Lola Composites, a composite components manufacturer supplying the aerospace, defence, communications and automotive industries, has been reborn as Forward Composites Limited, following the deal negotiated by administrators Mark Newman and James Snowdon.

During the period of administration, CCW Recovery Solutions, part of national firm Crowe Clark Whitehill and based in Tunbridge Wells, continued to trade the business and successfully completed around £3 million worth of orders, and during the 10 months of administration employed up to 100 people.

Lola Composites was struck by a bad debt from its sister company Lola Cars, which traded for more than 50 years and was at the cutting edge of British motorsports, and which also went into administration.

Mark Newman, Partner at CCW Recovery Solutions, said: “The sale is great news for the new management team, their staff and customers, and is an example of the work we undertake nationally. Once appointed as administrators we quickly developed a plan to salvage the business which saw us consolidate the operations onto one site in Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.

“Despite having to cut costs, which saw a number of people being made redundant, we have successfully secured a positive future for the business, ensuring the country retains this important manufacturing and technological capability.”

The new company, spearheaded by former Lola Cars commercial director Paul Jackson, as Managing Director, and his former colleague Ed Collings as Technical Director, will trade from the Lola Composites previous Huntingdon premises.

The Crowe Clark Whitehill Recovery Solutions team developed a plan to salvage the business, requiring a consolidation of operations onto one site, allowing it to trade at a reduced cost. Despite staffing losses, the new firm is confident that a significant number of new roles will be created by Forward Composites, which has already secured its first major order.

Mark Newman added: “We are confident that Forward Composites will trade successfully for many years to come and will provide ongoing job opportunities in the Huntingdon area.”

The team at CCW Recovery Solutions was unable to secure a purchaser for Lola Cars, which was once a force behind many Le Mans race winners, and it ceased to trade in Autumn 2012 after a disposal of the remaining stock.

The FDs’ Excellence Awards have celebrated excellence in financial management since 2005.The categories recognising service providers to the finance industry are decided using the results of an annual survey of 1,380 UK FDs and financial decision-makers. This client testimony makes the FDs’ Awards one of the most prestigious in the UK finance industry.

Crowe Clark Whitehill was awarded Auditor of the Year on the basis of the firm’s outstanding level of client service and meticulous approach to major audits. This is the fourth time the firm has won an audit award in the nine years the FDs’ Excellence Awards has run.

The firm scored well across all service areas. One audit partner who scored highly is Steve Gale who was praised, in particular, for his sector expertise. “He is thoughtful, adaptable and helpful,” said one respondent. “He knows our sector and our business in particular, and has continually challenged the firm in key aspects of our accounts and decision making processes,” said another.

Commenting on the win, Crowe Clark Whitehill chief executive Andrew Pianca said:
“I am very pleased to see CroweClark Whitehill named Auditor of the Year: Large Firms, and congratulate our audit team on their success. These awards are decided on the basis of industry opinion, which makes this win an even greater honour. I would like to offer my thanks to those who took the time to give their opinion on our audit service. Your support is greatly appreciated and, I hope, a reflection of our commitment to be a true partner to your business.”

Keith Newman, managing partner in Kent, added: “We are extremely proud to have won this award. Whilst it recognises our client service and approach to major audits, we adopt the same service and approach to all our clients, no matter their size, standing or location. We pride ourselves in building long term relationships with our clients and it is good to see that recognised through this award.”

Chairman of the Canterbury-based company, Roger O’Shea, and Director, Nicholas O’Shea, were at the orchestra’s latest concert at the theatre last week, which featured one of Britain’s greatest conductors, Sir Andrew Davis.

Director of Residencies at the Philharmonia, James Williams, said Pharon’s three-year pledge is a remarkable achievement in the current financial climate. He added: “This offers both our organisations the rare opportunity of stability, thereby enabling us to plan with confidence three future seasons of concerts at The Marlowe featuring the very finest artists and repertoire that the Philharmonia Orchestra has to offer.”

Roger O’Shea said: “We are delighted to be renewing our support in this way. This is a wonderful orchestra which provides community-wide benefits as seen at the recent Universe Of Sound project.”

The Philharmonia’s next concert at The Marlowe Theatre is on Friday 18 October and features conductor Vladimir Ashkesnazy. For details, call the Box Office on 01227 787787 or go to marlowetheatre.com.

Top Photo:From left to right, Pharon Director Nicholas O’Shea, conductor Sir Andrew Davis, Pharon Chairman Roger O’Shea and violinist Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay.

