In Brief: Linley & Simpson; Trinity Club Leeds; Bond Dickinson; Sheffield Chamber

YORKSHIRE letting agent Linley & Simpson has marked the end of 2013 with another acquisition.

It has taken over the rental portfolio of two of the three branches run by another independent letting agent, Walter Ingham, in the towns of Ilkley and Skipton.

Inghams will continue to operate as a residential letting agent from the headquarters it will retain in Bingley.

The new portfolios will be merged into its Ilkley branch, creating the platform to extend its market share throughout Yorkshire’s Wharfe Valley.

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A NEW members club for business people will launch next month.

Following the closure of membership-based Leeds Club, former ambassador Keith Madeley sought another location in the centre of Leeds to continue the 164-year tradition of Leeds having a central location for business people to meet.

The answer came with availability of space at the centrally-based Holy Trinity Church on Boar Lane adjacent to the new Trinity Centre.

With support from Land Securities and the Church the Trinity Leeds Club will be launched in February.

The venture already has the support of local restaurants and hotels which will provide discounts to club members. Members will pay a modest monthly subscription to be able to use the facilities of the club and enjoy the discounted hospitality in the area.

Mr Madeley also announced the appointment of the Rector of Leeds, Rev’d Tony Bundock as president and Archdeacon The Very Rev’d Paul Hooper and Gerald Jennings of Land Securities as vice presidents.

Mr Madeley is also looking for founder members who may wish to contribute towards further facilities within the club.

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LAW firm Bond Dickinson, which has an office in Leeds, has been appointed by leading international insurance company AIG to handle its high-volume contract work.

This appointment follows Bond Dickinson’s recent re-appointment to AIG’s legal panel earlier this year.

The firm will update and modernise hundreds of medium risk and high-volume contracts with AIG’s providers.

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SHEFFIELD Chamber of Commerce is continuing to build links with business leaders in Burma to boost international trade with the Far East. 

Last year, the Chamber joined a unique international partnership to provide enterprise support for businesses in Burma, specifically within the garment and textile industry.

Since then officials from the Chamber continue to visit Burma to provide expert assistance, guidance and training to boost business growth in the country.

Richard Wright, executive director at Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, said: “There is a massive business opportunity for businesses in the Sheffield City Region with Burma. We want to establish contacts early and build relationships with the country which will have a long-term positive impact for businesses in our region to build upon. We must be competitive and make sure we are one step ahead of countries like Germany, China and America in building these links to ensure our businesses prosper from the new opportunities available.”

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BUSINESSES in Leeds and Bradford are receiving random site visits from HMRC as part of a trial to explore how it can encourage SMEs to improve their record keeping standards, according to West Yorkshire based chartered accountancy firm Clough & Company.

The scheme is part of a plan by HMRC to expand upon its Business Records Checks (BRCs) programme which usually takes place over the telephone and advises businesses how to improve their record keeping.

Nigel Westman, partner at Clough & Company, said that HMRC has started exploring new ways of using BRCs in a trial in Leeds and Bradford as well as Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stockport. As part of this, a large number of local businesses in each area are being contacted to have their records inspected.

During these checks HMRC says it will evaluate risk processes and ensure any new approaches are cost effective and fit with its wider compliance activity. The organisation will also be working with local tax experts to review its benchmarks surrounding good record keeping.