21 minute read
News from the B4 Community
B4 COMMUNITY NEWS
Consultant solicitor, Amanda Stopps joins Boardman Hawkins & Osborne LLP
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Boardman Hawkins & Osborne LLP are pleased to announce the arrival of a new consultant solicitor, Amanda Stopps. She has joined the Abingdon based firm to strengthen its private family law team, and specialises in matrimonial and children matters. Amanda joins the firm from a firm in Banbury. Like the firm’s other lawyers, she is a member of Resolution, and she prides herself on making clients feel at ease, and giving clear advice as well as acting in a constructive, non-inflammatory way.
Amanda’s arrival is well timed. BH&O, having set up just under two years ago, had invested in technology and systems that allow all staff to work remotely, which of course is coming into its own during the current Covid-19 crisis. As a result, the firm is well placed to cope with its current clients, and also new clients, even during these difficult challenging times..
www.bholegal.co.uk
Take a virtual tour of Lady Margaret Hall - Oxford
Lady Margaret Hall was founded in 1878 and was the first college to admit female students to the University of Oxford. The College is located in tranquil North Oxford, a leafy suburb of wide streets and splendid Gothic houses. The University Parks, Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum are all close by.
LMH is available for meetings, conferences, and functions. Our Simpkins Lee theatre can host up to 150 guests with the Monson Room, located next door, providing the perfect space for refreshment breaks and lunch. We can provide dining for up to 250 people in our beautiful wood-panelled dining hall. Outside term time we can host residential conferences for up to 180 guests.
Due to the current situation, we cannot show you around LMH in person.
However, please take a virtual tour of our event spaces.
Please contact us today on conference@lmh.ox.ac.uk to discuss your event requirements..
www.lmh.ox.ac.uk
DB Executive Travel & Wedding Cars is a family business, run by myself, David Barnes, and my daughter Hannah. We provide the highest quality chauffeur service for all journeys, events and occasions. Travel can be a stressful time. That’s why we guarantee reliability and that we drive in a safe, legal way which ensures our clients can be comfortable. Originally, DB Wedding Cars was started in 2016, using our silver Jaguar XFS and light blue Jaguar S Type. As I was working for a global corporate company, this was done in my spare time. Travel was a large part of my work; I had experienced first hand the pain points of business travel. This was why we created DB Executive Travel - to create a positive travel experience out of the negatives I had experienced. In 2017, we launched our luxury chauffeur service.
As my time was taken up travelling with clients, Hannah came onboard in 2018 to take on the running of the wedding side of the business and also a large proportion of the office work. To provide more peace of mind to our clients that we are qualified, I applied for the Guild of Professional Chauffeurs. In October 2019, after extensive testing, I became a member. Having been based in North Wiltshire, we decided to relocate to West Oxfordshire to base ourselves in a more central location whilst still being close enough to our existing clients. In December 2019, we moved to Leafield near Witney.
We are thrilled to be a preferred supplier at many venues and hotels in the area and also to have received 150+ glowing reviews from our clients, many of which are on Google. Providing the highest quality chauffeur service is a passion for us, putting our client’s needs at the heart of our business.
www.dbexecutivetravel.net
Abingdon & Witney College took home the Engineering and Manufacturing Apprenticeship Provider of the now working on a new Local Plan, having missed.
Year awards at the 2020 Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) Apprenticeship Awards back in March.
The AAC Awards recognise outstanding apprenticeship delivery and provision across the sector nationwide, and are run by FE Week and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers.
More than 350 entries were submitted development. This first step invites
by both public and private providers, employers and colleges for the 2020 edition of the AAC Awards, with 44 organisations and individuals making the cut in 22 categories.
Di Batchelor, Principal and CEO at Abingdon & Witney College, said: “I am very proud that the College’s outstanding apprenticeship team has been recognised by such a prestigious award. We look forward to continuing to provide an exceptional apprenticeship provision in all areas. Congratulations to all involved; our apprentices, tutors and team - it’s certainly well deserved’.
www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk
Carter Jonas - Vale of the White Horse District Council ‘Call for Sites’
Steven Sensecall, Partner, Planning & Development, Carter Jonas Oxford said: “Vale of White Horse District Council is launched an initial ‘call for sites’ exercise. However, as many are focusing their efforts elsewhere in this uncertain time, there is concern that some locations with potential for development could be
“The purpose of the ‘call for sites’ process, is to identify potential sites that can be technically assessed for their suitability, availability and achievability for housing and commercial assessors, employers and apprenticeship
landowners, developers and community groups, interested in having land considered for a range of different uses, to submit specific information on their sites for assessment.
