In Brief: ‘Small Business Star’ for architects; Pinsent Masons advises DCC; and more

GARNETT Netherwood Architects has been recognised as a ‘Small Business Star’ by Yorkshire Bank.

The Leeds-based business has been in operation for 23 years, employs a team of seven and offers an architectural, master planning and interior design service and has been awarded a star following significant growth.

Yorkshire Bank’s ‘Small Business Stars’ have been presented to small business owners that have reached a milestone, demonstrated business growth or made a difference in the community.

Garnett Netherwood Architects was given the award in the Yorkshire region after being nominated by Yorkshire Bank’s small business banking managers.

Andy Brookes, business development manager at Yorkshire Bank, said: “In spite of the challenging times, there are some small businesses doing some fantastic things and continuing to grow and Garnett Netherwood Architects in Leeds is just one example of this.”  

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A TEAM from Pinsent Masons in Leeds has advised DCC on the conditional acquisition from Rontec Investments of oil distribution assets owned by Total for £59m.
 
DCC will acquire 40 Total depots and the right to supply fuel to 300 retail service stations across the UK.

The Pinsent Masons team advising on the deal was led by corporate partner, Andrew Kerr, assisted by legal directors, Catherine Hemsworth and Ian Mckie.

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LAW firm Dickinson Dees has become one of only 23 law firms in the UK to launch PRIME, a profession-wide body which gives access to quality work experience for young people from less privileged backgrounds.

PRIME is being supported by the law societies of England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland in addition to The Sutton Trust, which improves educational opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

As a member of PRIME, Dickinson Dees, which has an office in York, will provide work experience to give an insight into the range of careers available in the legal profession, both for lawyers and non-lawyers.

Dickinson Dees will provide an agreed number of work experience places and the target for the scheme as a whole is to provide 2,500 places by 2015.

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YORKSHIRE-based consultancy and training provider Strategy to Succeed has secured a contract from the Skills Enhancement Fund to deliver management training to the region’s businesses.

Successful applicants can have their employees’ training costs subsidised by 50% for all training completed by the end of November.

The two to three day workshop programmes, which include strategic skills, people skills, financial skills, sales and design skills, will be delivered by Strategy to Succeed’s team of associate consultants.

Director Colin Bateson said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract and the associated support funding from the Skills Enhancement Fund, and are confident that our training will add real value to all participants’ businesses. Our programmes will empower employees, giving them new business skills that they will be able to apply within their own organisations”.

The training is to be held at venues in Leeds, Sheffield and York.

Contact 0113 887 6111 or email info@traintosucceed.co.uk

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THE Sheffield College is launching an online foundation degree in eBusiness and Management this month.

The course is being delivered by the Online College and teaches the skills required for developing and establishing business in the digital world.

It is aimed at those setting up and working in small and medium enterprises as well as employees in multinational companies.