Category Archives: Yorkshire

Awards, Business & Property News, Law, Property News, Yorkshire

Yorkshire Law Firm Scoops Duo Of Industry Awards

Yorkshire law firm Ison Harrison has enjoyed major success at the Yorkshire Legal Awards, one of the legal sector’s most prestigious industry events.

The firm was shortlisted for four awards in total, winning in the residential property and personal injury and clinical negligence categories.

The 25th Yorkshire Legal Awards ceremony was held at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

The double award recognition comes hot on the heels of the firm’s most successful year in its history and just two years after it became entirely owned by its employees. Ison Harrison was the UK’s first law firm to become a 100% employee-owned business in 2022 after the three main shareholder directors agreed to sell the business to an Employee Ownership Trust.

With a regional team headcount of over 300, Ison Harrison has solidified its position as a regional legal powerhouse with 20 offices across Yorkshire.

Ison Harrison’s transition to become a 100% employee-owned business, was a pioneering move that underscored the firm’s progressive values and commitment to its employees. The employee-owned structure has fuelled further dynamic growth, with substantial client expansion and the opening of four new offices since becoming fully employee-owned, including two in the first half of this year alone.

In the past five years, the firm has doubled its turnover to £24 million, and this is expected to grow again in 2024, following the recent acquisition of Cohen Cramer Solicitors.

Ison Harrison opened its newest office in Selby in July. Selby is the fourth new office the firm has opened since becoming entirely employee-owned, after Wakefield in 2022, Doncaster in 2023, and Queensbury earlier this year.

Jonathan Wearing, managing director at Ison Harrison, commented: “After our most successful year ever last year, we are on course to surpass those results for 2024. To receive recognition in the Yorkshire Legal Awards by winning two awards is a tremendous achievement and representative of the outstanding collective effort and focus of our talented, growing team.”

Commenting on the residential property award win, Jenny Bland, director and head of property teams, said: “This accolade reflects our outstanding achievements in the property sector.  It’s a great achievement for the team to be recognised for its consistently first-class work.   We are very fortunate to have a very experienced team, who take great care of their clients, and each other.  Conveyancing is a tough industry, and takes a great deal of hard work to be successful.  This award is a fantastic acknowledgement of the hard work of the Property teams and reflects the enviable reputation that they have built.  We are proud to be one of the top 20 firms in the country for the number of property transactions registered with the Land Registry, whilst still maintaining our strong high street presence and personal service.”

Commenting on winning the personal injury & clinical negligence award, Gareth Naylor, director and head of personal injury and inquests, said: “Our unique team of specialists represent bereaved families at inquests with tenacity and compassion in what can be a very emotional and frustrating process. In recent years we have dealt with numerous high-profile and complex inquests and assisted families to affect change and to try and prevent future deaths. Our work doesn’t stop there, we then assist the bereaved family to litigate against those responsible again in the complex arena of the Human Rights Act.  We also represent individuals injured in accidents to secure not only the compensation they deserve, but any rehabilitation they require to help get their life back on track.

“Winning this award is a major achievement and deserved recognition for the hard work and dedication put in by our team.”

 

Added James Thompson, director & head of clinical negligence: “I’m extremely proud of the whole clinical negligence department and the sterling results they deliver for clients time and time again. They are truly exceptional, and I count myself lucky to be part of such a wonderful team. Our specialist clinical negligence solicitors ensure clients are always at the centre of everything we do. It is a privilege to guide and represent them.”

Ison Harrison currently hold 13 Law Society accreditations including Conveyancing Quality, Clinical Negligence, Children Law, Family Law, Immigration & Asylum, and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal.

 

Further information about Ison Harrison is available at https://www.isonharrison.co.uk

—

Image caption: Ison Harrison team members celebrate the double award win

Creative & Marketing, Leeds, News, North of England, PR and SEO, Yorkshire

Is York Becoming the Marketing Hub of Yorkshire?

Demand for SEO agencies in York up 100% since last year, with searches for Leeds agencies on the decline

Demand for SEO agencies in York up 100% since last year, with searches for Leeds agencies on the decline

York is emerging as a prime location for marketing agencies in Yorkshire, as revealed by research from Nomada Digital, a York SEO agency. The analysis of Google search data and Companies House records shows a significant increase in demand for local marketing services throughout the region. Yorkshire as a whole has seen notable growth, with an 88% increase in searches for “SEO agency” and a 100% rise in “Marketing agency” queries when comparing August 2023 to August 2024. During this period, York has stood out, recording the highest growth among its Yorkshire counterparts.

