Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

A Knaresborough company has completed the acquisition of a Newcastle-based financial firm.

Prosperis, which is based at St James’ Business Park, has acquired Stephen McDine Limited, which is a financial advice business.

The move comes as the Knaresborough firm completed the acquisition of fellow finance company, RMB Financial Management Ltd, in October 2023.

Niall Gunn, chief executive officer and founder of Prosperis Ltd, said: 

“We are delighted to have been able to acquire such a high-quality business, allowing us to continue to provide clients with an excellent level of service going forward.

“As an independently owned business, this acquisition will greatly benefit all clients. We are on track to add further locations within the Northeast as we continue with our growth plans.”

Council leaders to address Harrogate business event

North Yorkshire Council bosses are set to address business leaders in the Harrogate district a year on from devolution.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the council, and Richard Flinton, chief executive of the authority, will give a presentation at the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting on January 15.

The speeches are expected to cover how devolution has progressed in North Yorkshire since last year.

Held at Rudding Park Hotel and Spa, the event will be open to both chamber members and business owners in the district.

The evening will start at 5.30pm and people can register to attend here.

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The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, 26 October at Banyan in Harrogate between 8 am – 10 am. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Knaresborough company has completed the acquisition of a local financial firm.

Prosperis, which is based at St James’ Business Park, has acquired fellow Knaresborough business RMB Financial Management Ltd.

Niall Gunn, chief executive at Prosperis, said the move will help to benefit its clients.

He said:

“We are delighted to have been able to acquire such a high-quality business and, in doing so, allows us to continue to provide clients an excellent professional level of service for the foreseeable future. 

“As an independently owned business, this acquisition will benefit greatly all clients. We are on track to add further locations within the north-east as we continue with our growth plans.”

Paul Meehan, chairman at Prosperis, added: 

“These are exciting times for the whole Prosperis team and we remain very acquisitive.

“The purchase of the RMB business sets us up nicely as we now move to the next phase of the strategy to buy more firms. We expect to complete on another deal before the end of the year in addition to some additional senior hires.”

Former Harrogate bank building goes on the market

A former bank building in Harrogate has been placed on the market for offers over £1 million.

No7 Cambridge Crescent is a landmark listed building, which covers 6,000 square feet in the town centre.

No7 Cambridge Crescent in Harrogate.

Cambridge Crescent was built in 1867-8 by George Dawson to a design of J H Hirst of Bristol featuring enriched Flemish Renaissance frontage with the former banking premises suitable for retail, office and residential uses.

The property has been stripped out for ease of development with the ground floor former banking hall now open plan and a lower ground floor, previously the secure storage area, has had the safe removed.

Tim Waring, prime property at GSC Grays which is marketing the building, said: 

“This is a unique opportunity to purchase a charming building in a fantastic central location in the famous spa town of Harrogate with potential for various development options.”

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A panel of four leading business people faces a tough task today as judging takes place in the first ever Stray Ferret Business Awards.

More than 100 entries have been submitted across 10 categories, highlighting the strength of the business community in the Harrogate district.

The four judges are Marcus Boardall, CEO of Reed Boardall, Black Sheep Brewery CEO Charlene Lyons, Cloud Nine founder and CEO Martin Rae, and James Farrar, COO of York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (pictured).

They will meet in central Harrogate to spend today going over all the entries, selecting those most deserving of our 10 awards.

From growing businesses to the up-and-coming stars of the future, the categories are designed to allow businesses to showcase their strengths. Each is sponsored by a leading local business, and the headline sponsor for the awards scheme is Prosperis.

The shortlists will be announced this Friday, January 20.

The spectacular awards ceremony takes place on Thursday, March 9 at Pavilions of Harrogate. To book your tickets, click here.

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New appointments boost Harrogate law firm

Managing partner Stephen Hopwood, centre, with, from left, Stuart Farrar, Helen Ramsden, Kate Develly and David Leuchars.

A Harrogate law firm has begun the year with a series of appointments and promotions.

McCormicks Solicitors has added David Leuchars to its corporate and commercial department, assisting its head, James Towler in business law matters.

Stuart Farrar joins the residential conveyancing team, bringing more than 40 years’ experience, while Kate Develly has been offered a training contract in the crime and fraud department.

She joined McCormicks just over a year ago and has recently become accredited to advise clients at the police station. Her former role has been filled by Helen Ramsden, who has been promoted to criminal law executive.

Managing partner Stephen Hopwood said:

“It is always good to welcome new talent to the team and these appointments and promotions will help to bolster some very busy departments.”

The Stray Ferret is delighted to announce that the chief executive of North Yorkshire Council will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural Stray Ferret Business Awards.

Richard Flinton’s speech at the awards in March 2023 will be timely because the new council will come into existence the following month.