“Vale of White Horse District Council is looking for land that meets the following criteria:
Located in the Vale of White Horse District Council’s administrative boundary Able to accommodate five or more dwellings if proposed for residential use
New Team At Marriotts
Long established Oxford commercial property surveyors, Marriotts have a new, if slightly wrinkled, team. Owner Neil Evans, who has practised in Oxford for 32 years, has been joined by commercial agency specialist Bruce Raybould who has 33 years of experience behind him and consultant Mark Baker who has been in the industry for over 50 years. Office Manager Sue Fenn attempts to keep order. Able to accommodate 500sqm or more if proposed for economic development (i.e. commercial) use
“Vale of White Horse District Council adopted its Local Plan 2031 Part 1 in December 2016 and its Local Plan Part 2 in October 2019. Due to the requirement for local planning authorities to review (and if necessary, update) their local plans at least every five-years, Vale of White Horse District Council is now working on a new Local Plan 2041. The information will be used to help planning officers understand which sites across the district may be available for development.
“As it stands, the deadline for submissions is Friday 29 May 2020. However, current disruptions could mean that the process is accidentally overlooked by some. With just over four weeks to go until the deadline closes, those who believe they may have an appropriate site are advised to speak to a relevant expert to discuss site suitability
www.carterjonas.co.uk
and the specific requirements.”
www.marriottsoxford.co.uk
Responsibility and Accountability are a powerful combination
The British Honey Company plc, the producer of premium British Honeyinfused spirits and alcohol sanitiser products, provides the following update on trading for the financial year to date and the Company’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic which has materially impacted the industry as a whole. The Company has adapted quickly to the adverse impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on demand and the distribution channels for the Company’s core infused spirits brands. Whilst there has been a considerable reduction in sales of the Company’s core products over the last six weeks, the Company’s recently introduced “Drip+Drop” alcohol sanitiser product, which was developed in conjunction with Drs George Tranter and Tiancun Xiao, has had a fast and successful start. Launched in the last week of March, sales have considerably exceeded management expectations and generated revenues of more than £500,000, which more than offsets the decline in revenues from the Company’s core product offering. The Company will focus current production capacity on this product line in the short to medium term whilst demand remains extremely high. The Company has obtained BS EN 1500 testing certification for the “Drip+Drop” product range. British Honey also believes it is better placed to cope with the current economic turmoil than the majority of its peers due to the strength of its balance sheet, underpinned by the proceeds from its recent IPO and its capacity to secure supply. BHC has responded to alcohol supply issues faced across the industry, as producers based in continental Europe are retaining capacity for their own national needs, by “ring-fencing” in its Bonded Accountability is the acknowledgment, acceptance and assumption of responsibility for agreed actions, decisions, and implementation, whilst being answerable for the resulting outcomes.
Mike Foster, The Entrepreneurs Mentor, has recently launched his Entrepreneurs Accountability Group to support business owners looking to develop their business.
The group includes accountability, online education and networking plus much more.
Mike said “I know business owners are already prepared to take responsibility for their own actions, but research Warehouse enough alcohol to meet anticipated demand for its alcohol sanitiser and infused spirits products until at least the end of the calendar year (including the Christmas period, the peak period for spirit sales). British Honey also continues to develop its collaborative Agreement with US-based List Distillery LLC, based in Florida for the joint development and distribution of both sanitiser products and existing infused spirits brands, on a reciprocal basis, in the UK and the United States. indicates that you are more likely to achieve your goals and objectives, if you share them and have an accountability appointment with someone to report your progress.
“Not everyone is ready for 1:2:1 or group mentoring, but many know they want something different to progress their business in the next 12 months. From my work with clients, it is proven that being held accountable by a third party greatly increases the motivation to deliver for yourself.”