York Leads the pack as SEO and marketing demand surges

Yorkshire Destination

Search “SEO agency [Destination]” % difference Aug 23 v Aug 24

Search “Marketing agency [Destination]” % difference Aug 23 v Aug 24

Yorkshire

 +88%

+100%

York

 +100%

+27%

Hull

 +100%

0%

Harrogate

 +67%

+29%

Leeds

+51%

-19%

Sheffield

+24%

+50%

Wakefield

0%

-80%

Bradford

-44%

+67%

Doncaster

-50%

-43%

 

Searches for “SEO agency York” have doubled, soaring by 100% over the past year, rising from 70 searches in August 2023 to 140 searches in August 2024. Similarly, searches for “Marketing agency York” have climbed by 27% over the same period, highlighting a growing local appetite for digital marketing services. This surge positions York ahead of other key cities such as Sheffield, which saw only a 24% increase in SEO agency searches, and Hull, where marketing agency searches remained flat at 0% growth.

York’s booming marketing sector sets the pace for Yorkshire

York’s strong online presence is matched by substantial business growth. According to Companies House data, York has recorded the highest year-on-year growth rate for newly registered “active” advertising agencies in Yorkshire since 2021. The city saw an impressive 229% increase in new “active” agency registrations from 2022 to 2023, far outpacing other cities like Leeds (124%) and Sheffield (175%) during the same period.

So far in 2024, York has registered 20 new active advertising agencies, with a projected total of 27 by the end of the year—a 16% increase compared to 2023. By contrast, Leeds, traditionally seen as the region’s marketing powerhouse, is forecasted to experience a 4% decline in new active agency registrations this year, signaling a potential shift in Yorkshire’s marketing landscape.

York poised to become a marketing hub amid regional challenges

Despite the positive growth trends, Yorkshire’s marketing scene has not been without its setbacks. Since 2021, a total of 375 advertising agencies have either dissolved, closed, or gone into administration across the region. This includes significant numbers in major cities like Leeds (108) and Sheffield (97), indicating the challenges that agencies face amidst economic uncertainty.

“A strong local marketing sector is crucial for supporting Yorkshire’s broader business community,” said Danny Sullivan, Founder of Nomada Digital. “York’s growth as a marketing hub means more opportunities for businesses across the region to access top-tier marketing services, which in turn helps them grow and thrive. However, the high number of agency closures highlights the volatility in this sector and the need for careful economic planning.”

Budget concerns loom for Yorkshire agencies

With the upcoming budget causing concern for businesses, local marketing agencies are calling on policymakers to consider the role they play in supporting the broader business ecosystem. A favourable budget could ensure that York’s marketing sector, along with those in other Yorkshire cities, continues to grow and provides the support needed for local enterprises.

“York has the potential to become a real centre of marketing excellence, but it needs the right support to reach its full potential,” Sullivan added. “We hope the upcoming budget will help stabilise and support the sector, allowing agencies across the region to continue delivering value to Yorkshire businesses.”

As York continues to rise in prominence within the Yorkshire marketing landscape, it’s clear that the city is positioning itself as a key player in the region’s business community. With continued investment and support, York could well establish itself as the marketing hub of Yorkshire, offering a vibrant alternative to the traditionally dominant Leeds market.

 

About the research:

  • Field dates: 
    • Google search data: 3rd October 2024.
    • Companies House data: 2nd & 3rd October 2024.
  • For full research results: Click here

About Nomada Digital

Nomada Digital is a results-driven digital marketing agency based in York, specialising in SEO, PPC, and CRO for tech and SaaS brands. With a focus on delivering measurable growth through tailored strategies, Nomada’s hands-on approach ensures clients see improved search visibility, traffic, and most importantly lead generation. Their transparent, data-driven methods prioritise efficiency and clear reporting, helping businesses scale without the typical agency overhead.

Nomada Digital is committed to fostering long-term success by providing impactful, high-quality marketing services designed to meet each client’s unique goals.

