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New Chief Executive announced
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce has announced its new Chief Executive.
Corin Crane will join the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber from its sister organisation, the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, which he has led for the past six years.
He joins after it was announced last year that Louise Bennett OBE DL would be stepping down from the role that she has undertaken for almost two decades.
Crane will officially start in July 2022 and Bennett will remain with the Chamber until at least December to support a smooth transition.
Chamber president, Tom Mongan, said the role had received huge interest when it was first revealed that Bennett would be stepping down.
He said: “There were almost 100 expressions of interest in the post, such is the high regard in which this Chamber is held.
“We are delighted that Corin, who has been at the helm of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce over the past six years, will be our new Chief Executive and will take us forward over the coming months and years.
“Louise has done an incredible job over the past 20 years, not only serving the Chamber, but the whole of Coventry and Warwickshire, going beyond the business community the Chamber supports.
Bennett said: “I am looking forward to working with Corin over the next few months to help businesses across our patch not only survive the challenges they have ahead of them but also thrive too.”
us forward over the coming months and years. ❜❜
Paralympic gold medal winning cyclist, Aileen McGlynn OBE, praises Nuneaton based e-mobility brand Eskuta for its new e-bike
Paralympic cyclist Aileen McGlynn OBE is no stranger to getting about on two wheels but has found Eskuta’s latest e-bike the SX-250 series III, which combines the design features of a motorcycle with all the cost saving benefits of an e-bike, to be a great a form of sustainable transport for everyday short journeys.
The innovatively designed SX-250 provides an alternative to the more traditionally styled electric bikes currently on offer in the UK. Enhanced features include, rear view mirrors, indicators, motorcycle grade adjustable suspension, a motorcycle grade braking system, handlebar controls, LED lighting, alarm, immobiliser, keyless-go and alloy wheels with tubeless tyres. Yet with no licence, insurance or tax required to ride one it fills the gap of those wanting a more substantial feeling e-bike for everyday short journeys that is both environmentally friendly, cost effective and thanks to the pedal assist feature requires minimal effort to cycle.
Aileen said, “I love using my Eskuta SX-250 series III. I think it’s great for people like me who can't drive but still want to get around easily and not always have to rely on public transport.
“It enables me to be more independent as I can nip to the shops and get to the gym and training sessions on it. I like how it has mirrors and indicators which I feel are an excellent safety feature and due to its more substantial size I feel like I have a greater presence on the road.”
Managing Director of Eskuta Ian O’Connor said, “We are thrilled to have Paralympic cyclist Aileen McGlynn riding one of our bikes. Our SX-250 appeals to a wide range of individuals, from young people over the age of 14 who are not yet able to drive but want the freedom of an electric bike, to older customers who want an alternative yet comfortable, cost effective and sustainable mode of transport for short distances.
“This popularity is testament to the fact that electric mobility is becoming more and more mainstream, and it is a trend that is only set to grow going forward as we all look to make the switch to electric vehicles and reduce carbon.”
Law firm announces double promotion
Coventry law firm Band Hatton Button has announced the promotion of two of its lawyers to the position of associate.
In recognition of their exceptional talent and hard work, Keri Wood (wills, trusts and probate) and Charlotte Barker-Davies (commercial property) were promoted to their new positions in April.
Keri Wood is a chartered legal executive in the firm’s wills, trusts and probate team, having qualified in 2016. Keri advises individuals on all aspects of lifetime estate planning, including the preparation of wills, inheritance tax and the creation of trusts. She handles Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection matters and the administration of estates and trusts.
Charlotte Barker-Davies is a solicitor in the commercial property team, having qualified at her family’s firm, Richardson and Davies in 2013. The firm joined forces with Band Hatton Button in January 2020. Charlotte acts for a range of clients including healthcare professionals, clubs and leisure facilities and deals with all aspects of commercial property from acquisitions to licences.
Senior Partner Jon Wilby said: “It’s fabulous news for Band Hatton Button that we’re able to celebrate Keri and Charlotte’s promotions to associate. Both are well respected and valued members of their specialist teams and over the time that they’ve been with the firm, they’ve built strong client relationships and shown themselves to be team players.
“They are both excellent lawyers in their chosen fields and it’s clear that they enjoy the work that they do: providing excellent legal services to clients. We’re grateful for their contributions and look forward to sharing their continued success.”
Band Hatton Button provides a complete spectrum of legal services to businesses and private clients, regionally and nationwide. The firm can trace its roots back 125 years and employs more than 70 staff at its state-of-the-art office in Butts Road.
The Leadership Coaches shortlisted for top award
The Leadership Coaches have been shortlisted as a finalist for the Professional Services StartUp award by the StartUp Awards Midlands.
The award, which shines a light on new businesses and start-ups contributing to the professional services industry by offering new and innovative products or services, is unique to the Midlands this year. Speaking on being shortlisted, director of coaching Zoe Lewis said: “I’m thrilled that The Leadership Coaches has been shortlisted. Having worked in leadership and management development for 20 years, I spotted an opportunity to bring together a credible team of c-suite executive coaches and facilitators. I have the highest standards for expertise and credibility, and it’s not easy to get into our team, but that’s because our clients know the quality they receive when working with us. We’ve worked tenaciously to become known in the Midlands, the UK, and now we operate globally.” Launched just over two years ago, The Leadership Coaches has an ever-expanding team of credible leadership coaches and a range of services including but not limited to one-to-one coaching, talent and graduate coaching, team coaching, and mentoring programmes.
Find out more at www.theleadershipcoaches.co.uk
8,100 hectares of forest sold in £113m deal
Twenty-seven forests from across England, Scotland and Wales have been sold by the Foresight Inheritance Tax Fund to Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company Plc (FSFC) as part of an investment fund portfolio disposal worth £113.4 million.
The sale, supported by law firm Shakespeare Martineau's Birmingham office hub, saw FSFC acquire 11 afforestation sites, 15 forestry sites and one site that is both afforestation and forestry, extending across a total 8,117 hectares. The transaction marks a significant milestone for FSFC, following its listing last November.
Peter Mayhew, legal director at Shakespeare Martineau who advised Foresight Inheritance Tax Fund on the deal, said: “We’ve been working with Foresight for more than 20 years, supporting on billions of pounds worth of deals. "This was a relatively complex deal including extensive negotiation and a pre-sale restructuring of the relevant assets presented for sale to FSFC. It’s great to be involved in such an important transaction for Foresight that’s going to directly contribute to the afforestation targets of governments across the UK.”
As well as the production of sustainable home-grown UK timber, acquiring afforestation sites, which drive return through capital appreciation and access to voluntary carbon credits, is a core part of FSFC’s strategy and it continues to actively seek further investment opportunities.
Foresight Inheritance Tax Fund invests in infrastructure businesses and other related trades that offer a combination of stable and predictable cashflows, low correlation to economic, business and market cycles and relatively low default rates.
