This relocation comes after a period of growth for the UK division of the French banking group, which specialises in consumer finance products. BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK has been based in Solihull for over 50 years and will be moving from its current premises at Chadwick House.

Chief executive Stephen Hunt commented that the move to the modern office space marks a significant milestone for the business. The new HQ will offer a flexible and efficient working environment, supporting the company’s more agile working approach.

The decision to remain in Solihull was also influenced by the company’s desire to reduce its carbon footprint. The new premises will contribute to BNP Paribas’ sustainability goals, a move praised by Solihull Council leader Ian Courts, who highlighted the continued attractiveness of the area for business investment.

The relocation supports the company’s ambitions for future development and collaboration while maintaining its long-standing presence in the region.

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Craig Barker, founder of Koobr, and Katie Bregazzi, director at Balls2 Marketing, will lead the new agency, while Balls2 Marketing founders Sarah and Andy Ball will step back from daily operations but remain involved in the company’s strategic direction.

The new entity will provide an extensive array of services, including PR, content creation, email marketing, social media strategy, and specialised glazing industry knowledge. The partnership is set to enhance these offerings with Koobr’s expertise in digital marketing, technology, and design.

Katie Bregazzi highlighted that the merger allows them to offer clients a unified marketing approach that spans multiple platforms and markets. She emphasised the significance of this for businesses in the rapidly evolving glazing supply chain industry.

Andy Ball expressed excitement about this new chapter, noting that Balls2 Marketing has built strong partnerships over the past 14 years with leading companies in the industry. He added that the merger will allow The Koobr Group to continue innovating and driving growth for its clients with a talented leadership team and a wealth of industry experience.

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The grant will enable Global Brands to implement several energy-efficient technologies at its Clay Cross distribution centre. These upgrades include the installation of energy-efficient lighting, the introduction of battery storage to harness solar power, and the establishment of an onsite Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuelling station. These initiatives are expected to significantly reduce emissions from the company’s distribution operations.

Global Brands is aiming for a 40% reduction in emissions per £M turnover by 2030, with an ultimate goal of a 92% reduction by 2050. The company has already taken steps towards sustainability, with over half of its warehouse energy now generated by solar panels and a plan to switch its entire logistics fleet to zero-carbon by 2050.

Shaun Bacon, group managing and financial director at Global Brands, emphasised the importance of the investment, stating that adopting energy-efficient solutions and alternative fuels is essential for reducing the company’s environmental impact. He expressed hopes that the company’s actions would inspire other businesses in the community to pursue similar sustainability goals.

The grant is part of a broader initiative by the North East Derbyshire District Council’s Low Carbon Challenge Fund, which supports businesses in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Lee Barned, chair of the Clay Cross Town Board, praised the ease of the grant process and the positive impact it is having on local businesses’ sustainability journeys.

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Recyclus Group, in addition to its Wolverhampton facility, manages a lead-acid battery recycling plant in Tipton. The Wolverhampton facility received an Environment Agency permit in 2023, allowing it to store up to 100 tonnes of Li-ion batteries daily and process up to 22,000 tonnes annually. The Tipton plant, the first of five planned in the UK, has the capacity to recycle 15,000 tonnes of lead-acid materials in its first full year of operations, with a goal to reach 80,000 tonnes across the remaining plants in the coming years.

As part of the restructuring, Philip Beard has stepped down as an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, with Technology Minerals set to announce a new chairperson soon. This change comes as the company continues to review the composition of its board and committees.

Robin Brundle, Chairman of Technology Minerals, highlighted that the cost reduction measures are part of a broader effort to boost productivity throughout the business. He also expressed gratitude to Beard for his strategic contributions to the company.

The cost-cutting strategy also includes reducing head office expenses and reviewing services as Technology Minerals focuses on its key assets, including its 48.35% interest in Recyclus Group.

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PAM Building operates two key production plants: one in Telford, Shropshire, and another in Bayard, Haute-Marne, France. The division employs around 400 people and generated approximately €110 million in revenue during 2023. This sale would allow SAINT-GOBAIN PAM to concentrate on its core business of producing and delivering water transport and supply networks.

The divestment aligns with Saint-Gobain’s ‘Grow & Impact’ strategy, which focuses on optimising its business. The sale process, which has been presented to the company’s social partners, is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

This move also follows the company’s sale of the Celotex insulation brand to Soprema, a decision influenced by the criticism received in the aftermath of the Grenfell Inquiry. Saint-Gobain, a key player in the construction and industrial materials sectors, continues to refine its business focus as part of its long-term strategy.