Law, News, North of England, Yorkshire

Law firm opens new office in Selby increasing regional network presence to 20

A leading Yorkshire law firm has opened its newest regional office in Selby, taking its total network of offices to 20.

Ison Harrison’s new office on Brook Street will be managed by Daniel Kenworthy, who is assistant head of residential conveyancing for the firm and also manages the firm’s successful Pontefract office. Daniel joined Ison Harrison in April 2019 and specialises in residential conveyancing.

The team at Selby also comprises Lucy Hough, associate and wills and probate solicitor, Emma Clowes, family solicitor, and Gemma Atkinson, conveyancing legal executive.

 

Lucy has worked in wills and probate for eight years and qualified as a solicitor in October 2020. She joined Ison Harrison in July 2021 and was promoted to associate solicitor in 2023.

 

Emma Clowes works in the firm’s successful family law division and has four years’ experience in the field. She joined Ison Harrison after qualifying in September 2023.

 

Gemma Atkinson is due to qualify as a chartered legal executive later this year after completing a six year apprenticeship. Gemma has worked in the legal sector for 10 years and as a Selby resident has extensive insight of the local property market. Gemma joined Ison Harrison’s conveyancing division in April this year.

 

Ison Harrison became a 100% employee-owned business in January 2022. Since becoming owned by its employees, the firm has experienced significant growth in the number of clients that it acts for, with this 20th office launch reaffirming its expansive presence in the region.

Selby is the fourth new office the firm has opened since becoming entirely employee-owned, after Wakefield in 2022, Doncaster in 2023, and Queensbury earlier this year.

Ison Harrison’s new Selby office is offering a comprehensive suite of legal services for both business and private clients, ranging from new build and conveyancing to family law and wills and probate matters, as well as being able to draw on the wider expertise in the firm for commercial clients.

 

Selby branch manager, Daniel Kenworthy, commented: “We’ve assembled a talented team at Selby and we’re all looking forward to establishing a strong presence in the area. This new office launch is the next step in Ison Harrison’s continued expansion, enabling us to build solid connections in the local community, to provide a comprehensive legal service and repeat the success we’ve achieved across the entire Yorkshire region.”

 

Ison Harrison managing partner, Jonathan Wearing, said: “This is our 20th office and our fourth since becoming employee-owned in just over two years. We’re delighted to have opened two new offices in the first half of this year and completed the recent acquisition of established Leeds firm, Cohen Cramer.

“This latest office sees us further strengthening our reputation in Yorkshire, providing an even wider range of legal expertise through our expanding network of offices. One of the driving factors at the firm is that clients can easily access high-quality, local legal advice thanks to our visibility and prominence across the region’s high streets. We’re looking forward to seizing the opportunity to further establish the Ison Harrison name in a new and exciting location.”

 

Ison Harrison employs more than 300 staff across Yorkshire, offering the broadest range of legal services in the region.

The firm has over 10 Law Society accreditations including Lexcel, Clinical Negligence, Family Law, Immigration & Asylum, Conveyancing Quality and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal.

 

Further information about Ison Harrison is available at https://www.isonharrison.co.uk

 

Acquisitions & Partnerships, Law, News, Yorkshire

Ison Harrison Expands with Strategic Acquisition of Cohen Cramer Solicitors

Ison Harrison, one of Yorkshire’s most prominent law firms, has acquired Cohen Cramer Solicitors, a distinguished firm in Leeds with a national clientele. This strategic move underscores Ison Harrison’s commitment to growth, excellence, and its unique value of being an employee-owned business.

 

Cohen Cramer has a rich history, with roots dating back to 1980 when Howard Cohen & Co was established. In 2009, the business merged with Cramer Richards, forming Cohen Cramer. Since then, it has built a reputation for specialising in personal injury, regulatory and criminal law, as well as animal related cases, family law, dispute resolution and legal costs.

With a dedicated team of four directors and 27 employees, the firm achieved an impressive turnover exceeding £3 million last year.

This acquisition significantly enhances Ison Harrison’s footprint in the region, bringing the total number of staff to over 300 and solidifying its position as a regional powerhouse with 20 offices across Yorkshire.