You can find out more about the Entrepreneurs Accountability Group at
https://entrepreneursmentor.co.uk/ the-entrepreneurs-accountability
Sales of “Drip+Drop” Alcohol Sanitiser exceed all expectations
group/
British Honey CEO, Michael Williams,
commented: “Very early on during the Covid-19 outbreak we identified a clear opportunity for the Company to move into the production of alcohol-based sanitisers, to meet exceptional demand and supply shortages, given the basic ingredient is the same as for our infused spirit brands. I’m delighted to report that sales of these products have been exceptional. BHC obtaining BS EN 1500 certification for “Drip+Drop” products is another milestone in its development.
“Whilst there is no doubt that, across the industry, problems in the alcohol supply chain are starting to emerge, I am pleased to confirm that we as a company have sufficient alcohol for our own spirits business plans through to the end of 2020. List Distillery are also continuing to supply rum and bourbon from their distillery in Florida.
“The health, safety, and welfare of our employees remain our first priority. Our production and support operations are fully committed to meeting our customers’ needs with all staff continuing to work normal hours, albeit with various measures taken to enable required social distancing and adherence to government guidelines.
Furthermore, we continue to support key front-line workers, local care homes and other charitable institutions with complimentary products”.
https://britishhoney.co.uk
B4 COMMUNITY NEWS
Electric vehicle company further expands manufacturing base
Electric van maker Arrival Ltd has taken on another new property at Network @ Link 9 in Bicester as it continues its rapid expansion.
The Oxfordshire and London based company has acquired Unit 6 comprising 30,000 sq ft for their composites production facility on a 10- year lease at £8.25 per sq ft. The deal agreed by VSL & Partners and White Commercial for landlord Barings Real Estate Advisers comes hard on the heels of the letting at Unit 1A Link 9 to Arrival Ltd in February.
Arrival is creating the world’s first Generation 2 electric vehicle, using unique technologies to create affordable, purpose built electric vehicles for commercial customers. It has trialled prototypes with a wide range of companies including Royal Mail, DHL and DPD, as well as BT. Arrival also received an investment and order of 10,000 vehicles from logistics giant UPS.
The company secured an £90m investment from South Korean car firms Hyundai and Kia earlier this year and has achieved “unicorn” status. Arrival occupies offices in London as well as R&D centres in Banbury, the USA, Germany, Russia, Netherlands and Israel. It also plans to build “micro factories” near Los Angeles and New York. VSL director Tom Barton has previously secured manufacturing facilities for Arrival in Banbury, Oxford and Bicester and explains: “We are working closely with Arrival to facilitate their property requirements in Oxfordshire and are delighted to have secured a further manufacturing plant to accommodate their continuing growth.”
“Arrival is bucking the current trend and taking big strides to facilitate their ability to meet demand. Their expansion is truly impressive and a testament to the technology and investment confidence in the business model.” Glenn Saint, Chief of Commercial Vehicles of Arrival says: “Arrival is revolutionising electric vehicles with our Generation 2 solution that means customers can buy a purpose built electric vehicle for the same price or less than a petrol or diesel equivalent. Critical to making this possible is manufacturing in microfactories which can serve the local community and respond rapidly to local demand.”
Network @ Link 9 is a multi unit production and warehouse development which forms part of the 35 acre, 530,000 sq ft Link 9 commercial development in Bicester. Only one of the seven units now remains at Network @ Link 9 - Unit 5 comprising 17,656 sq ft of high specification offices and warehouse space with service yard and car park. VSL and White Commercial are all marketing the remaining unit.
www.vsl.com
Jon Silversides, partner at Carter Jonas’ Oxford office has delivered on his promise to ‘go blond’ in aid of local charity SpecialEffect
As the evidence shows, having recovered sufficiently from his 17 year old son’s haircutting the peroxide has now been applied. Commenting on his new hairstyle, Jon said: “Although I’m slightly worried what some of our more traditional clients will think especially when it starts growing out in a couple of weeks, nevertheless it seemed like an apt time to go ahead. Why apt?
“As we’ve all bemoaned the lack of cappuccinos, haircuts, pubs and social contact during lockdown, most of the children that Special Effect help are in long term lockdown of one version of another, either through illness of disability.
“With one of the charity’s main events, the Twin Town Challenge, postponed until 2021, I’m hoping that we can continue to raise money, even if it involves looking somewhat stupid for a few weeks!”
