President & People

Happy New Year!

This time last year I was writing New Year, new start and new president...new me!

I wrote about the vaccine roll out and how it potentially gave us a way out of what seemed a very long dark tunnel.

Well three jabs in and having tested positive for COVID in early October, I am really starting to believe we are on a road to recreating a life as we knew it prepandemic.

While Omicron, the very latest variant, would appear to be ripping through the nation, thankfully early analysis would appear to suggest it is not as severe as what has gone before. So, coupled with the vaccine/booster roll out, I sincerely hope we are approaching the end of all the various rules and restrictions.

Here in the UK, we seem to be more divided than ever, with England having one set of rules and restrictions with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland administering their own set of rules and restrictions. This division is not helping, it just causes widespread confusion and anger and it is totally counterproductive!

I have said previously only time will tell how well governments have handled the situation, however, what cannot be denied is the global impact this pandemic has had on society in general, and, in my opinion, we now have to start living with it, for the sake of everyone, whether they be young or old, fit and healthy or sick and vulnerable.

Those people who need extra care and that have to shield, naturally have to be looked after, but we cannot continue to interrupt the education and mental health of our young whilst also jeopardising the financial stability of our business communities and all the people working therein!

So, bring on 2022, as I know the Chamber team have some absolutely fantastic events planned. I cannot wait to once again get involved in helping the team in promoting, assisting and advising all types of member businesses.

Finally, as President of the Chamber I want to welcome to the board of directors Trish Willetts and Tim Squires, whilst also acknowledging and thanking David Penn and Kathryn Clarke for their invaluable contribution during their time on the board.

So, I’ll finish as I started and wish all Chamber staff and all Chamber members a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Best regards Tom Mongan

Double fellowship award for WCG

Two key figures at a regional college group have been awarded fellowships from the Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE).

Angela Joyce, CEO of WCG, and Peter Manford, chair of the corporation at WCG, were invited to become fellows of CIFE in recognition of the duo’s excellent leadership and governance of the college group, which operates across Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

The CIFE is devoted to developing the potential, reputation and standing of the further education (FE) sector. It brings together exemplary training providers that are committed to developing the skills required in modern Britain and dedicated to sharing that knowledge with fellow training providers to improve best practice.

WCG joined as members of the CIFE in 2018 and to now have two fellows within the chartered institution underlines the college group’s commitment to enhancing and developing FE training provision locally, regionally and nationally.

The college group is a large provider of further and higher education as well as apprenticeships, delivering these across its six colleges. It places a strong focus on meeting individual student and wider industry needs, working with businesses and employers to ensure training is supporting skills needs in the areas it operates in.

Peter Manford said: “To receive a fellowship from the CIFE is a great honour for me personally and recognition of the tremendous work that staff across our college group have been doing to push the boundaries of FE training delivery.

“Since joining the CIFE three years ago it has given us access to a network of like-minded, high-quality colleges and training providers. We have worked in partnership with many members of the CIFE to make a positive impact on the present and future of FE in the UK.”

To find out more, visit www.fecharter.org.uk

Local business owner receives highest honour from Rotary Club

Robert Villette, Managing Director of the FPM Group, has been awarded the Paul Harris Award by the Rotary Club of Coventry in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the community, going above and beyond what would normally be expected as a member of the Rotary Club.

Rotary was started in the US in 1905 from the vision of one man, Paul Harris. A Chicago lawyer who wanted to bring together professionals from a diverse range of backgrounds so, according to the Rotary Club’s website, they could “exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.” The modern-day Rotary takes a more active role in society, with its 35,000+ clubs working together to promote peace, improve global health and hygiene, support education and grow local economies.

The Paul Harris Award is the highest award given out by Rotary and Robert is in good company, sharing his accolade with people such as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin and U.S. astronaut James Lovell.