 

Jonathan Wearing, Managing Director of Ison Harrison, said: “This acquisition is a testament to our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional and accessible legal services across Yorkshire. By linking up with Cohen Cramer’s specialist lawyers, we are not only expanding our team but also enhancing our ability to serve our clients with a broader and more robust range of legal services.

“Cohen Cramer’s strengths in regulatory and criminal law perfectly complement our existing capabilities, and their focus on military and animal-related injury claims will significantly enhance our personal injury practice.  We are stronger and more versatile than ever before.”

 

In 2022, Ison Harrison transitioned to become a 100% employee-owned business, a pioneering move that underscored the firm’s progressive values and commitment to its employees. The new structure has fuelled further dynamic growth, with substantial client expansion and the opening of four new offices since becoming employee-owned.

 

“Our employee-owned model is a key driver of our success,” added Wearing. “It ensures that every member of our team is invested in the firm’s success, fostering a culture of commitment and excellence that directly benefits our clients.”

 

Emma Mason, Managing Director of Cohen Cramer, shared her excitement about the merger: “Joining forces with Ison Harrison is an incredible opportunity for us. The firm’s strong reputation and extensive regional presence will enhance our ability to deliver outstanding service to our clients. We are proud to become part of an innovative, employee-owned firm that shares our passion for client-centred legal practice. We are a great fit.”

 

With the integration of Cohen Cramer, Ison Harrison now boasts a team of 300 employees across Yorkshire, providing the widest array of legal services in the region.

The firm has over 11 Law Society accreditations including Lexcel, Clinical Negligence, Family Law, Children Law, Immigration & Asylum, Conveyancing Quality and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal.

 

For more information about Ison Harrison, visit https://www.isonharrison.co.uk.

 

—

Pictured (From left to right): Mike Massen, David Hall, Emma Mason, Jonathan Wearing, John Goodwin and Richard Coulthard.

Appointments, Law, News, Yorkshire

Law Firm’s Booming Litigation Division Registers Further Success

A Yorkshire law firm’s litigation division is on course for a record year following significant revenue growth, increasing client numbers and the appointment of a new Head of Department.

The litigation division of Leeds headquartered law firm Ison Harrison’s turnover for the year to date is currently over 67% higher than it was 12 months ago with the client count increasing by over 40%.

After joining the firm in August 2023 as a partner, commercial litigation specialist Lindsay Dixon has been appointed as the new Head of Department and has spearheaded the impressive growth in the team, which continues to go from strength to strength.

The litigation team sits alongside the firm’s property, company and commercial and employment teams in the corporate and commercial division, which have all grown exponentially over the past 12 months, making it the firm’s second largest collective team.

Last year the firm experienced a 32% growth in revenue from commercial services as for the same period in 2022, recording its most profitable year to date. Transaction values have also increased across the division.

In 2022, Ison Harrison switched to become a 100% employee-owned business after the three shareholder directors agreed to sell the business to an Employee Ownership Trust. The firm is one of only a handful of law firms in the UK to become exclusively employee-owned.

Over the past two years, the firm has experienced significant client growth, opening its 19th regional office in Queensbury earlier this year, after taking on over 20,000 new clients during 2023.

Richard Coulthard, Director and Head of Corporate, said: “Our commercial litigation department has extensive experience in representing different types of business clients in various disputes. We have developed close relationships with many commercial clients over the years, and always view ourselves as a trusted partner. The team provides advice tailored to each client in relation to the issue they face, providing pre-emptive guidance to address any potential issues that may arise in the future. We are focused on helping clients to future-proof their business operations.

“Our approach, based on fostering strong relationships, has helped us to continue to grow our commercial offering, strengthening our position as leaders in legal professional advisory work to the SME market. The success and growth we have experienced to date is the driving force behind the further development of this important area of the business.”

Ison Harrison was founded in 1978. With an annual turnover of over £22 million, the firm has become a well-known regional practice offering the broadest range of legal services to thousands of people and businesses.

Ison Harrison currently holds 13 Law Society accreditations including Conveyancing Quality, Clinical Negligence, Children Law, Family Law, Immigration & Asylum, and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal.

For more information, visit www.isonharrison.co.uk

Leisure, Manufacturing, News, Yorkshire

Advanced manufacturing firm set for record growth

An advanced manufacturing firm that supports the leisure industry with ride-on electric vehicles is set for record growth after a strong start to the year.