First the children ran tests on in the laboratory to determine whether liquids were acids or alkalis, then they witnessed the scientists conduct an experiment called “elephant’s toothpaste” – with explosive results! Finally they learnt about gases by witnessing the famous “coke and mentos” experiment.

Jason Thompson and Kirstin Whibley, two scientists from Novartis, who are based on Kent Science Park, helped showcase some of the experiments and spoke to the children about a career in science. Novartis develops effective, targeted medicines, vaccines and diagnostic tests ensuring that these technologies get to the patients who need them quickly. Kirstin Whibley commented: “It was wonderful to see young children interested in Science and to harness their natural curiosity about how the world around them works and hopefully inspire them to choose a future in science.’

James Speck, Site Director at Kent Science Park said: “It’s important to encourage children to consider the sciences from GCSE and beyond. Here at Kent Science Park, we are aware that it’s essential to invest in science education as we host high-tech engineering, environmental, ICT and medical technology companies who need to recruit a skilled workforce. It’s a pleasure to be able to give children a glimpse of what goes on in modern laboratories and hopefully it will inspire them to choose science-based subjects for their careers.”

Julie Coleman, who runs KSRC said: “The event was great fun. We have two well-equipped teaching laboratories and a diverse range of biological and chemical equipment and are able to offer educational activities to suit all school age children.”

Any schools interested in the Kent Science Resource Centre should contact Julie Coleman by visiting www.kentscienceresourcecentre.co.uk/contact

There are a series of 10 separate rooms (each presenting a section of the orchestra) and connected pods, which offer visitors the opportunity to join in as musicians, conductors, arrangers and composers, ultimately creating their own, new Planets musical experience.

The Philharmonia’s Laura Callaghan said feedback so far has been entirely and overwhelmingly positive: “Visitors have been getting a lot out of it; we have already had a few people come back for a second time and most say when they are leaving that they intend to tell friends and colleagues about Universe of Sound because they have been so impressed.”
Universe Of Sound runs daily from 10am to 6pm until Sunday 12 May. The Philharmonia is The Marlowe Theatre’s resident orchestra.

The Kentish dairy experts will be handing out their delicious ice cream to shoppers in return for a donation to the charity.

Stephen Solley, managing director of Solley’s Farms said: “The Pilgrims Hospices do tremendous work across east Kent, providing specialist palliative care in Canterbury, Ashford and Thanet. We are proud to support them and hope that all those who enjoy our ice cream will make a contribution to the Hospices’ invaluable work.”

Solley’s will be giving away the ice cream from their 1971 Morrisons van. The authentic van – complete with chimes – will bring back many a happy memory for those old enough to remember the iconic look of the original ice cream vans, and excite those young enough to know what its appearance means.

Solley’s, based in Ripple, near Deal, is one of the largest independent ice cream makers in the South East and has been producing real Kentish dairy ice cream for almost 30 years. It recently began supplying Australian airline Qantas.

Stephen Solley said: “Our ice cream is the result of generations of dairy production experience and we source 85 per cent of our base products from Kent and all of our milk from a Jersey herd on a neighbouring farm.”

For more information about Solley’s Farms visit www.solleysicecream.co.uk
For information on the Pilgrims Hospices visit www.pilgrimshospices.org

The CHAIN2 project was developed in order to encourage more cross-collaborative working between companies in southern England and those in the regions of Brittany and Normandy. The three-year project began last April, and KSP’s dual role is to help companies in Kent and the South East to forge strong links with companies in France, whilst encouraging French companies to set up on our side of the channel.

This latest collaboration was specifically targeted at IT and Technology businesses in France to showcase the opportunities available in the UK at locations such as Kent Science Park. Attendees visited UK businesses, met with UK-based SMEs and attended networking events where they were able to meet like-minded business owners. Richard Wheeler, Head of Business Development at KSP is the lead UK partner for CHAIN2. He discussed the ambitions he has for CHAIN2, and the benefits of this recent venture:

“The whole point of CHAIN2 is to create stronger working links between the UK and France, and ultimately to encourage French businesses that Kent and the South East are ideally placed for them to access the UK market. Obviously this creates more jobs and brings more investment into the region.

“We try to make it as easy as possible for companies to get started, which is why we offer a ‘soft landing’ service. This means that French companies who are deciding whether or not to take a step into the UK can work out of the Kent Science Park for a period whilst they get to know the market. We can also help to arrange a similar service for UK companies who are thinking of expanding into France.”

