A memorial fund in honour of former businessman Andrew Lupton is set to beat its fundraising target of £20,000.
Ripon-based Econ Engineering set up the Just Giving campaign to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation following the death of their sales director in 2022.
Mr Lupton, ran the family business alongside his brother Jonathan and was 56 years old when he died of a heart attack. Founded by their father Bill 55 years ago, Econ is a manufacturer and supplier of winter maintenance vehicles.
Econ’s managing director, Jonathan Lupton said:
“We have been proud to partner with the British Heart Foundation and absolutely delighted that we have been able to support them with our fundraising. This is particularly poignant given the sad death of Andrew and we want to do as much as we can to increase awareness of heart disease and raise vital money for the charity, in his memory.
“We may have reached the £20,000 mark, but we are not finished yet. A team of Econ employees will be tackling the Three Peaks in May and we hope people will continue to support the memory of Andrew by donating to their efforts.”
To support the Econ Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge click here.
Investment management and stockbroking firm win management award

(L-R): Charlotte M, Sharon G, James I, Evelyn J, Richard R, Katie J, James W, Mary C, James S. A and Grace P-B.
Redmayne Bentley received the London Stock Exchange Award for Best Execution-Only Stockbroking at the City of London Wealth Management Awards 2024.
This year’s awards were highly contested. The awards were decided by public vote, with over 50,000 cast, the greatest number of votes the process has ever received.
Lawrence Fisher, head of investment said:
“As we approach our 150-year anniversary, this outcome reinforces the success we’ve enjoyed over many years in our industry, rewarding the personal service the firm provides to clients.
Traditional stockbroking is where Redmayne Bentley first began in 1875. Our services have expanded over time however our values remain at the centre of everything we do. This award reflects the excellence and teamwork delivered by Redmayne Bentley colleagues across the firm every day.”
Knaresborough clinic celebrates 20 year anniversary

Staff at Castle Clinic, left to right: Chris Horsman, Anna Mackay, Hilary Clissitt, Brit Watson, Seb Contreras, Sarah Chisem, Jon Rebanks
Castle Clinic has celebrated its 20th anniversary.
The clinic first opened in April 2004 as the vision of acupuncturist, Janice Miller, to bring together a range of therapists and disciplines all under one roof.
Tony Cowley bought the Knaresborough clinic in 2009 and retired at the end of 2022, selling the clinic to osteopath, Seb Contreras, who has worked at the clinic since July 2004.
Mr Contreras embarked on a clinic wide renovation plan refurbishing and adding to the site. The business now offers more than 1200 appointments every month in acupuncture, audiology, chiropractic, physiotherapy, podiatry and osteopathy.
Harrogate bus company announce charity partnership

Transdev bus company collaborates with Yorkshire Cancer Research
Yorkshire Cancer Research has been named as the charity partner of Transdev bus company.
Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said:
“We’re so grateful to have been chosen by Transdev as their charity partner for the coming year. The partnership kicked off with a visit from a Transdev bus and we’re looking forward to many more opportunities to bring the two organisations together to raise awareness of cancer research in Yorkshire.
Transdev will show support for cancer research with activities including training for employees on the signs of the most common cancers, collections at local bus stations and getting involved in Yorkshire Day celebrations. The company will also be adding the charity’s branding to a new bus to help raise awareness of the charity.
Harrogate company wins Broker of the Year
Synergy Car Leasing was named Broker of the Year award as well as the Best Customer Service Award at the Broker News Awards 2024
Ralph Morton, editor of Broker News said:
“Synergy Car Leasing has absolutely nailed customer service. In their category, they were winners by a significant margin with enough points to ensure they also carried off the Broker of the Year title.
“For a leasing business that has also been awarded a Feefo 10 Years of Excellence Award for 10 successive years of attaining the Trusted Service Award earlier this year, it is fitting that they should be recognised with the Broker of the Year title.”
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Business Breakfast: London firm acquires Harrogate car leasing company
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A London finance firm has completed the acquisition of a Harrogate vehicle leasing provider.
Newable has acquired Synergy Automative Limited, which trades as Synergy Car Leasing.
The company has purchased the outstanding equity in the Harrogate firm after acquiring an initial majority stake in 2020.
Set up in 2006, Synergy Car Leasing, which is based at Hornbeam Park Oval, offers personal and business hire cars.
Phil Reynolds, managing director of Newable Lending, said:
“We are pleased to have completed this acquisition and are now looking forward to the next phase of growth for Synergy Car Leasing, building on an exceptional, customer-first track record built over the past 17 years.”
Inn Collection Group hires new finance officer
The Inn Collection Group, which operates the Harrogate Inn and Knaresborough Inn, has appointed a new chief financial officer.
Joe Bernhoeft has been hired to the position from global fashion brand Barbour.
He will be tasked with overseeing the company through further multi-million pound refurbishments and expansion across the north of England and Wales.
Sean Donkin, group CEO at The Inn Collection Group said:
“We are very excited to welcome Joe as our new CFO in what is a very exciting time for the company.
“He is an incredibly experienced finance professional having worked for some significant blue-chip organisations, including one of the north east’s most recognisable, global brands.”
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