Aqualand Industries has seen orders leap 50% to 122 vehicles in the first quarter of 2024. It puts the firm on track to hit a turnover of £1m this year, and it plans to expand its team with six new engineers over the coming months.

The company recently announced the launch of a national servicing offering to help leisure destinations maintain their vehicles through the busy summer period.

Commenting on the growth, Carl Byford, general manager of Aqualand Industries, said: “We have continued to diversify our offer to support our customers in the UK and overseas. With an expanded range and a new sales team in Scandinavia, we are ideally positioned for growth and pleased to partner with some of the biggest names in the holiday park sector.

“Leisure destination operators are looking for environmentally friendly ways to enhance the visitor experience, and our electric trucks and pedal carts are proving popular thanks to the low level of investment and time required to launch them at theme parks, zoos and holiday parks across Europe.”

Aqualand Industries partners with leisure destinations to help them drive additional revenue. The company offers leasing, full purchase or a mixture of both to provide operators with the flexibility they need to introduce the range of products.

The Holmfirth-based company designs and manufactures the six-wheeled Crazi-bugz, Adventure-Trukz and the newly launched all-family activity, the Adventurer. The Company has grown a loyal customer base across Europe for its eco-friendly products.

Yorkshire

Law Firm Opens 19th Regional Office

A leading Yorkshire law firm has opened its first regional office in Bradford, taking its total network of offices to 19.

Based in Queensbury, Ison Harrison’s new office, on Brighouse Road, will be managed by Susan Ram, a solicitor, specialising in residential conveyancing, who completed her training contract with the firm and has recently re-joined in January to manage the Queensbury branch. 

Susan has over 20 years of conveyancing experience and specialises in residential sales and purchases with comprehensive experience of transfer of equity deals, re-mortgages and declarations of trust.

The team at Queensbury also includes: Sarah Laughey, director and head of the firm’s family law division; Sarah Zahid, a wills and probate solicitor; Louise Shuttleworth, licensed conveyancer, and Zoe Wogan, a conveyancing assistant.

Sarah’s family law experience is diverse, offering the full range of family legal services, from divorce and separation to related financial remedies, children and domestic abuse. After joining the firm in 2017, she was appointed as a partner in 2019 and a director in 2022, when the business became the first law firm in the region to transition to full employee ownership. 

Ison Harrison became a 100% employee-owned business in January 2022. Since becoming owned by its employees, the firm has experienced significant growth in the number of clients that it acts for, with this latest office launch further cementing its significant presence in the region. 

Queensbury is the third new office the firm has opened since becoming entirely employee-owned, after Doncaster last year and Wakefield in 2022.

Ison Harrison Queensbury office is offering a comprehensive suite of legal services for both business and private clients, ranging from new build and conveyancing to family law and wills and probate matters, as well as being able to draw on the wider expertise in the firm for commercial clients. 

Queensbury’s new manager, Susan Ram, commented: “The whole team is looking forward to building a presence across Bradford and beyond. Opening our new office is the next phase of Ison Harrison’s ongoing success and it also enables us to connect with the local community, create relationships and provide full legal support, mirroring what we’ve achieved across the region. As part of our local relationship-building activity, we are offering our first 100 customers a £20 voucher that they can spend at selected local businesses.”

Ison Harrison managing partner Jonathan Wearing, said: “Opening our 19th office in the region is very exciting and gets the year off to the best possible start. It’s also our first office in Bradford so we’re very much looking forward to growing our presence here. 

“This latest office sees us further strengthening our growing stature in Yorkshire. It continues our growth strategy, allowing us to offer an even broader range of legal expertise through our expanding network of offices. It remains vitally important to us that clients can easily access high-quality, local legal advice by approaching a large and established modern law firm thanks to our prominent high street presence. We’re looking forward to grasping the opportunity to firmly establish the Ison Harrison name in Bradford.”

Ison Harrison employs more than 270 staff across Yorkshire, offering the broadest range of legal services in the region. 

The firm has over 10 Law Society accreditations including Lexcel, Clinical Negligence, Family Law, Immigration & Asylum, Conveyancing Quality and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal. 

