14 December 2022

Some of the leads included in the UK Activity Report in December 2022.

Opportunities

• Plumbing trade supplier taps into 150,000 sq ft distribution hub in Derbyshire

  Supplier to the plumbing trade, Wolseley UK, has taken a new 152,000 sq ft distribution centre in North Derbyshire.

• Kitwave Group PLC: Acquisition of WestCountry Food Holdings Limited

  Kitwave Group PLC has acquired WestCountry Food Holdings Limited.

• 44,000 sq ft snapped up at Norfolk House

  Regional REIT, the regional office specialist, has completed a new lease of 44,245 sq ft of previously vacant space at Norfolk House.

• Acquisition sees financial planning group take on £2bn worth of assets

  Benchmark Capital, a provider of financial planning solutions and part of the Schroders Group, has agreed to an acquisition taking on £2bn worth of assets.

• £6m secured for Walsall sport and healthcare facilities

  The University of Wolverhampton has secured nearly £6m in funding from the Office for Students (OfS) for sport and healthcare facilities in Walsall.

• Edinburgh biotech start-up gets £2.6m injection to grow team and scale up business

  An Edinburgh-based start-up that develops and produces “high-value” natural products derived from plants has received a £2.6m investment.

• GSK chooses West End for new HQ in a vote of confidence for London

  The pharma giant will open its new headquarters on the corner of New Oxford Street and Earnshaw Street.

• Haulier Fox Group scoops up national plant hirer

  Fox Group has acquired a national plant hire company.

• Healthcare firm strengthens portfolio with third acquisition

  Manchester-based Tristone Healthcare has announced the acquisition of K Bond Healthcare, trading as Next Step Healthcare.

• Toast Ale secures £2m to continue food waste fight in beer category

  Social enterprise brewery Toast Ale has raised more than £2m to grow its business.

• Heligan advises on sale of infrastructure services company to PE-backed Lucion

  Birmingham’s Heligan Corporate Finance has advised on the sale of infrastructure services business Midland Survey (MSL) to private equity-backed Lucion.

• SteriPack acquires Bristol design and product development consultancy

  The Bristol firm's workforce of 85 staff will remain unchanged following the takeover.

• MBO signed off at interior design company

  Specialist commercial interior design business, Ben Johnson Ltd, has completed a management buyout (MBO).

• Hanson UK acquires £220m-turnover Central England recycling company Mick George Group

  Mick George Group has four recycling facilities, eight waste transfer stations, 11 quarries, and 10 ready-mixed concrete plants.

• Investec takes 6,625 sq ft at Belfast Harbour development

  Financial services giant Investec is leasing 6,625 sq ft of a 16-storey building in Belfast Harbour.

• Accountancy firm in double relocation to accommodate growing workforce

  Bolton-based business advisory and accountancy firm Cowgills is opening new offices in both Manchester and Bolton.

• Manufacturer commits £1m into R&D with plans for second premises

  A Coventry manufacturer has committed £1m into research and development and plans to open a second premises.

• Moray distiller looks to double capacity by 2024 with £15m expansion

  Aultmore Distillery in Moray has announced a £15m expansion as it marks 125 years since production first began.

• Fabrics firm relocates to new HQ in £3m investment, with focus on eco values

  Cushion-maker Caldeira has acquired and developed a new headquarters on Knowsley Industrial Park, Merseyside.

• Jobs safeguarded with manufacturer’s MBO

  A manufacturer of forklift truck attachments and skips has secured the future of 15 jobs after completing an MBO.

• Another 15 jobs created at growing law firm

  Leeds-based law firm Clarion is recruiting for another 15 jobs.

• Transport firm could build headquarters near Glasgow with 2000 jobs

  A leading transport company could build their headquarters near Glasgow, creating 2000 jobs.

• Nottinghamshire firm enters administration with nearly 30 jobs lost

  The company has been affected by the Covid pandemic and Ukraine war.

• World-class science centre to create 100 jobs in Longbridge

  A deal has been secured by Waters Corporation to purchase a brand-new facility at Longbridge Business Park, creating 100 jobs.

• Historic Hull firm Fenner Dunlop's Marfleet Lane site to close next year with loss of jobs

  Hull East MP Karl Turner has called on the Prime Minister to support the workers at the site.