If anyone wishes to support Special Effect donations can be made via the team’s original fundraising page:
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ carter-jonas1
NX Website Launch
The new NX website launched in May featuring inspirational articles covering a wide range of brilliant individuals and companies, brought to you by NX founder, Ed Rosser.
“NX is an exciting, growing platform for the next generation to gain insight and inspiration for their future careers. So whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, apprentice or young professional, there’s something for everyone. The launch has caught the attention of organisations in the UK and far beyond meaning NX will be featuring many more amazing people in the future.”
If you’d like to find out more about NX, please contact Ed via the website.
www.nxmagazine.com
Two new members to Gardner Leader’s expanding commercial property team
Award winning law firm, Gardner Leader, with branches across the South East, welcomes two new solicitors to its commercial property team. Deirdre Smith and Dominic Dos Remedios have joined the firm, based at its offices in Maidenhead and Newbury, respectively.
Deirdre, a highly qualified and experienced solicitor since 1989, has extensive experience across the entire real estate sector, including developers (residential and commercial), investors, end user and landlord and tenant (she Freeths is delighted to announce the recruitment of two senior private client specialists into its Oxfordshire family wealth practice. The family wealth practice at Freeths is ranked in the Top Tier of private client teams in the UK for its expertise by the UK leading legal directories; Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. The practice provides expert guidance and support to individuals on matters relating to Wills, Trusts, Tax, Probate, Court of Protection, and Family Law. Daniel Boyle joins the firm’s highly regarded family wealth practice as a Director in their trusts, estates and tax team having previously worked at The Burnside Partnership. He has a wealth of experience in advising people in relation to their estate and trust planning, including drafting Wills and assisting with the creation of trusts. Daniel is also able to advise on lasting powers of attorney for individuals and business owners, and the administration of complex, high net worth estates. He has considerable experience of dealing with intestate estates and estates with missing or vulnerable beneficiaries, and is able act as a Deputy for vulnerable clients and frequently acts as a trustee and executor for clients. Daniel qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and is a fully qualified member of STEP, the world’s leading organisation for private wealth professionals. He is also a is able to act for either with ease) in almost all subsectors of the market. , She was a partner at a large City of London law firm known for its real estate. She has also practised for a FTSE100 company as well as for local authorities. She is also a visiting lecturer in Real Estate for the University of Law. Dominic equally brings a wealth of experience with close to 15 years in commercial property. Prior to joining Gardner Leader, he worked for two regional practices, an in-house legal property team managing a large estate in Berkshire and Oxfordshire, and as part of a University in-house legal team.
His experience spans across a range of areas including agricultural property, advising on landlord and tenant matters in commercial and farming sectors, and estate management from acquisitions and disposals, easements and encroachments.
In private practice, Dominic worked member of Solicitors for the Elderly and is a Dementia Friend. Amy Chater joins the family wealth practice as a Managing Associate in their specialist Court of Protection team. Amy joins the firm from Coffin Mew and specialises in drafting court applications such as statutory wills, gift approvals or orders for sale. She will support the team’s professional Deputies by managing their complex and high value Property and Finance Deputyships. As well as overseeing every day financial decisions for clients. Amy will also assist clients who would like to apply to be a lay Deputy for a family member or close friend. She also offers advice and assistance to lay in a highly regarded real estate team advising clients on property transactions from commercial leases, acquisitions and disposals to residential conveyancing and auction sales.
Appointed to support the firm’s expanding commercial property division, both Deirdre’s and Dominic’s experience will further strengthen the credentials of the Gardner Leader team to provide specialist advice to businesses, nationally and globally.
Greg Humphreys, Partner and Head of the Commercial Property team at Gardner Leader said: “We’re delighted to welcome Deirdre and Dominic to our growing team. Their broad experience, excellent skill sets, and high level market knowledge will add yet further expertise to the team, bringing clients peace of mind that help is at hand no matter their commercial property need.”
Freeths solicitors expands its highly regarded family wealth practice with new senior hires
https://www.gardner-leader.co.uk
Deputies and Attorneys acting under Enduring or Lasting Powers of Attorney on their roles or responsibilities or on mental capacity law.
