Q&A with The Business Magazine

Q&A with The Business Magazine

Eddisons (Incorporating Daniells Harrison) provide a broad range of professional and project services across the South Coast and the Isle of Wight.

Having recently been acquired by Eddisons, The Business Magazine caught up with Director Chris Daniells to get his views following the acquisition and his predictions for the property industry in what could be a challenging year ahead.


You were recently acquired by property consultancy Eddisons with head offices based in Leeds. How has the first 10 months been?

Whilst there has been the inevitable niggle, principally relating to the IT changes, I think all of us would agree that the first 10 months have been remarkably pain free. Acquisitions such
as this can cause friction and unsettle even the best of teams. Eddisons have however always promised us that they would offer us help and support when needed, but would otherwise leave our established and successful business to continue operating as it has done for the last 30 years. They have done just that and I would like to think that apart from the rebranding, our clients and staff would agree that on a day to day basis very little has changed, albeit we now have the additional benefit of being part of a respected national consultancy and part of the Begbies Traynor Group PLC.


Formed in 1992, Daniells Harrison reached their 30-year anniversary this year. Can you tell us why the partnership decided to become part of Eddisons?

As with any good business, Daniells Harrison’s future growth and direction was constantly reviewed by the LLP Partners. Whilst we had created a very wide market for our services across a vast geographical area, we were also aware of our shortcomings. Whilst we were a large regional firm, we did not benefit from elements of our target markets by virtue of our size. We were fortunate enough to have attracted the attention of a number of companies, but it was clear from a very early stage that Eddisons were the perfect ‘fit’ for Daniells Harrison. Our professional services complemented and strengthened their own existing expertise and our geographical representation meant that Eddisons could achieve genuine market extension and national representation. The principle driving force behind our decision to sell was that we believed it was in the business’s best interest. I think that the first 10 months have demonstrated this to be the case.


Looking to the future, what are your expectations for the business as a whole for the next 12 months? Do you think the current cost of living crisis will affect business?

Daniells Harrison built a strong reputation for our Building Surveying skills and this is a key focus for growth, combined with the Education sector, an area Eddisons have already established an invaluable reputation as one of the lead consultancies for CIF (Condition Improvement Fund) bids. The general practice side of the business is expanding organically and we look forward to working alongside the team to share further success.

Historically myself and Richard Huffer have undertaken a large number of LPA Receivership appointments. Whilst none of us would want the property market to fall to the extent that appointment numbers dramatically increase, we are well placed and capable of dealing with this work should it arise.
Some of our services are not market sensitive, and as stated, elements of our business will increase in poor market and economic conditions. The professional valuation side of the business is market sensitive, particularly the residential survey department. Whilst enquiries to date are down, the volume of work is currently unaffected. How this will change over the next 12 months will depend on matters far beyond our control. If the market does worsen it is likely that instructions will be maintained, but, the source of the instruction will change, as companies and individuals seek to restructure finance and review their security.
Having run the business for 30 years, we have experienced a number of market downturns. The additional work envisaged by being part of Eddisons in such market conditions might not have been on all company’s checklists when considering acquisition offers, but the obvious complementary services offered by Daniells Harrison/Eddisons and Begbies Traynor resulted in it being a principle consideration for us.


One of your Building Surveyors has been shortlisted for the RICS Young Surveyor of the Year Awards, how do you feel you support your staff and encourage career development?

We are all very pleased for Annabel that she has been nominated. I think if I am honest, she is the sort of person who is likely to have been nominated wherever she worked. She is a credit to herself and the profession. As our first apprentice, the whole team have been able to provide her with support and advice to aid in her career progression. I genuinely believe that one of the benefits to our graduates and apprentices is the fact that our general practice and Building Surveying services are very broad, but the team work closely and there is a huge amount of knowledge and experience in the Old Manor House for graduates and apprentices to benefit from.