As a member of Rotary, Robert Villette is part of a global community of 1.2 million members as he explains, “I joined Rotary in 2013 to meet like-minded people and help with community initiatives. I have enjoyed getting involved in local community and international projects over the years and it is worthwhile to feel I have made a difference, even in a small way. Receiving the Paul Harris Award came as a complete shock, and I feel very honoured and privileged to have been recognised in this way.”

Rotary is just one of the volunteer roles undertaken by Robert. Alongside running his successful construction and facilities management business, he is also on the board of the Coventry Heritage Trust, using his property knowledge to provide expert advise on local restoration projects.

Record period of deals for Lodders’ corporate team

The corporate and commercial team at law firm Lodders has completed a record-breaking £50 million total value of deals since August 2021.

Notable deals for the team include the completion of the sale of diaphragm pump business Flotronic Pumps by its owners Whitehouse Industries in August, followed by the sale of furniture and props hire business Granger Hertzog for the sellers to a newco owned by management and the sellers, in September.

In October, Lodders’ team advised LDCbacked Solid Solutions on the acquisition of Desktop Engineering (DTE), with several other high-value completions following in November including the sales of Cotek Papers to German manufacturer Laufenberg, and Avanta UK to the existing management team via a Vendor Initiated Management Buy-out (VIMBO).

Corporate partner Graham Spalding says the “very active period” began in August 2020, with further deal highlights in 2021 when Lodders’ team advised the founders on the sale of Chrysalis Automotive to automotive software business Autofutura, the buyout team on the purchase of Nottingham-based Print Solutions, the sellers on the disposal of agricultural machinery business Murley Agriculture, and LDC-backed Solid Solutions on the purchase of Design Rule.

Graham Spalding said: “It’s been a very busy and rewarding period for the corporate and commercial team, which has sustained this year’s trend of winning high-value, high quality work.

“We have completed a record-breaking number of deals for companies and owner managers in the US, South Africa, London, Leeds, the Cotswolds and across the Midlands, in sectors including automotive, manufacturing, industrial engineering, and film and broadcast.

“2022 is looking to be another very busy year for corporate activity for the team. We’re already instructed on several transactions set for completion early in the new year.”

For more information: www.lodders.co.uk

Coventry law firm Band Hatton Button solicitors is celebrating triple awards success at the 2021 Warwickshire Law Society Legal Awards, picking up the Lawyer of the Year Award, Legal Team of the Year Award and the Young Lawyer Award.

Triple award win for Band Hatton Button

The prestigious Warwickshire Law Society Legal Awards showcases the best and brightest legal talent in the region. The winners were revealed at a blacktie ceremony held at The Manor Hotel, Meriden, hosted by the president of the society, Andrew Nyamayaro.

Dina Parmar, commercial property lawyer and partner, scooped up the prestigious Lawyer of the Year award. When presented with the award, the speaker praised her for her positive cando attitude and for finding solutions to problems rather than obstacles.

The wills, trusts and probate team, led by partner Michelle Gavin, beat off stiff competition to win the much sought-after prize for Legal Team of the Year. Following an outstanding award entry, the Judges felt that the team consistently go ‘above and beyond’ to help provide legal excellence to their clients. The team was also praised for being members of the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends initiative.

Helen Stott, solicitor in the wills, trusts and probate team, won the coveted Young Lawyer of the Year Award and was highlighted for her dedication to her work as well as out of hours activities including acting as Leader with her local Brownie Unit.

Mark Moseley, managing director at Band Hatton Button, said: “I am delighted that Dina, Helen and the wills, trusts and probate team have been recognised for their hard work and dedication, they are all exceptional in their own right.”

COVID community heroes named in Queen’s New Year Honours

Thirty-nine people from across the West Midlands have been named in The Queen’s New Year Honours List and include 2 CBEs, 7 OBEs, 16 MBEs and 14 people who are awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal).

