festive Marketplace, promising to be its biggest and most magical year yet, with the addition of a new Harbour Grotto festive experience.
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Kent’s property market recovery reflects changing ways of working and living
The performance of Kent’s property industry reflects the recent changes to how the public lives, works and plays, according to this year’s Kent Property Market Report.
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Further expansion for Kent’s Pennard Vets
Kent-based veterinary group Pennard Vets has started work creating a new state-of-the-art practice in Sevenoaks, which will be one of the largest and most advanced in the South East, as part of a £3.5 million investment programme that will also create new jobs in the town.
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Brachers advises on the sale of Defluo Plumbing and Drainage to Kanalservice Group
Brachers’ Corporate team has advised the shareholders of London-based Defluo Plumbing and Drainage (Defluo) on its successful sale to Kanalservice Holding AG (Kanalservice Group).
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Evelyn Partners expands into Tunbridge Wells with the acquisition of Creaseys
Wealth management and professional services group Evelyn Partners has acquired Creaseys Group Limited, a firm of accountants and tax specialists based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
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Quinn Estates celebrates success at Housebuilder Awards 2023
Kent-based mixed-use developer Quinn Estates was recognised with another industry win at the Housebuilder Awards 2023, which took place on Thursday 2 November.
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Gen Z harder to motivate than previous generations, say employers
New research from business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP shows that many employers are finding it challenging to motivate their Gen Z workforce and are adapting their training methods to better meet the needs of the younger cohort.
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Business confidence slips in the South East
Business confidence in the South East fell three points during October to 30%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
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Tonbridge’s ‘immersive’ landscaping centre nominated for national award
Located on Priory Road in Tonbridge, Kent, Parker Building Supplies’ landscaping centre has been shortlisted for The Builders’ Merchants Awards 2023, which acknowledges the tremendous achievements from across the industry.
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The Experts at MHA talk about the Autumn Statement
Duncan Cochrane Dyet PartnerAuditduncan.cochrane-dyet@mha.co.uk In 2022 China built around 2,500 km of railway of which half were high speed tracks. HS2 was originally 330 miles, now reduced to 175 miles, and has taken 14 years to get to this stage. This is sobering stuff and illustrates the necessity of a long-term consistent strategy that cuts […]
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