Babs Knott, Site Administrator at KSP is also heavily involved in the CHAIN2 project. She spoke about what UK companies could hope to gain from becoming involved with CHAIN2:

“There are two ways that UK companies can get involved. Firstly, if they get in touch with us we can keep them updated on all projects that CHAIN2 is involved in within the UK. Companies can register on our new database of French and UK businesses, so, when businesses come over from France looking for suppliers or collaborators, we can help to make introductions. Our reach also extends across the channel, as we arrange trips for UK businesses to visit France to understand the market in order to help them to gain a foothold.”

Companies interested in becoming part of the CHAIN2 network should contact babs.knott@ksp-uk.com in the first instance.

Annie, who lives in Belvedere, also home to 8point3’s own sheet metal plant where its range of bespoke LED lighting for commercial and industrial clients is manufactured, joins the team as Business Administrator.

“I started my engineering life as an apprentice in the Ministry of Defence and believe passionately in the value of such schemes” said Ashley Bateup, Managing Director of 8point3, which operates from Suscon in Dartford.

“My memories of my time as an apprentice are not only of what I learned academically, which stood me in very good stead for my career in business, but also of the people I worked with and learned from, who were all so happy to pass on their experience, knowledge and wisdom.

“I hope we can do the same for Annie and give her a strong grounding to the start of her business career – I am delighted she has joined us. We continue to look for opportunities to recruit young, enthusiastic people who have an appetite to learn.”

Annie, who will be supporting and developing 8point3’s business delivery strategy as part of her new role, attended Bexleyheath School and has always wanted to work in a company that had a focus on new technology.

“I am very excited to have joined 8point3,” she said. “I am quickly learning about what is involved in LED lighting and the benefits it brings in energy and cost savings and the positive impact it can have on reducing an organisation’s carbon footprint. LED represents a new era of lighting and its adoption will become wide-spread across the commercial and industrial sector and will be common place in our homes.

“To be able to work for a company that is at the leading edge of this relatively new and rapidly developing market and help it build its business will, I am sure, provide me with a good business understanding and help me in my future career.”

The property sales clampdown is aimed at anyone who has sold second or additional residential properties in the UK or abroad where capital gains tax should be paid on any profits made, but has not informed HMRC.

The campaign will focus on sales of homes that were inherited, rented to a third party or used as holiday accommodation. People have until Friday, August 9 to inform HMRC of any unpaid tax on property sales and until Friday, September 6 to pay the amount owed.

Steve Carpenter, Tax Manager at Maidstone-based DSH, said: “HMRC takes tax avoidance very seriously and is increasingly seeking to impose maximum penalties. After September 6, HMRC will closely scrutinise the tax affairs of those who have sold properties other than their main home, but who appear to have paid no capital gains tax.

“By using this campaign to come forward voluntarily, people will receive the best possible terms, as any penalty they pay by coming forward now will be lower than if HMRC comes to them first.”

DSH advises anyone who has profited from the sale of second or additional homes to contact them to check that their tax payments are in order, before HMRC find otherwise. Those who have made a loss could also benefit from seeking advice as they may be able to deduct it from a gain made in the same year or future years.

The property sales campaign cannot be used by those who buy and sell property as a business as they are subject to income tax rather than capital gains tax, or by a trust, company or partnership.

To find out more about DSH Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors, visit www.dsh.co.uk or call 01622 690666.

Automotive Distributors Ltd (ADL), based at Marden near Maidstone, is a specialist automotive parts company serving the independent aftermarket. Currently employing more than 220 people, the management estimates that its workforce will expand to nearly 375 people by 2016 as it continues to enter new international markets.

The company is on target to turnover more than £75 million during 2013, with exports to 46 countries accounting for more than 50 per cent of ADL’s sales.

To find the all-important new employees, including professional office-based roles, logistics experts and warehousing positions, ADL is holding a Recruitment Event on Thursday 30th May between 16:00 and 20:30 at the Hilton Hotel, Maidstone, at Junction 7 of the M20.

Julie Pierce, HR Director for ADL, said: “The last few years have seen very exciting growth in our business against the backdrop of tough economic times.

“We place great emphasis on teamwork at ADL as we recognise that if the pace of growth is to continue we need to retain our skilled people and recruit new talent to the business, which is why we’re hosting a special Recruitment Event.”

The company, recognised as an Investor in People, recently launched an Apprenticeship scheme with current vacancies in the areas of Logistics, Supply Chain, Product Development and Quality Control. Applicants for positions in all disciplines are encouraged, with all experience levels ranging from school-leavers, graduates looking for their first job or professionals in finance, IT, marketing and logistics.

As part of the German-based bilstein group, which employs more than 1,500 people across Europe, ADL markets its products under the Blue Print brand and specialises in parts for Asian and American vehicles. For more information about the company visit: www.blueprint-adl.co.uk