SMEs : Specialist People Services, Beck Hall Hotel, Garth Partnership

MALHAM’S Beck Hall Hotel, is launching a new streamside deli and bistro in May, creating 10 jobs.

The 18-room hotel in the Yorkshire Dales village of Malham, is on a recruitment drive ahead of the launch of a new streamside deli and ‘Bistro by the Beck’, in May.

Owners Louise and Andrew Macbeth took over Beck Hall in July 2014 and embarked on the rebranding and on-going renovation of the property, which dates back to 1705 and currently operates on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

Mrs Macbeth said: “We’ll be offering relaxed lunches and picnics by the stream with a scrumptious selection of farmhouse cheeses, cold cuts, chutneys, salads, home-baked bread and cakes, as well as very special afternoon teas.

“Think candlelit evenings by the babbling beck with a glass of bubbles or a local beer, good food and great value”.

 ***

Driffield-based Garth Partnership, a leading UK pig veterinary practice, has been acquired by the Westpoint Group for an undisclosed sum.

Established in 1951, the Garth Partnership is the largest pig practices in the UK. Westpoint has purchased the business to enhance and complement its range of services across the UK.

Angela McKie, Garth’s managing director, said: “By learning from our new partners and expanding on their already active clinical governance approach to veterinary practice, this business partnership will allow us to develop our position as the UK’s leading provider of veterinary services to the pig industry.

“The access to greater resource and the wide expertise in knowledge and R&D from our veterinary led group will ensure that the UK’s pig keepers be the real winners from this development.”

Matt Dobbs, managing director of Westpoint said: “We will build on the strong reputation of Garth as a leading pig practice in the UK and ensure the partnership leads to new and enhanced services, complementing our current support for the other UK livestock and companion animal sectors”.

Westpoint is backed by private investment firm, August Equity, who have committed further funds for expansion of the group.

August partner David Lonsdale, said: “This merger significantly broadens the technical capability and species scope of the business. We have followed Garth’s progress closely and have been hugely impressed by their high level of knowledge and expertise. The practice is held in the highest regard by its customers and the global animal health industry.”

Andrea Cropley and James Foster led a multi-disciplinary team from Irwin Mitchell which advised the vendors on the deal, with corporate finance advice provided by WGN.

Paul Routledge from DLA Piper advised Westpoint.

***

Specialist People Services (SPS), the Bradford-based recruitment group, has announced the opening of a fourth office by Driver Hire Australia, the specialist transport and logistics recruiter.

The new site, in Sydney, complements Driver Hire Australia’s existing offices in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.

The establishment of a Sydney base comes on the back of strong demand for transport and logistics professionals. Since the first Driver Hire Australia site launched in Perth in 2012, the business has grown significantly. Revenues this year are expected to be more than 50% up on those in 2014.

The Sydney office, which opens at the end of March, will be headed by Jonathan Rose, a recruitment specialist with more than 10 years’ experience in the sector.

Chris Chidley, chief executive of SPS, said: “Australia is an important market for us and the opening of another Driver Hire Australia site, serving Sydney and the surrounding area, is indicative of the appetite in the market for our specialist recruitment services.

“Since we first launched in Australia in 2012, we’ve built a significant business, serving not just the core transport and logistics sectors, but other hard-to-service industries too. As in the UK, customers value reliability and peace of mind in securing high-quality labour.

“This latest opening is a further statement of our intent in the growing Australian market. We continue to plan a presence in other Australian cities, as well as considering acquisitions to consolidate our strong position.”

Earlier this year, SPS, which is backed by private equity investor LDC, announced that it expected total turnover in 2015 to be at least £110m, up from £88m in 2014, boosted by growth across all areas of the group.