Employee Engagement, Law, News, Yorkshire

Leading Law Firm Marks Second Anniversary Of Employee Ownership With Increased Annual Profit Distribution Payment To Staff

One of Yorkshire’s leading law firms has marked the second anniversary of becoming employee-owned by awarding all qualifying 270 team members a £4,000 profit distribution.

The firm also posted its most successful trading period ever for October last year, making 2023 its most successful and profitable year in its 46-year history.

Ison Harrison became one of the first regional law firms to become a 100% employee-owned business in January 2022 after the three main shareholder directors agreed to sell the business to an Employee Ownership Trust.

The firm, which employs more than 250 staff across the region, posted a record turnover of over £22 million last year, up 16% from £19 million in 2022, as well as achieving numerous other business milestones. The firm’s commercial division’s turnover increased from £1.35m to £2.7m, the legal aid team secured the prestigious Legal Aid CAPA contract helping double department turnover to more than £2.5m for the year, and the property division saw turnover increase to over £6m despite the volatile housing market.

The firm experienced a healthy level of growth in the number of new clients that it acted for with over 20,000 new clients instructing the firm throughout 2023. The firm has also once again achieved Lexcel accreditation, the approved legal industry quality mark for client care, compliance and practice management.

2023 saw the opening of the firm’s 18th office, in Doncaster, the firm’s second in South Yorkshire, with plans for further expansion across the region in the first quarter of 2024.  The firm’s 19th office, located in Queensbury, Bradford is due to open to the public in February.

As a result of the firm’s strong financial performance, individual profit distributions approved by Ison Harrison’s Board of Trustees saw all eligible employees receive a tax-free distribution of £4,000 each, an increase of £400 on the £3,600 payment last January.

Managing director Jonathan Wearing, commented: “2023 was our second year operating as an employee-owned business and what a year we’ve had in terms of achievements and overall performance. Distributing an increased bonus to our employees beyond year one’s payment reflects the drive and dedication shown by everyone throughout the year and is a true demonstration of the motivation that employee ownership can bring. Everyone contributed to delivering a record year for the firm last year which has put us in a great position to ensure that the coming year will be equally, if not more, successful and eventful.

“The move to employee ownership has been hugely positive for the firm and it’s encouraging to see such investment in making the initiative so successful. As the firm continues to expand and underpin its significant presence across Yorkshire, the flexible structure that employee ownership provides offers the perfect platform for future growth, attracting fresh talent as well as providing stability for existing staff.

“Switching to employee ownership has had a big impact on the way we do business and how we engage with our staff which in turn has boosted financial performance.  The switch has been a resoundingly positive move for every single employee of the firm.  Everyone now has a tangible stake in the success of the business and can share in future success and profits, just as they did last year.”

Ison Harrison employs more than 270 staff across Yorkshire, offering the broadest range of legal services in the region. The firm’s commercial division now advises businesses from across all sectors in transitioning to an employee-owned business.

The firm has over 10 Law Society accreditations including Lexcel, Clinical Negligence, Family Law, Immigration & Asylum, Conveyancing Quality and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal.

Employee Engagement, Law, News, Yorkshire

Leading Law Firm Marks Second Anniversary Of Employee Ownership With Increased Annual Profit Distribution Payment To Staff

One of Yorkshire’s leading law firms has marked the second anniversary of becoming employee-owned by awarding all qualifying 270 team members a £4,000 profit distribution.

The firm also posted its most successful trading period ever for October last year, making 2023 its most successful and profitable year in its 46-year history.

Ison Harrison became one of the first regional law firms to become a 100% employee-owned business in January 2022 after the three main shareholder directors agreed to sell the business to an Employee Ownership Trust.

The firm, which employs more than 250 staff across the region, posted a record turnover of over £22 million last year, up 16% from £19 million in 2022, as well as achieving numerous other business milestones. The firm’s commercial division’s turnover increased from £1.35m to £2.7m, the legal aid team secured the prestigious Legal Aid CAPA contract helping double department turnover to more than £2.5m for the year, and the property division saw turnover increase to over £6m despite the volatile housing market.

The firm experienced a healthy level of growth in the number of new clients that it acted for with over 20,000 new clients instructing the firm throughout 2023. The firm has also once again achieved Lexcel accreditation, the approved legal industry quality mark for client care, compliance and practice management.