Final unit remaining in brand new industrial unit development

Meridian Court

Final unit remaining in brand new industrial unit development

Acting on behalf of the developer, Eddisons Huntingdon office has announced the first sale in the soon to be completed Meridian Court development in St Ives.

Unit 2, which is being purchased by a local company, is due to be finished in the next few weeks and is within a block of four units at Meridian Court which is one of the final sites within the established Compass Point development.

Units 1 and 3 within the development are also under offer and close to completion leaving just Unit 4 available which is 2,809 sq ft.

Richard Adam, Director at Eddisons who is handling the marketing of the site commented “We have had good interest for this development which is within an excellent location upon Compass Point, handy for nearby services and offering parties the opportunity to purchase their own building.  We have also had interest from investor purchasers looking to buy and lease.  There is a further phase of four units planned for next year but we advise interested parties to contact us regarding the remaining unit to secure prices at the current level.

For more information on Meridian Court, contact Richard Adam on 01480 415727 or [email protected].

Talking Trusts Speaker Spotlight: Lisa Howfield, School Business Leadership Services

Speaker spotlight - Lisa

Talking Trusts Speaker Spotlight: Lisa Howfield, School Business Leadership Services

Next up in our Speaker Spotlight series is Lisa Howfield, CEO of School Business Leadership Services.

What does a strong trust mean to you?
A strong trust works together as one unit to achieve the best outcomes and increased opportunities for all the pupils and staff. Schools retain their identity but gain from the benefits of working collaboratively in all aspects of managing a school by sharing expertise and resources.

Why should people attend this event?
To break away from the demands of a school day for the chance to think strategically and discuss a range of options for your school with like-minded colleagues in a relaxed environment.

What should they expect to learn from you and/or your business?
Support in all aspects of the business management of a school, focusing on the optimal use of resources to ensure stability and growth.

About Lisa Howfield

Lisa is the founder and CEO of School Business Leadership Services (SBLS). As a former School Business Manager and CFO, she understands the challenges facing schools and provides support in the strategic and operational management of finances, HR, procurement, estates, line management and the professional development of support staff.

Catch Lisa Howfield at our free education breakfast webinar on 10th November 2022, 9:30am – 11:30am.

Click the link to book your place: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3l-DUkhqSfiYwmcOKb_zDw

Talking Trusts Speaker Spotlight: Chris Whitmore, The Schools People

Speaker spotlight - Chris

Talking Trusts Speaker Spotlight: Chris Whitmore, The Schools People

Second up in our Speaker Spotlight series is Chris Whitmore, CEO of The Schools People.

What does a strong trust mean to you?
In the constantly changing education sector, strength means agility; agile leadership which draws together the collective assets of the organisation in service of its goals and communities and draws out the best from each as they mutually develop. It is a strength of combination, of collectivity and of co-creation of educational, organisational and pastoral possibilities.

Why should people attend this event?
To work together with the speakers and other attendees to co-create a new understanding of the possibilities generated by the White Paper and of the agile co-operation with stakeholders and partners old and new to bring those possibilities to fruition for the benefit of the communities we all serve. To meet new colleagues, forge new partnerships and have a laugh along the way.

What should they expect to learn from you and/or your business?
How to navigate the complexities of the HR and employment law field, to separate regulatory and accountability wood from trees and to bring coherence to the strategic people needs of any Trust as it is formed and as it grows.

About Chris Whitmore 

Chris is CEO at The Schools People as well as HR Director in the Schools Advisory Service Group of companies. He is an employment lawyer and HR practitioner, an ILM level 7 qualified Executive and Leadership Coach and a GDPR expert, with a lifelong love of all things industrial relations.

Catch Chris Whitmore at our free education breakfast seminar on 10th November 2022, 9:30am – 12:30pm at Bowcliffe Hall, Leeds.

