NW business briefs: Brown & Co; Built for Athletes; Kyma; AMBS; IQuote; Lancaster University; Leyland Trucks
An independent North West accountancy practice has continued its growth with the acquisition of a firm in Carnforth. Brown & Co, based in Thornton-Cleveleys, has acquired BookSmart Accounting in a six-figure deal that will strengthen its footprint in north Lancashire.
The deal will secure the jobs of BookSmart’s four staff and enable Lydia Read-Potter, who founded the firm in 2019 and who is also a lecturer at Kendal College, to exit the business to focus on her work in education.
It is the fifth acquisition in the past seven years for Brown & Co, which has previously acquired a number of smaller firms including Ingalls of Kendal in 2023. Brown & Co was established in 2012 by Chris Brown who was formerly with ‘big four’ firm KPMG.
Lydia Read-Potter, Managing Director of BookSmart, said: “BookSmart Accounting has grown rapidly but I believe it now needs to be part of a bigger firm that can take it to the next level. Brown & Co were the obvious choice as they share the same ethos, prioritise client experience and are at the cutting edge of technology.”
Chris Brown said: “Lydia has built a modern, tech-savvy accountancy practice with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic team. We are pleased to welcome them on board. We believe that the current market, in which many established accountancy firms are being swallowed up by big consolidators, offers real opportunities for strong independents like Brown & Co, which have the expertise but can also offer a pro-active, personal service.”
Rob Kenmare of Rebbalt Advisory provided corporate finance to Brown & Co while Sharon Graves of Napthens Solicitors provided legal advice.
::
Cheshire-based premium fitness brand, Built for Athletes, has forged a new high level partnership with F1 team, Williams Racing, to provide a limited edition collection as the Official Luggage Supplier to the team, comprising a 35L backpack in the iconic Williams Racing navy and logo patch, a Crossbody bag and 20L Roll Up, and a 60L and 90L suitcase.
This marks Built for Athletes’ latest move in the sport of F1 and aims to build on the success of collaborations with Alfa Romeo and Oracle Red Bull Racing.
Nick Costello, Built for Athletes founder, said: “We are excited to be expanding our partnerships further in the sport of F1 and supporting the Williams Racing team through the relentless schedule of the 2025 race season. The range is perfectly curated to provide premium, yet practical bags and luggage for all nature of trips.”
James Vowles, Team Principal at Williams Racing, said: “We are pleased to welcome Built For Athletes to Williams Racing as our Official Luggage Supplier as we prepare to go racing in 2025.
“With the demands of a 24-race schedule in 21 different countries, high quality luggage is an essential component for Formula 1 teams and Built For Athletes bring proven performance and a commitment to excellence and innovation that matches our own.”
::
Kyma is a new restaurant that has opened in South Road, Waterloo, on the site of The Raven, a former pub, providing Mediterranean-based dishes, as part of a |£1.2m investment.
With space for 60 guests in the main restaurant and bar, adding to Kyma’s offering is a 30-person outdoor terrace that is complete with a full retractable roof and heating.
Owner, Natasha Moran, 35, from Liverpool, has more than 15 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and said she wanted to create something unique in the area, offering something different to both locals and guests from further afield.
Natasha said: “I wanted to create a different offering in the area and bring together what I love about hospitality – great food and drinks, beautiful decor and unmatched ambiance to create what is Kyma, a Mediterranean escape in the heart of Crosby.
“We can’t wait to welcome you all to our new restaurant-bar for an unforgettable experience.”
::
Stuart Wells
Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) is to offer 50% funding towards its Executive Education course fees for local Manchester leaders in celebration of its 60th anniversary in 2025.
As it looks to encourage the next wave of business leaders in Greater Manchester, the school is offering the funding for its short courses taking place this year. These cover a range of areas including strategic productivity, AI and digital transformation, and leadership.
Those eligible for these reduced costs must be employed by an organisation based in Greater Manchester and have relevant experience to ensure they will be able to benefit from their chosen course.
Stuart Wells, Managing Director for Executive Education at Alliance Manchester Business School, said: “As the school celebrates its 60th anniversary, we wanted to take this chance to reflect on how we could give back to this incredible and pioneering city, as well as strengthen our commitment to developing Greater Manchester’s business community.
“With this new funding, we are hoping to encourage more people to develop their understanding of business and organisational transformation, as well as equipping them with the skills they’ll need now and in the future to help both themselves, and the organisations they work for, to thrive.”
::
Craig Cornick
A Manchester legal funder has opened a new office in Dubai to expand its technology division as part of a global growth strategy.
IQuote’s announcement marks a significant step for the firm, which is strengthening its tech capabilities across the region. CEO, Craig Cornick, said: “This is an exciting milestone for IQuote. Dubai is a global innovation hub, and establishing a presence here allows us to tap into a wealth of talent and technological resources.”
“The new hires in Dubai will play a vital role in driving forward our vision of transforming the legal funding landscape through advanced technology.”
While the Dubai office will focus on technology, IQuote is also expanding its operations in Manchester. The company is hiring for a range of roles, including a Head of European Opportunities, Data and Risk Analysts to enhance financial forecasting, and auditors for account management and reporting.
Craig added: “These developments reflect our commitment to staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. By strengthening both our Manchester and Dubai teams, we’re ensuring that we have the resources and expertise needed to meet the increasing demand for our services across Europe and beyond.”
::
Dr Samet Sahin
Dr Samet Sahin, from Lancaster University School of Engineering, has received £406,000 funding to develop a simple tool to allow healthcare professionals to quickly and easily check an individual’s C-peptide levels. This is a measure of how much insulin they are making and releasing.
Dr Sahin is part of an engineering research group at the university applying their knowledge in engineering to tackle this problem in type 1 diabetes (T1D).
In this project, funded by Breakthrough T1D, Dr Sahin’s group will aim to develop an improved tool compared with those currently available. C-peptide is measured using a blood test, which is then sent to a lab for analysis. This time-consuming and expensive process makes it impractical for healthcare professionals and their patients.
Dr Sahin’s group is developing an electrochemical sensor that uses a sophisticated combination of chemistry and electricity to detect C-peptide levels in blood samples. The sensor would enable patients to do a simple finger prick test at their GP or in a diabetes clinic. The sensor would then use this to measure C-peptide in minutes, without requiring lab tests.
Rachel Connor, Director of Research Partnerships at Breakthrough T1D UK, said the new tool would be “transformative” in guiding healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate treatments. Dr Samet Sahin said “I am very happy for this opportunity to work with Breakthrough T1D on this project. This new tool could enhance diabetes management by enabling earlier and more personalised interventions, ultimately improving patient care.”
::
Leyland Trucks Tooling Academy
Lancashire’s Leyland Trucks has opened applications for apprenticeship programme, with 22 roles available across a diverse range of commercial vehicle manufacturing disciplines for 2025.
With degree-level opportunities in Design Engineering, IT Software Engineering, Supply Chain, and Control Systems Engineering, this year marks the company’s most expansive offer.
Apprentices will join the Leyland Trucks team on September 1, 2025, gaining hands-on experience and academic qualifications within a structured framework designed to nurture future talent. The programme provides practical, on-the-job training alongside formal studies, allowing participants to earn a competitive salary while launching their careers at a globally recognised manufacturer.
Maria Rogers, learning & development manager at Leyland Trucks, said: “We’re incredibly proud to launch our 2025 apprenticeship programme, which this year, alongside Level 3 and Level 4 opportunities, has the most extensive degree-level offering yet.”
Applications are open until March 2, 2025. Interviews will commence in April.