2023 saw the opening of the firm’s 18th office, in Doncaster, the firm’s second in South Yorkshire, with plans for further expansion across the region in the first quarter of 2024.  The firm’s 19th office, located in Queensbury, Bradford is due to open to the public in February.

As a result of the firm’s strong financial performance, individual profit distributions approved by Ison Harrison’s Board of Trustees saw all eligible employees receive a tax-free distribution of £4,000 each, an increase of £400 on the £3,600 payment last January.

Managing director Jonathan Wearing, commented: “2023 was our second year operating as an employee-owned business and what a year we’ve had in terms of achievements and overall performance. Distributing an increased bonus to our employees beyond year one’s payment reflects the drive and dedication shown by everyone throughout the year and is a true demonstration of the motivation that employee ownership can bring. Everyone contributed to delivering a record year for the firm last year which has put us in a great position to ensure that the coming year will be equally, if not more, successful and eventful.

“The move to employee ownership has been hugely positive for the firm and it’s encouraging to see such investment in making the initiative so successful. As the firm continues to expand and underpin its significant presence across Yorkshire, the flexible structure that employee ownership provides offers the perfect platform for future growth, attracting fresh talent as well as providing stability for existing staff.

“Switching to employee ownership has had a big impact on the way we do business and how we engage with our staff which in turn has boosted financial performance.  The switch has been a resoundingly positive move for every single employee of the firm.  Everyone now has a tangible stake in the success of the business and can share in future success and profits, just as they did last year.”

Ison Harrison employs more than 270 staff across Yorkshire, offering the broadest range of legal services in the region. The firm’s commercial division now advises businesses from across all sectors in transitioning to an employee-owned business.

The firm has over 10 Law Society accreditations including Lexcel, Clinical Negligence, Family Law, Immigration & Asylum, Conveyancing Quality and SRA Higher Courts Rights – civil and criminal.

Business, News, Yorkshire

Harworth to develop UK head office for Danieli at the Advanced Manufacturing Park

Global steel business Danieli & C has committed to a major investment in the UK with the development of a new headquarters in South Yorkshire.

The Italian-based group, which has annual revenues of £3.6bn designs, builds and installs low emission plants for the steel industry worldwide and produces quality special steels, is to build a 47,000 sq ft head office, research and distribution facility in Rotherham. Harworth Group plc (‘Harworth’) will develop the new Danieli headquarters at its flagship Advanced Manufacturing Park (‘AMP’) site, which is already home to some of the world’s biggest manufacturers including Boeing, Rolls-Royce and the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

The new facility will occupy a prime location within the AMP next to the McLaren Automotive Composites Technology Centre, with frontage onto the Sheffield Parkway, which connects Junction 33 of the M1 to Sheffield city centre.

Work will start on the project this month and will be completed before the end of 2024.

The new headquarters will support the further growth of Danieli in the UK, with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and will increase its distribution capabilities five-fold.

 

Andrew Betts, Managing Director at Danieli UK, said: “Our development of a new headquarters is a landmark moment for the company and a very significant signal of our future growth in the UK. Danieli has enjoyed stellar growth since it launched in the UK 25 years ago and this major investment to bring all our operations onto a single site further strengthens our ability to support our partners in the UK steel and metals recycling industry as they move towards net zero. We first opened a 3,000 sq ft site in the Lower Don Valley in 1999 and this move to a 47,000 sq ft headquarters on the prestigious Advanced Manufacturing Park is the latest chapter in our growth story in the UK.”

 

Chris Davidson, Regional Director for Yorkshire & Central at Harworth, commented: “Danieli is a world-leader in the supply of high-technology plant and equipment, so we are delighted that they have chosen the Advanced Manufacturing Park as the site of their UK headquarters and appointed Harworth to develop this facility. The AMP has established itself as an international centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing, with its recent designation as part of the UK Government’s first Investment Zone has helped to cement this reputation further, and we continue to see very strong levels of occupier interest for space at the site.”

 

The AMP covers a 150-acre site just minutes from Junction 33 of the M1, and benefits from Government Enterprise Zone and Investment Zone status. In 2011, Harworth secured outline planning consent to develop 2.1 million sq. ft of employment space at the site, which was formerly home to the Orgreave Colliery & Coking Works. Over 1.5 million sq. ft of space has been developed to date.