Amy qualified as a solicitor in September 2010 and is a Dementia Friend (an initiative of Alzheimer’s Society) and provides internal and external training to those interested in learning more about living with dementia. Prior to specialising in Court of Protection law, Amy started her working life as a Registered Nurse before moving into the legal profession.
Nigel Roots, joint national head of Freeths’ family wealth practice, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Amy and Daniel to the firm. Our family wealth practice is ranked as a top-tier practice in the UK for providing specialist legal advice to private individuals. Which is why it is important that we have the skill-set and resource to continue to support our clients even on the most complex of legal issues. Recruiting Amy and Daniel will complement our practice’s ability to advise clients on preserving their family
www.freeths.co.uk
wealth for generations to come.”
Jarl Severn, Owen Mumford, Podcast with B4
Owen Mumford Managing Director, Jarl Severn, took time out of his incredibly hectic lockdown schedule to talk to B4’s Richard Rosser about how his team have risen to the challenge of maintaining business as usual AND supporting the fight against COVID-19.
In the first of many B4 Podcasts featuring business leaders, Jarl explains how his team’s adaptability and commitment to the cause have enabled Owen Mumford to thrive during the most challenging of times.
Listen to the Podcast here:
www.b4-business.com/b4-podcasts District Judge
After a rigorous interviewing process that started in March 2019 and involved various screening tests and interviews, Rachael Oakes, Partner and National Joint Head of Freeths’ highly regarded UK Family Wealth Practice has been appointed Deputy District Judge and will sit on the Midland Circuit. Rachael Oakes is no stranger to giving sound judgements and providing clear advice in a legal capacity over the years having qualified as a lawyer in 1996. Today she is ranked by the UK’s leading legal directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, as one of the UK’s top family lawyers for matrimonial law. This appointment is a part-time position enabling Rachel to still manage her national team whilst bringing to the job the experience she will gain sitting as a Deputy District Judge and seeing things from the other side of the fence! Her
Oxford-based Owen Mumford appoints new Director of Research & Development
Owen Mumford, a global industry leader in medical device design and manufacturing based in Oxford, has appointed Professor Andrew Lewis as Research & Development Director as part of its continued investment in innovation.
Andrew is a Chartered Chemist and Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering as well as a Fellow of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences. He is also a Visiting Professor of Biomaterials and Drug Delivery at the University of Brighton and has been recognised by the Pharmaceutical Society with an Excellence and Innovation Award.
Andrew has extensive experience within the technical and scientific field across a number of leading pharmaceutical and medical devices companies. Most recently, he led a global cross-platform team of technical heads as Vice President of R&D with Innovation at Boston Scientific, where he spearheaded multiple scientific collaborations with several highly-respected institutions including Edinburgh University.
Jarl Severn, Managing Director at Owen Mumford, says Andrew’s experience and knowledge will further support the company in ensuring innovation and scientific rigour are central to its R&D duties will include preparing for trial and hearing actions, the handling of applications in the course of proceedings, and determining applications and deciding claims through fact finding and using her twenty plus years’ of experience and expertise as a seasoned lawyer to give reasoned judgements. Rachael Oakes, Partner and National Joint Head of the Family Wealth Department at Freeths, commented, “I’m very much looking forward to bringing the same passion, energy, commitment and enthusiasm to the role of Deputy District Judge as I have done as a family lawyer since qualifying in 1996. The process of being appointed as a Deputy District Judge is a lengthy one but rightly so, as it is a responsibility that requires the right person to have the necessary experience, expertise, empathy and compassion to fulfil their duties. I truly believe that taking on this role which comes with such
strategies:
“Andrew is extremely well-respected in the science and medical community as a regular conference speaker and contributor to scientific publications. He is known for developing R&D strategies and applying the latest management thinking to innovation pipelines focused on drug-device combinations. This innovative thinking will make him an invaluable asset to our company.”
Andrew joins Owen Mumford at an exciting time: “As a UK manufacturer, the company is launching a number of new devices designed to make the lives of health care professionals and patients safer and easier,” he says. “I’m looking forward to supporting and furthering Owen Mumford’s commitment to these critical safety goals.”
One of the UK’s leading family lawyers is appointed a Deputy
www.owenmumford.com
responsibility will help me be a better
www.freeths.co.uk
lawyer in my everyday practice.”