Click here to book your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-trusts-event-tickets-427765396817

Eddisons wins public highway works design bid for Birmingham’s largest housing development

Langley Sutton Coldfield development

Eddisons wins public highway works design bid for Birmingham’s largest housing development

Eddisons’ transport planning and design division has won a bid to deliver detailed design of the public highway works for the 5,500-home Langley Sutton Coldfield development.

Eddisons’ transport planning and design division has won a bid to deliver detailed design of the public highway works for the 5,500-home Langley Sutton Coldfield development., the largest new residential scheme being progressed in Birmingham, will house 14,000 people across over 5,500 new homes on a huge site west of the A38. The ambitious scheme includes 753,000 sq ft of mixed-use space, three primary schools, a high school, health centres, community facilities and 200 acres of public space.

The Eddisons transport team will deliver public highway design works focused on nine strategic access points to the new development, interlinked by a network of new dedicated cycle routes around the perimeter of the site.

Mike Coogan, head of the transport planning design team, said: “The scale and ambition of Langley Sutton Coldfield, providing so many much-needed homes, over 35 per cent of which will be affordable, means it is a very exciting project for Eddisons to be involved with.

“Sustainability and reducing reliance on cars is central to the whole scheme and we are really pleased to be able to contribute towards delivering a cycle-friendly infrastructure that will make travelling by bike a safe and accessible option for residents.”

Construction is expected to begin on the development next year, taking 15-20 years to complete.

 

Talking Trusts Speaker Spotlight: Jeff Marshall, J & G Marshall

Speaker spotlight - Jeff

Talking Trusts Speaker Spotlight: Jeff Marshall, J & G Marshall

In the lead up to our Talking Trusts Event, our Speaker Spotlight series will introduce you to our panel of experts as well as their area of specialism.

Today, we meet Jeff Marshall of J & G Marshall.

What does a strong trust mean to you?
A strong Trust is one that is centred in doing what’s right for children. It is run by people with the right skill sets and right mindset making the right decisions for the right reasons. It creates something bigger than the sum of the parts and utilises every asset to make children feel safe, valued and able to learn. It recognises and values staff and listens to parents. It does not focus solely on academics and considers all aspects of the Trust – including estates – to gain incremental improvements.

Why should people attend this event?
The recent White Paper has brought academies back into focus and now all schools – and existing Trusts – must take stock of the direction of travel, the options facing us all and the benefits and risks of each. Obtaining quality support and guidance from external agencies will be key to making the right decision for the school or Trust. The people presenting here are enablers in this.

What should they expect to learn from you and/or your business?
The skills and mindset to make the right decisions followed by on the ground support and practical guidance to move forward into the academy world and be supported post conversion. We cover the mechanics of converting to academy status and develop the people who will run it. This joined up approach to strategic and operational will take a lot of the pain away in the journey.

About Jeff Marshall

Jeff is Managing Director of J & G Marshall Ltd and Marshall Professional Development Ltd. He has been a school Governor for 28 years and Chair for 22 at one of the first Primary Schools in the country to become an academy. Jeff has supported over 280 school to academy conversions and has personally undertaken over 100 External Reviews of Governance on Maintained schools and Academy Trusts.

Catch Jeff Marshall at our free education breakfast seminar on 10th November 2022, 9:30am – 12:30pm at Bowcliffe Hall, Leeds.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/talking-trusts-event-tickets-427765396817

Eddisons let 1.82 acre industrial site in Mildenhall

Plot 41, Hampstead Avenue

Eddisons let 1.82 acre industrial site in Mildenhall

Eddisons Bury St Edmunds agency team has completed the letting of industrial premises of 20,809 sq ft set on a 1.82 acre industrial site in Mildenhall.

Acting on behalf of the landlord, Eddisons negotiated the letting of Plot 41, Hampstead Avenue with Activate Accident Repair Group Ltd who have committed to a long term lease.

The nationwide company, which carries out vehicle body repairs for the motability sector, have taken occupation of the industrial site comprising two detached buildings and a substantial concrete yard.

