In Brief: Private Business Awards; DWF deal; University of Huddersfield; Arc Inspirations
TWO private businesses from Yorkshire have made this year’s shortlist for the third annual Private Business Awards, sponsored by PwC and in association with HSBC Private Bank.
Sheffield Forgemasters and AES Engineering have both been put through to the national awards whittled down from 700 nominations across the UK.
Sheffield Forgemasters is shortlisted for both Employer of the Year as well as Graham Honeyman shortlisted for CEO of the Year. The heavy engineering firm specialises in the production of large bespoke steel castings and forgings.
Rotherham-based AES Engineering has been shortlisted for Private Business of the Year.
It is one of the major specialists in the design and manufacture of mechanical seals and support systems. Its significant growth has enabled the company, part of international firm AES SEAL, to become a major international player in the mechanical seals industry.
The winners will be announced at a dinner to be held at The Guildhall, London on September 11.
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THE Leeds office of law firm DWF has advised Techne Corporation, a US-based manufacturer of haematology controls and biotechnology products, on its agreement to acquire calibration and quality control materials manufacturer, Bionostics Holdings.
The $104M deal saw R&D Systems, a subsidiary of Techne, acquire the entire issued share capital of Bionostics Holdings and its operating subsidiary Bionostics, Inc.
Partner Guy Jackson led the deal assisted by Alex Birch and Hannah Graham in the corporate group, together with a number of specialists from across DWF, including Haydn Rogan on tax and Jayne Firth on pensions.
Guy Jackson, said: “Advising on this deal was especially rewarding as both Bionostics and R&D Systems have many customers in common and yet provide entirely complementary product offerings. This deal will allow the company to capitalise on a number of medical trends and bolster its position in the marketplace.”
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THE Duke of York has agreed to become patron of the University of Huddersfield.
The Duke of York has been a regular visitor to the University and in May he was on campus to officially open its new £12m 3M Buckley Innovation Centre and to bestow the first Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Awards.
He has lent his support to a range of initiatives designed to encourage entrepreneurially-focused education, which is a key specialisation at the University of Huddersfield – the winner of two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise this year.
Vice-chancellor Professor Bob Cryan said: “We share the same ambition to develop, support and encourage creativity and innovation.
“His Royal Highness’s commitment to the agenda of developing an entrepreneurial spirit among young people is widely recognised and admired.
“Now that The Duke of York has become a patron of the University of Huddersfield, this will enable us to develop new joint projects designed to encourage enterprise and economic regeneration.”
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A LEEDS-based business which operates eight bars across Yorkshire is gearing up for the launch of its latest venture following a £1m investment in the transformation of a 161 year old chapel.
Martin Wolstencroft, managing director of Arc Inspirations is preparing for the opening of Banyan York.
The York location is the second Banyan bar serving food in the Arc Inspirations’ portfolio and follows the success of the Banyan Bar & Kitchen in Harrogate.
With an investment of £1m in the construction and refurbishment of the 161 year old chapel on Little Stonegate, Banyan York is set to launch next week.
Plans were given the go ahead by the City of York Council in December and work has been ongoing since then.
Arc Inspirations is currently recruiting for 50 new jobs to fill its staff requirement.
Wolstencroft said: “With some seven million visitors to the city each year, its responsive resident and business community, and existing lively nightlife, we recognised that the city could provide us with a terrific opportunity for one of our Arc Inspirations venues.”
