Professionals: Wilson Field, Lowell Group, Sentio Insight

TURNAROUND and insolvency firm Wilson Field has launched a division in Leeds to capitalise on growth in the city.

The firm launched in Leeds in 2010, and the office now generates £1.2m turnover a year.

A dedicated business division has been launched, Wilson Field Leeds Ltd, to further develop its market research.

Based on Kings Street, the firm’s Leeds office is overseen by Kelly Burton, and corporate associate Richard Froggatt who manages the invoice finance side of the business and asset based lending initiatives.

Ms Burton took over as head of the Leeds office in 2011 and has subsequently taken over 190 appointments.

Kelly Burton, director at Wilson Field Leeds Ltd, said: “The launch of a dedicated Leeds business division for Wilson Field is bucking a trend in West Yorkshire as many of the region’s insolvency practices have actually closed offices and seen redundancies.

“Where we have been able to capitalise, is through a strong portfolio of skills and the backing of a broad team, which has a wealth of commercial and financial experience and a track record in sales and business development.

“The whole Wilson Field group has been very successful despite operating in a shrinking market as the economy recovers. Turnover for the group has continued to increase and Leeds has made a significant contribution to that result.”

Nick Wilson, managing director at Sheffield-headquartered Wilson Field, said: “The launch of our new Leeds division is testament to the hard work of Kelly and her colleagues. It is also indicative of the nature of Wilson Field’s growth plan, which has seen us expand across the UK.”

Wilson Field has driven an aggressive growth plan since its creation in 2001 and helps companies to continue trading when faced with financial difficulty and in cases where the business is unable to continue trading, can act in an administrative capacity.

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CONSUMER debt recovery firm Lowell Group has launched Lowell Solicitors Limited, creating a number of new jobs.
Lowell applied and gained approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority, to operate its own Alternative Business Structure.

Lowell Solicitors will be based in the Group’s headquarters in Leeds and led by James Riley, director of Legal Operations.

Sara de Tute, Lowell’s chief risk officer (CRO) and Legal Counsel commented: “The launch of Lowell Solicitors is a huge step forward for us. It will have the same professional and ethical standards as the rest of the Lowell Group and is committed to ensuring customers are treated fairly and achieving fair outcomes.

“This is yet another milestone within Lowell Group’s remarkable journey of success. As well as the benefits experienced by our customers, Lowell Solicitors will also bring greater operational efficiencies.

“The creation of a law firm within the Group means that issuing legal instructions will be easier and our ability to share more customer insight and data will be strengthened. We will also be able to exert an even higher level of oversight, thereby offering more assurance to our clients and our regulators.”

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LEEDS-BASED corporate finance firm Sentio Insight has provided due diligence to Piper PE in its investment in Forthglade Foods.

Piper has invested £6m in Forthglade, a 40 year-old Devon-based natural pet food firm.

Forthglade has its own manufacturing facility and employs 75 staff with a turnover of more than £11m.

Piper, the leading specialist investor in consumer brands, is investing £6m to support the growth of the business, the sixth investment from its £107m, fifth fund.

Gerard Lovell and Chris Brooking are joint managing directors at Forthglade. Lovell built up and sold Jakemans, a family owned confectioners, while Brooking has held senior roles at Heinz and McVities.

Mr Lovell said: “Although we were approached by other potential investors, from the very first meeting Piper has demonstrated the value it will bring to the table and has already had a significant impact on the business. It was this, combined with the team’s undeniable passion for creating brand legends that set Piper apart from its competitors.”
Financial due diligence was provided by Ian Robinson from Sentio Insight and Russ Cahill from Tax Advisory Partnership. Piper was also advised by law firm Bond Dickinson, while Clarke Willmott acted for Forthglade.

Rory Gibbs, of Piper, said: “We have used Ian Robinson of Sentio Insight on a number of our investments and we value the way that he unravels the business to help us understand its dynamics and commercial drivers. Being truly Partner led, Ian is able to give us real time, proactive and commercial advice.”