North West Business Briefs
The North West deals team of mid-market corporate finance and advisory firm Clearwater International has enabled a major investment deal that will lead to further UK and European expansion for a road markings and highways products group.
Private equity investor THI Investments has taken a stake in Hull-based WJ Group, founded in 1987 by managing director Wayne Johnson. The company has nine UK depots and a fleet of more than 220 specialist vehicles.
Clearwater’s deals team is based in Manchester, and Mr Johnson said: “The Clearwater International team have worked with WJ for a number of years and were able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of our objectives and our markets to find an excellent partner in THI.”
The Clearwater team comprised partner Paul Jones, associate director Zack Goddard, senior associate Andrew Hatch, and executive Courtney Walker. Debt advisory support was provided by managing partner Mark Taylor and director David Grassby.
Paul Jones said: “The need for high quality road markings and associated services is essential for the safety of road users. WJ’s services are a highly cost-effective way of maintaining and dramatically improving the safety of the network.
“As the industry moves towards preparing roads for autonomous vehicles, the need for high quality road markings will become increasingly important. Through its partnership with THI, the group is exceptionally well positioned to deliver further sustainable growth and increase its technical service offering.”
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Stephen Ashworth
Manchester based property and investment company Hurstwood Holdings is offering all of its vacant offices, warehouse and car parks across its 120 sites nationwide for free use by the NHS to aid the roll out of the COVID vaccine.
Stephen Ashworth, chief executive and chairman of Hurstwood Holdings, said: “Whilst 2021 has not started with the positive news that we had all hoped for, this latest lockdown brings hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel now that the vaccine programme has finally started.
“We are keen to do our part to assist with this important step towards a return to normality and, as such, are offering all of our properties with any vacant office suites, warehouse depots and car parks for free use by the NHS and the Army as we all work together to sort out the vaccination roll out issues as quickly as possible.”
He added: “Every week that this lockdown continues, it is costing our economy billions.
“Over the last few years, we have built a portfolio with a wealth of facilities across the country that could be used as pop-up centres and, in my opinion, sites like these should be utilised as a priority. We want to do whatever we can to get over this pandemic.”
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Richard Kenyon
Everton Football Club and Everton in the Community are increasing activity on its ‘Blue Family’ campaign in response to the latest national lockdown.
‘Blue Family’, first launched in March 2020, is a coordinated engagement campaign that maintains contact with fans and participants and provides vital support and assistance to some of the most vulnerable, socially isolated, and at-risk members of the community during the ongoing pandemic.
In the past 10 months the campaign has directly supported more than 27,000 vulnerable and at-risk families, made almost 25,000 check-in and welfare calls, delivered in excess of 14,000 emergency food parcels and provided more than 250,000 meals for school children, participants and local residents – as well as delivering bespoke online content consumed by millions across the world, aimed at keeping people connected.
Following the latest lockdown, the club and its charity are now stepping up the ‘Blue Family’ efforts, including increased outbound calls to fans, additional support to deal with an increase in referrals for people in need of support and assistance and expanded content output to keep communities across Liverpool and beyond connected through programmes such as remote online education, fitness and coaching sessions, tailored mental health support, regular welfare calls and bespoke wrap-around support to the vulnerable, elderly and/or at-risk participants.
Richard Kenyon, Everton’s director of marketing, communications and community and CEO of Everton in the Community, said: “Our club has never lost sight of its place in our community – and of the role Everton can play in bringing people together and providing a light in the darkness of the situation we are all faced with. Everybody has been impacted in some way by the pandemic. With that in mind, the ‘Blue Family’ campaign is incredibly diverse in terms of the support that is being provided. But the one constant in everything we are doing is the key objective of bringing people together – keeping communities connected and ensuring the club continues to do everything possible to help.”
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Babs Murphy
An enhanced new Brexit service has been launched to help hundreds of businesses operating in Lancashire to get Brexit compliant.
Delivered by both the North & Western Lancashire and the East Lancashire Chambers of Commerce, specialists in international trade, and in partnership with Boost, Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, the fully-funded service is designed to offer a comprehensive information and advisory service to businesses involved in importing and exporting.
Babs Murphy, chief executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “With so little time to absorb the fine print produced at the 11th hour, many companies will have seen their preparations hampered by dealing with the immediate threat of the coronavirus pandemic. There are many businesses who don’t know where to turn to for help and are unsure of what exactly they need to do to be Brexit compliant. Some, unfortunately, have underestimated just how much there is still to do to prepare.”
With this new free service, exporters and importers can expect to receive information, advice, workshops, training courses and one-to-one Brexit audits specific to each business.
Businesses interested in receiving this service should, in the first instance, contact Paul Walters, head of international trade, on 01772 653000 or by email at Paulw@lancschamber.co.uk