Mr Flinton, who is currently chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, is at the forefront of the creation of the new unitary authority so he is well-placed to give our audience an insight into the changes to come.

Since joining North Yorkshire County Council as a trainee trading standards officer 30 years ago, Mr Flinton has held many roles including assistant head of trading standards, lead of the council’s economic development team, assistant chief executive and director of business and environmental services before becoming chief executive.

As chief executive he has covered statutory roles as director of children and young people’s services and director of health and adult services. He now chairs the chief executives group and the local resilience forum.

From April 2023, he will oversee the merging of the existing seven district and borough councils with North Yorkshire County Council to form North Yorkshire Council.

Once complete, he will be responsible for around 10,500 staff and a budget of £1.4 billion.

Many challenges ahead for North Yorkshire Council

There are significant challenges ahead for North Yorkshire Council, with inflation at its highest level for 40 years, a growing elderly population which is already at one-in-four of the county’s population and a recruitment crisis.

With so many changes and challenges for North Yorkshire Council, this is a keynote speaker that can’t be missed.

Get your early access tickets for the Stray Ferret Business Awards now and make sure to enter your business for one or more of our ten award categories by clicking or tapping here.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Digital Innovation Award, which is sponsored by ASE Computers.

This award is designed to highlight those businesses which are leading the way in the digital world.

These businesses have embraced digital and grown the business as a result.

This innovation can come in many forms, including putting your business online, developing an app or using other digital applications like social media.

Companies looking to enter for the Digital Innovation Award need to provide examples of the success your business has had with digital, including any statistical data to support.

Do you know a business that deserves to win the Digital Innovation Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

Over the next few weeks we will reveal what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Rising Star under 30 Award, which is sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants.

This award is designed to highlight some of the young talent from across the Harrogate district.

Those nominated or who enter for the Rising Star under 30 Award are sure to make waves and build a successful career in the years to come.

Entries for this category need to provide details of the person’s background and position they hold in the business. Provide examples of how the entrant’s work ethic has affected the business.

Do you know someone who deserves to win the Rising Star Under 30 Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal

Harrogate-based Moda Living, which develops and operates rental properties in the UK, has taken up 4,000 sq ft at Central House on Harlow Hill.

Leeds property investment and development company CEG has agreed a five-year lease with Moda Living for the workspace.

Dan Brooks, director of Moda Living, said:

“As a fast-growing company, we needed space which provides an inspiring, contemporary environment. Central House provides great facilities and a fantastic productive and healthy environment for the team.”

CEG, which also looks after The Exchange on Harrogate’s Station Parade, has managed a £4m investment into Central House, creating a new reception, common areas, café and courtyard.

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  Succession Wealth in Harrogate is to sponsor the Dynamic Leader category of the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, which are sponsored by Prosperis, will take place at the Pavilions of Harrogate on March 9.

The Dynamic Leader category is one of ten prestigious awards to be won on the night.  It recognises those leaders who make a difference, drive change and take their staff with them.

A spokesperson for Succession Wealth said:

“Succession Wealth are delighted to sponsor the ‘Dynamic Leader’ award.

“Within our teams we see the outstanding impact that an exceptional leader can have on their team, the wider business and ultimately our clients, so it’s a pleasure to be able to recognise such talent from across Harrogate.”

The four person panel of judges comprises some of the most influential business leaders in the Harrogate district.

Entries are open – so now is the time to give your team, business or boss the recognition they deserve.

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

Prosperis, the Knaresborough based financial advisors and employee benefit consultants, are to be the main sponsor of the Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023.

Managing Director of Prosperis, Niall Gunn said:

“We’re delighted to be the main sponsor of the Stray Ferret Business Awards.  As a leading corporate consultancy working across Yorkshire, we know there is so much best practice in the Harrogate district to celebrate and highlight.

“The event promises to be a great occasion – the judging panel is impressive and I’m sure competition for each award will be stiff.”

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 will be held on 9 March 2023.

If your business, team or staff member has an award winning story to tell then now is your time to shine!

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Harrogate law firm McCormicks Solicitors has appointed a new Partner.

David Birks (left) joins as head of the commercial disputes and sports litigation team which offers a wide range of litigation services to both individuals and businesses across the region as well as nationally.

Before becoming a solicitor Mr Birks headed up the North Yorkshire Trading Standards Consumer Advice Team and Special Investigations team, dealing with regulatory matters and specialising in anti-counterfeiting matters.

Senior Partner Peter McCormick OBE said:

“We are delighted to welcome David on board, bringing as he does in-depth expertise in a complex area of law which is a key focus for the practice.”

Mr Birks has experience in sports disputes, including arbitrations, tribunals and FA, Premier League and EFL regulatory matters. His specialisms include insolvency (individual and corporate) and Directors Disqualification Act Proceedings.