Berwins solicitors continues its partnership with Harrogate International Festivals with its title sponsorship of Salon North for another season.

The series of speaker-events will make its return later this month, with the next of this season’s talks being held on Thursday April 11 at The Crown Hotel, Harrogate.

At each Salon three guest speakers explore ideas in art, science and psychology. Previous guests include former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger; classicist and comedian Natalie Haynes, zoologist, and science writer Matthew Cobb.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals which curates and produces the Salon series, said:

“We are thrilled that Berwins Solicitors is continuing its sponsorship of these events and I’ve no doubt the loyal and growing Salon North fan base will be too. Without the backing of Berwins Solicitors we simply wouldn’t be able to stage these wonderfully engaging, enlightening and fun talks, which have been listed in ‘The Top 100 Things to do in the World’ by GQ magazine. We love producing these evenings that help us highlight the cultural prestige of Harrogate. Berwins Salon North has attracted some incredible speakers during its time and we have exciting plans for this year’s programme – watch this space.”

Associate director of Berwins Solicitors, Martin Whincup, said:

“We are delighted to have our name associated with Salon North for another season. Berwins Salon North, which has been a permanent and much-loved fixture on Harrogate’s cultural calendar for many years now, encourages reflection, deep thinking and self-improvement – habits that very much chime with our own – and we are proud to support these truly unique evenings. Each year, the Harrogate International Festivals team conjures up a diverse array of brilliant speakers, and I can’t wait to see who they will be bringing to Harrogate in 2024.”

Entrepreneur expands peer support model for business leaders

Richard Doyle, founded one of the region’s biggest IT businesses Esteem Systems in 1985, growing it to a £30m technology business before selling it in late 2004. He has unveiled plans to expand his latest venture across Yorkshire and the North East.

Having served as a non-executive director on over a dozen boards, Richard developed his own peer advisory board business, Pabasso, which provides support for regional Managing directors and CEOs.

He is now searching for others to help him grow his peer support model and make it accessible across a wider area. Ideally, searching for retired or semi-retired CEOs, managing directors or business coaches who want to run their own peer advisory board on a part-time basis. Those looking for a fuller time commitment have the option of running two boards.

Mr Doyle said:

“I have found it incredibly rewarding working with multiple business leaders helping them on their journey and sharing the expertise and experience of the other board members. By creating a board of business leaders, each with their own diverse businesses and individual challenges, the chair will find themselves at the heart of a dynamic process, facilitating cross-industry collaboration and transformative strategic insights.”

“As the founder of the original Pabasso foundation board, I have been able to use four decades of experience as a CEO and Non-Executive Director to help our members progress. Our mission is to make peer advisory boards one of the key support functions for established business leaders in the UK and I am looking forward to supporting our new chairs/franchisees to develop their own boards and help fuel economic growth in each designated region.”

Each board will operate as a commercial business, supporting up to 12 regional business leaders. Richard has developed the franchise model in collaboration with the Lime Licensing Group. The expansion will create new peer advisory boards including North Yorkshire.

Event management company move to accommodate growth

Impulse Decisions has purchased new offices in Cardale Park in Harrogate as part of significant growth.

Currently based Windsor House its recruitment plans for 2024 mean they will outgrow their current office.

James Marsden, chief executive officer said:

“I am Incredibly proud to have completed on our new Impulse Decisions offices. From humble beginnings in 2010, hiring out a couple of desks in the Additive-X Ltd offices, to the last 10 years in the brilliant Windsor House, to purchasing our very first offices is very special to the team and I.

“Even though we’ve got the keys, the hard work starts here as there is plenty of renovation work to be done until we can fully move in. The new space provides us with the opportunity for growth, allowing us to hit our goals of being best in class for our clients and takes us into the next chapter. Thank you to everyone that worked on getting this deal done at Progeny & the agents at Feather Smailes Scales.”

Libby Addyman, experiences and bookings assistant, said:

“I can’t wait to move to our new office and have a space that truly reflects who we are as a company. The open plan layout will enable us to work more collaboratively whilst offering a range of spaces for focused work, meetings and team building exercises. I’m excited to see what this next chapter brings for Impulse Decisions as we continue to develop and grow as a team!”.

Jack Nelson, designer of the new interior, said:

 “Impulse are a unique company, who very much focus on their staff, who have all had input to the new building. The design will very much reflect impulse as a company and brand promoting communal working and a sense of community, whilst providing spaces for focused work and team building exercises etc. It will also enable Impulse to host more external clients/meetings in house as well as networking events in the future.  It’s a very exciting project, which we are delighted to be part of.”

The new offices are expected to be ready by June.

Charity ball makes over £70,000

A charity Ball put together by local businesswoman Alice Maguire was held on Friday February 9 at Rudding Park Hotel with nearly 170 guests enjoying a LOVE themed evening all in aid of local Children’s Hospice, Martin House. Organisers have since announced that overall the amount raised for Martin House is in excess of £73,000.

This was the second year the Charity Ball put together after the inaugural event last February. Organiser Alice Maguire put the ball on after a close family member lost their son and she wanted to give something back.