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The Fablink Group, based in the UK, is a manufacturer of metal pressings, operator cab assemblies, fuel and hydraulic tanks, and vehicle assemblies. It operates across six sites in Wolverhampton, Evenwood, Luton, Durham, Brixworth, and Northampton. The company, with revenues of £110m, serves as a Tier 1 supplier to the automotive, transport, and off-highway sectors, including major global OEMs.

In a related development, EV Technology Group has announced the acquisition of Fablink Group Holdings in a deal valued at £38.8m. The transaction includes an initial cash payment of £29.5m for 76% of Fablink, with the deal expected to be completed later this year. Following the acquisition, Fablink’s CEO, Richard Westley, will transition to EV Technology as Chief Operating Officer.

The acquisition strengthens EV Technology’s access to Fablink’s in-house manufacturing expertise, especially in response to the growing demand for electric vehicle assembly through Streamline Automotive, a division launched by Fablink.

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Tennant, who has over two decades of experience in the financial services and legal sectors, has held senior positions at companies such as Simply Conveyancing Group and My Home Move (now Simplify). His expertise in driving growth through innovation, digital transformation, and technology strategy will play a pivotal role in Flint Bishop’s future projects.

In his new position, Tennant will oversee the development and implementation of the firm’s technology strategy, ensuring the successful delivery of transformational initiatives across the business. His focus will include advancements in data and technology, including AI, to improve internal processes and client services.

Flint Bishop’s chief executive, Qamer Ghafoor, praised Tennant’s appointment, stating: “Paul’s vast experience in managing large-scale IT projects and driving innovation makes him a valuable addition to our leadership team. In a rapidly changing legal environment, firms must prioritise efficiency and innovation, and I am confident Paul’s expertise will help us strengthen our market position.”

Tennant’s arrival is expected to bolster Flint Bishop’s efforts in adopting client-focused, innovative solutions that will keep the firm at the forefront of the legal industry.

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With this acquisition, Acosta Europe will manage two distinct agency brands: Reach, which includes ShopSmart, and Dee Set. Both agencies have strong ties with well-known UK retailers and brands, including Morrisons, Arla, and Asda. Although they will remain separate entities, Dee Set and Reach will benefit from shared services and cross-agency expertise.

Greg Phillips will continue as managing director of Dee Set Group, while Ian Forshew has been named senior vice president and group managing director of Acosta Europe. Andy Buck will lead Reach as managing director.

Forshew commented on the deal, stating: “This acquisition brings together two major players in retail and field marketing to deliver comprehensive, flexible, and innovative solutions for the evolving UK retail market. Our expanded capabilities position us for the future, offering a one-stop shop for all brand and retailer needs.”

Phillips expressed excitement over the new opportunities created by the acquisition, noting the benefits for both customers and colleagues.

Forshew will report directly to Lisa Koth, who oversees Acosta Europe in addition to her responsibilities for corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and innovation within the broader Acosta Group.

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Administrators from BDO were appointed to handle the collapse, and they successfully arranged the sale of two divisions of the company to Wolverhampton Electro Plating. While this move secured jobs within those divisions, the rest of the business has ceased trading, leading to an undisclosed number of redundancies.

At the time of filing its last accounts with Companies House, the company employed around 50 staff. Joint administrators Kerry Bailey and Lee Causer expressed both relief at securing the sale and regret over the unavoidable layoffs.

Bailey stated: “The Electrolytic Plating Company has traded for over a century, but it has had to navigate several financial challenges, particularly since the COVID crisis. We are delighted that the sale of the two divisions and certain assets will see the business continue, securing the continued employment for the divisional employees.”

Unfortunately, despite the rescue of some parts of the business, the administration process has resulted in job losses. The administrators are now assisting affected employees with their statutory redundancy claims and are focused on maximising the remaining assets of the company for the benefit of creditors.

The Electrolytic Plating Company’s financial struggles were evident in its 2022 accounts, which revealed fixed assets worth £3 million and current assets of approximately £1.2 million. However, liabilities outweighed these assets, leaving the company with net assets of just under £48,000.

This marks a difficult end for a long-established firm, although the sale of key divisions provides a glimmer of hope for continued operations under new ownership.

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Infrabee has plans to develop a series of solar and battery sites across the UK and Europe, with 25 projects currently in various stages of development. Five of these are expected to be connected within 18 months, while the remaining sites are projected to be completed over the next four years. Two of these developments, at Costock and Burton Top, have qualified for Government backing under the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which provides financial support for green energy initiatives.

Infrabee director Henry Brown expressed excitement over the progress of the projects, stating that the clean energy produced by the New Forest solar farm would significantly reduce carbon emissions. Fellow director Nick Barber also noted the importance of securing both planning consent and Government support for the development of sustainable energy solutions.

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