Simon Burton, Director of Agency at Eddisons, comments: “The market continues to be strong for large industrial units in Mildenhall. We are pleased to have completed this letting to Activate Accident Repair Group Ltd and introducing a new business to Mildenhall.”

As part of the deal, Eddisons’ Director of Building Surveying, Rory Addison Smith, dealt with the project management of the new roof, which was installed as part of negotiations and led to an enhanced rent being agreed upon.

 

Bury St Edmunds retail unit let to hairdressers

3 Kings Road Mews

Bury St Edmunds retail unit let to hairdressers

Eddisons has secured the letting of a prominent retail unit in Bury St Edmunds to hairdressers Gavin Ashley Ltd.

Eddisons acted on behalf of the landlord Denny Bros Holdings Ltd to agree a long term lease on the property.3 Kings Road Mews comprises a ground floor retail unit close to the heart of Bury St Edmunds town centre. The premises benefits from double frontage onto Kings Road, close to the ARC Shopping centre. The tenant has undertaken an extensive high end fit out of the property, which provides them with additional space.

Gavin Ashley is a well-established hairdressing salon who have been trading in the town for more than 40 years and have relocated from their former premises in Churchgate Street.

Simon Burton, Surveyor at Eddisons commented, “Kings Road is a busy retail destination in the heart of the town centre. We wish Gavin Ashley all the best in their new premises.”

For further information on retail units in Bury St Edmunds, please contact Simon Burton on [email protected] or 01284 715005.

Pre-hospital training facility to open in Newmarket

Eddisons Tulip House

Pre-hospital training facility to open in Newmarket

Acting on behalf of the landlord, Eddisons has let Tulip House, 1 Craven Court in Newmarket to pre-hospital training provider Medipro.

MediPro has agreed a new 10 year lease on the recently refurbished office unit, which was previously occupied by the East of England Ambulance Service. The building provides a total area of 8,362 sq ft arranged over two floors and will be used as an additional training facility for emergency care assistants and associate ambulance practitioners.

Brian English, Managing Director of MediPro, comments: “Medipro Limited is a leading provider of pre-hospital education in the UK. We train ambulance technicians, offshore medics, diver medics and paramedics. Medipro is also the largest provider of ambulance apprenticeships nationwide, training thousands of emergency care assistants and associate ambulance practitioners.

“In 2021, due to the business growth, we doubled our office space in Stockton-on-Tees where we have our purpose-built training centre. In 2022, it was evident we need to look for another training centre down south in order to accommodate further growth.

“Eddisons have become a key support in helping us to secure training centre in Newmarket.

“Their approach was exceptionally professional, and I would highly recommend their services.”

For more information on premises for sale in Newmarket, contact Simon Parsons on 01480 451578 or [email protected].

Eddisons East Midland team’s 47-mile walk beats fundraising target to raise over £14k for charity

Eddisons sue ryder coastal walk

Eddisons East Midland team’s 47-mile walk beats fundraising target to raise over £14k for charity

Eddisons’ eastern regional offices in Peterborough, Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds joined forces in September to complete the 47-mile Norfolk Coast Path from Hunstanton to Cromer. They completed the challenge in just 24hrs and have raised a staggering £14,000 for their nominated charity, Sue Ryder.

Inspired by their friend David Park, a director in Eddisons’ Peterborough building and project consultancy team who was sadly diagnosed with cancer in 2021, the team set a target of raising £10,000 for Sue Ryder, the charity that provides expert palliative care to people living with life-limiting conditions.

The intrepid team set off from Hunstanton on the morning of 8 September, trekking throughout the night along the coastal route and reaching Cromer the following morning.

“It was tough, but we did it,” said eastern region director Martin Hughes. “As a team, we were able to push through the night and keep our spirits up despite the aches and pains and a closed path which actually added to the 47 miles!

“We’re so proud and grateful for all the support we’ve received in helping us beat our £10,000 target and raise over £14,000 to provide help and much-needed expert end-of-life care for Sue Ryder.