Alice Maguire said:

“I cannot thank everyone enough for all the kindness and generosity in supporting our second Love Ball event. My intentions of organising an enjoyable fun evening whilst raising for this incredible Charity, exceeded anything I had imagined with the amount we have raised the first time to then repeat again this year is just mind blowing. I want to thank all my sponsors and for the generous donations we received before the event that included cash and prizes , without whom the night would not be possible and the great success it was. To Simon Cotton who gave his time and services yet again to be our auctioneer for the night , free of charge. To all my guests for coming along and being so supportive and generous on the night, I cannot thank you enough and really express how grateful I am to you all.”

 Regional Fundraiser at Martin House, Rebecca Taylor said:

“The Love Ball was such a delight to be part of. The whole evening was buzzing with so much warmth and excitement. Thank you to all of the guests and businesses involved in ensuring its phenomenal success. The incredible £73,373.35 raised could help to fund a Clinical Nurse Specialist for 18 months, to provide specialist palliative care to children and their families in the place of their choice. Alice is an incredibly valued supporter of Martin House, and we are so grateful for her continued support and commitment to us.”

Plant Nursery collaborates to landscape M8 footbridge

Johnsons Nurseries Ltd, one of the UK’s leading plant nurseries, has completed a project in collaboration with Edinburgh-based P1 Contractors to landscape a new pedestrian and cyclist footbridge across the M8 as part of a £250 million regeneration north of Glasgow.

The £190,000 contract saw Johnsons Nurseries Ltd provide over 30,000 plantsnfor the 58-metre-long footbridge which will form an active travel route between the area of Sighthill and the city centre.

The landscaping work marks the completion of a 30-month build to install the bridge and represents a milestone in the delivery of the £250 million Sighthill Regeneration. It is the biggest project of its kind in the UK outside of London.

Johnsons Nurseries Ltd marketing manager, Eleanor Richardson, said:

“We are known for our expertise in supplying top-grade plants and trees to major construction and landscaping projects, and are proud to be part of this groundbreaking initiative.”

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The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker. You can purchase tickets here.

A Harrogate ice cream business has been named Ice Cream Van 2023 in a prestigious industry awards scheme.

John Taylor of C&M Ices picked up the title at the National Ice Cream Championships gala dinner, put on by trade association the Ice Cream Alliance at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Harrogate.

Mr Taylor said:

“Winning this award is the biggest honour of my life. I am not often lost for words but the moment it was announced I was literally speechless.

“As an ice cream van operator you can’t get a much more prestigious award, and it proves to everyone we put our all into our business.”

C&M Ices was established in 1889 and remains a family business, now in its fourth generation.

Mr Taylor has been working in ice cream vans since he left school and can be found in one of his vans pitched outside the Victoria Shopping Centre in Harrogate most days from April to September, weather permitting, as well as catering for events and weddings.

Berwins promotes family lawyer to associate

Berwin Solicitors has promoted a family lawyer as part of ongoing development at the practice.

The Harrogate-based firm has appointed Emma Lees as an associate following her work in the family law team.

Emma Lees, associate at Berwins Solicitors.

Following the announcement, Ms Lees said:

“I’m thrilled to be continuing to develop my career at Berwins and to be working alongside some truly exceptional family law specialists. 

“The firm is an exciting and rewarding place to work and, with new developments in the pipeline, I’m looking forward to contributing to our ongoing growth and future success.”

Head of family Danielle Day added:

“Emma has made an outstanding start to her legal career, showing not only a deep understanding of the law and a proactive approach to resolving difficulties but also to care.

“Care for our clients sits at the heart of the way Berwins operates and is particularly important when supporting those in the often challenging position of relationship breakdown.”

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Harrogate-based Berwins Solicitors has announced it has renewed its sponsorship of Harrogate International Festivals’ Salon North series.

The series of speaker-events will return in February with six TED-style talks.

Martin Whincup, associate director of Berwins, said:

“We are delighted to be having our name associated with Salon North for another season.

“Each year, the Harrogate International Festivals team has conjured up a wonderful selection of first-class speakers, and I can’t wait to see who they will be bringing to Harrogate in 2023.

“Berwins Salon North, which has been a permanent fixture on Harrogate’s cultural calendar for many years now, promotes reflection and deep thinking, habits we consider vital for self-improvement, and we are proud to play our part in the staging of these events.”

Sharon Canavar, Harrogate Festivals chief executive, said: 

“Thanks to the announcement from Berwins, it is full steam ahead planning this year’s programme of  events, which will be hugely appreciated by the loyal and growing Berwins Salon North fan base.

“Without the financial backing of Berwins Solicitors, we simply wouldn’t be able to stage these wonderfully challenging and fun talks, which have been listed in ‘The Top 100 Things to do in the World’ by GQ magazine.

“Producing these evenings featuring such incredible speakers helps us reinforce the cultural prestige of Harrogate, and without Berwins Salon North the town would be the poorer.”

The three confirmed for the first Berwins Salon North of 2023, taking place on Thursday, February 9 at the Crown Hotel, Harrogate,, are professor of circadian neuroscience Russell Foster, fashion psychology expert Dion Terrelonge, and geneticist and science populariser Adam Rutherford.

