Professionals: Leeds corporate team advise on acquisition of WB Group; Accountancy firm launches free advice surgeries; and more

A TEAM of lawyers led by Simon Pilling and James Cook from the Leeds office of law firm Bond Dickinson have advised Polyframe Group and its majority investor Cairngorm Capital on Polyframe’s acquisition of The Window Bureau (WB Group).

The off-market transaction was prompted by the retirement of WB Group’s founder and chairman, Kevin Craggs. It is also the first since Cairngorm Capital supported the management led buy-out of Polyframe with Bond Dickinson acting as advisers in July this year.

WB Group aligns with Polyframe’s stated strategic goal to be the market leading trade fabricator of windows and doors.

Simon Pilling, Leeds corporate partner at Bond Dickinson, said: “Cairngorm Capital is a specialist private investment firm providing equity capital and management expertise and we are delighted to advise them and Polyframe on this latest corporate transaction. A large team from across the firm were involved including John Connor who led the banking elements of the transaction as well as members of the tax, commercial, property, employment and IP teams.”

John Naylor-Leyland of Cairngorm Capital said: “The team at Bond Dickinson (led by Simon and James) really understand the way we work and what’s important to us and have once again worked pro-actively and diligently across many practice areas to support both Polyframe and Cairngorm Capital in making this investment happen in a tight timeframe.”

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AN accountancy firm is sharing its financial expertise with other businesses in the region with regular free of charge advice surgeries.

Wintersgill Associates has devised ‘The Secrets of Financial Mastery’ workshops to inspire, offer skill development and provide financial tips to help businesses grow.

The sessions will be run by the firm’s managing director, Paul Wintersgill, every fortnight starting tomorrow.

The workshops will cover the importance of direction for a business, understanding and measuring your company’s results while demonstrating the steps that need to be taken. Attendees will also have chance to discuss issues specific to their industry and their organisation.

Paul Wintersgill said: “These workshops are aimed at anybody who wants their business to grow and they’re open to business owners from all sectors – the principles remain the same. Once you know and understand your business, you can then grow it and maximise its success.

“There’s a tendency among business owners to hand their books over to an accountant and think that is enough. We want to show that once you understand the numbers behind your organisation, you can harness that power and steer it in the direction you want, ultimately growing the business.”

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THE property team at Leeds-based law firm Shulmans has further cemented itself as a leading provider of legal expertise in multi-use development schemes with its latest work on 4Urban’s flagship development in the centre of Harrogate.

The development, which finished its launch schedule this month with the opening of the Everyman cinema, boasts over 90% of space let, with negotiations currently underway for the last two remaining units.

In addition to the five-screen cinema venue with its own food and drinking offering, leisure unit tenants include Ask Italian, Byron, Cau, Cote Brasserie, Veeno and YO! Sushi.  A new opening has also been confirmed as Spruce Moose, a membership-based beauty salon.

The legal work for the £10m scheme has been overseen by commercial property specialist and partner at Shulmans, Dawn Carlisle.

Shulmans was also able to provide the construction consultancy for the build, with Rebecca Dibb and the wider construction team advising on building contracts and professional team appointments. Additional firm specialisms used included the counsel of renowned planning expert Amanda Beresford, and Luke Maidens for telecom matters.

Ms Carlisle said: “This has been a long-term project and one that has been an honour to work on. 4Urban’s team approach has made this an enjoyable development to be involved in and which is a welcome addition to the region.”