Each year The Queen recognises the extraordinary achievements of people from all walks of life and all ages, within our communities. In addition to these people who really make a difference to the lives of those around them, this year’s list includes special mention of those who have continued to go above and beyond in supporting each other during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s recipients, who have made a significant contribution, made a positive impact and delivered significant outcomes, come from all across the West Midlands including Birmingham (16), Coventry (8), Dudley (2), Solihull (3), Walsall (6) and Wolverhampton (4).

The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree OBE said: “Making up the fabric of the West Midlands are some amazing people who work hard to deliver a better, brighter and kinder place. These people with big hearts are often known within their neighbourhoods but fail to gain the wider credit they deserve particularly during the challenging COVID crisis.

“This year’s recipients showcase a range of outstanding achievements and provide an insight into the region and the people that make it so great. We are all very grateful for what they do each and every day and I am absolutely delighted to see so many gain the recognition they deserve in the New Year Honours.”

The individual honours are announced twice a year to mark The Queen’s official birthday in June and at the end of December – the New Year Honours. Some 1,200 people are recognised in each list.

Details on how to nominate are found on the West Midlands Lieutenancy website at www.wmlieutenancy.org.

Law firm appoints new managing partner

One of the region’s most respected law firms has a new managing partner as it heads into 2022.

Phil Wilding has been named as managing partner of Wright Hassall after Sarah Perry – who has been in the role for the past six years – announced her decision to step down from the firm.

Perry, who has been with Wright Hassall for 32 years and rose from trainee to be one of the first female managing partners of a major law firm, left the firm at the end of the year.

Wildling has been with the firm for ten years as a partner and head of debt collection. For the past two years he has overseen the employment, commercial, litigation, business immigration, private client, debt recovery, matrimonial and corporate teams.

He said: “I would like to put on record Wright Hassall’s gratitude to Sarah for her service over such a long period of time. To have risen from trainee to become managing partner is a huge achievement and testament to her abilities and determination.

“I’m immensely proud to have been asked to take on the role at what is such a crucial time for Wright Hassall. We are celebrating our 175th anniversary, have a hugely talented team and are extremely well placed to grow the business.

“The Wright Hassall team has worked tirelessly through what has been a testing time for all, and I’d like to thank them for their dedication.”

Peter Lowe will become senior partner while Nick Abell will continue in his role as chairman of the firm.

Perry said: “I leave the firm in great shape to take advantage of the many opportunities that lie in front of it and I wish Wright Hassall every success for the future.”

Expert private client partner returns to Shakespeare Martineau

Full service law firm Shakespeare Martineau has welcomed new partner Iwan Williams to its private client team, specialising in tax and succession.

With more than 11 years’ qualified experience, Iwan is returning to the firm from Charles Russell Speechlys after spending more than seven years in the private wealth team acting for high net-worth and ultra-high net-worth clients nationally. Prior to this, he spent four years at Shakespeare Martineau’s Leicester office hub as a solicitor.

Iwan has a deep knowledge of all aspects of estate and succession planning and has particular expertise in advising landed estate owners, high net worth entrepreneurs and business-owning families in relation to a wide range of succession and tax matters.

Iwan, who is a rising star in the private client sector having been named one of eprivateclient's Top 35 Under 35 in 2020, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Shakespeare Martineau. The firm is an exciting place to be – forward thinking, dynamic and entirely geared towards delivering exceptional client service, which is at the heart of everything we do.

“I feel privileged to be joining a fantastic private client team and I am looking forward to helping to strengthen our private client offering as part of the firm’s wider strategy.”

Iwan will primarily be based at the firm’s Stratford-upon-Avon hub but will be working with clients nationally. As part of his role, he will be working alongside Shakespeare Martineau’s agriculture team to provide estate planning advice to a range of landed estates and farming clients, an area of law that he is passionate about.

He said: “A deep understanding of an estate and a family’s overall aims and wishes is absolutely vital to delivering outstanding client service. I look forward to working in tandem with our expert agriculture team to further strengthen our expertise in this area.”