For more information on the series, visit the Harrogate International Festivals website.

Harrogate charity appoints experienced CEO as chair

Sir Alan Langlands, new chair of trustees at Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Harrogate’s Yorkshire Cancer Research has appointed an experienced chief executive as its new chair of trustees.

Sir Alan Langlands, whose career in the NHS, universities and health charities spans 50 years, will take up the post.

His career includes significant periods as the chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, chief executive of the NHS in England, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Dundee, and vice-chancellor of the University of Leeds.

Sir Alan, who lives in Harrogate, said: 

“I am looking forward to working with the researchers and clinicians who undertake vital research and provide pioneering services for the people of Yorkshire, and to supporting the tremendous work of Yorkshire Cancer Research’s selfless community of volunteers and donors who make this possible.”

Sir Alan replaces Graham Berville who served as a Trustee for 10 years, chairing the Board over the last five years and playing a central role in developing a new strategy for the charity.

Graham said: 

“I am delighted that Alan is taking over as Chair and I am sure that he will bring new experience, insight and ideas to Yorkshire Cancer Research.

“The charity is in a strong position, and I am confident that people in Yorkshire will continue to see real and meaningful benefits from the work it funds.”

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Harrogate-based Berwins Solicitors has confirmed two new appointments to its senior team.

Natasha Guest and Oliver King have both been promoted to associate director.

The promotions come as the company looks to invest in the development and progression of staff within the firm.

Paul Berwin, managing director of Berwins, said:

“Outstanding people sit at the heart of every successful business and the ability to recognise and reward that excellence is key. 

“These promotions recognise exactly that, and we are thrilled to see these two talented solicitors progress in their careers at Berwins.”

Natasha, who has 15 years experience as a litigation lawyer, said:

“This is an exciting time for the firm, with developments to both grow the business and further improve the way we deliver legal service for clients bearing fruit. 

“I’m thrilled, through promotion to Associate Director, to be playing an active part in that.”

Harrogate company takes on 10-year business park lease

A Harrogate timber firm has taken up a 10-year lease on a local business park.

Ainscough Properties Ltd has announced that PM Dickson Timber will take over unit 8 on Follifoot Ridge Business Park.

The local timber business will relocate to the 10,304 sq ft unit, which was previously occupied by JCT-600 and used for vehicle preparation and storage.

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Harrogate solicitors set to expand with office in York

A Harrogate law firm is set to open a new office in York to meet growing demand from clients in the city.

Berwins plans to expand its regional footprint by opening an office in the newly-developed Guildhall. This will be the firm’s fifth office alongside Harrogate, Leeds, Sheffield and London.

Managing director, Paul Berwin, said:

“York is a natural fit for us. As a firm, we have a long track record of supporting businesses and individuals in the area and expanding our presence there will enable us to better serve their needs.”

“As well as supporting clients, committing to a physical office also enables us to fully play our part as a member of the city’s burgeoning business community. That dedication to caring for both client and community is at the heart of the way Berwins has operated since day one and will remain so as we continue to grow as a business.”

Berwins will support clients with a full range of legal advice from commercial matters to dispute resolution, family law to property.

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Henshaws Beer Festival is back this weekend after a two year absence.

The event, on Saturday and Sunday, is a vital fundraiser for the Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough which works with disabled adults from across the district.

In June 2020 Henshaws announced the centre would be closed for the “foreseeable future” . Almost a year later the charity received a grant from Arts Council England from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, which allowed the centre to reopen.  Henshaws said it needs to raise £200,000 of non-statutory income a year to keep the centre running.

Henshaws said the beer festival will be bigger and better than ever.  Five local breweries have joined forces to present the best of beer, including a specially brewed Henshaws Ale. Wines, gins, cider and low-alcohol beer will also be on offer.

The weekend will also feature sets from a range of local performers and a DJ . There will be a special acoustic stage on the Sunday.

There will be five different types of food and a range of family activities. Daytime family-friendly sessions take place on both days and there is an adults-only evening on the Saturday.

Fundraising development manager Helen Donkin said:

“Ticket sales are going well and we are beginning to get quite excited! The Arts and Crafts Centre offers a unique outdoor setting for the festival, with a large stage area, undercover spaces and outdoor and indoor seating. The event has been incredibly well supported in the past and, given the pressure that all charities are under, we hope for even more visitors this year. During our first event, we welcomed over 750 guests and pulled more than 2,500 pints and this year we want to do even better!

“We are already hugely grateful for the support of our sponsors including our title sponsor, Berwins Solicitors, and from the local breweries taking part, Cold Bath Brewery, Daleside, Harrogate Brewery, Turning Point and Roosters.”

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Martin Whincup, Head of marketing at Berwins, said:

“We’re delighted to be associated with this popular event as it returns from a pandemic enforced absence.

“This festival represents a fantastic opportunity to come together as a community and to raise money for a very important cause – Berwins is proud to support the work of Henshaws in this way.”

Tickets are available at Henshaws Beer Festival 2022 – Henshaws and each adult ticket receives a limited edition souvenir pint glass and two half-pint tokens, while children’s tickets come with a complementary soft drink voucher.