Lichfield & Tamworth Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber Patrons


Contact: Marilyn Castree T: 0845 603 6650


In Brief


Tamworth-based Pickering Solicitors has appointed two newly qualified lawyers. Alex Morris has joined the corporate and


commercial team and Tori Shepherd has been hired by the firm’s expanding employment team. The firm’s chief executive Simon King said:


“This brings our team to a total of 50 employees and will assist us in providing the highest levels of service and expertise to our growing client base. “We aim to provide the levels of specialist


expertise usually found only in large city firms right here in a convenient and cost effective setting in Tamworth. Further expansion of our range of legal services is planned over the next five years. “Our growth plans are further boosted by


the fact that this year a record number of our lawyers have been recognised for their expertise by The Legal 500, a directory of leading law firms.” • Pickerings has also appointed specialist


planning solicitor Lucinda Holloway, to run the firm’s new planning law service.


A first-class IT system for Lichfield theatre


A link-up between Lichfield Garrick Theatre and the city’s business of the year is having a dramatic effect on and off stage. The partnership with IT and cloud specialist


First Class Technologies is saving the theatre a considerable amount of time and money thanks to a new, partially cloud-based computer system installed by the firm. An added spin-off from the association has


enabled the Garrick to put on a production using social media for the first time. Letters to Emma, a new play based on the life


of 18th Century Lichfield poet Anna Seward, featured a wireless rig supplied by FCT for a contemporary scene. The actors used a laptop as part of the show and the audience was able to see their tweets and messages.


‘We are trying very hard to be efficient in the way we do things’


Garrick executive director Karen Foster said:


New starters: Alex Morris and Tori Shepherd Simon King (centre)


Property consultant Wakemans has completed work on a new development at one of the most popular industrial/ distribution schemes in the Midlands. The firm provided a multi-disciplinary service


acting as employer’s agent, quantity surveyor and principal designer on the construction of units A and B at Centurion Park in Wilnecote near Tamworth, for St Modwen. Unit A, which was completed as part of


phase one in June 2016 and is occupied by DFS, comprises a 52,816 sq ft and warehouse facility with associated offices and external areas. Phase two involved the construction of a


new industrial unit – Unit B. This unit, provides a total of 153,418 sq ft of space comprising a 147,196 sq ft warehouse and office accommodation of 6,222 sq ft. Jonathan Green, director of asset management at St Modwen, said: “This will provide much needed grade A space in the area and, once occupied, could create up to 200 new jobs. There has been a great demand for this type of space in the region, and we have already received interest from a number of potential occupiers.” A 21-acre site adjacent to junction 10 of the


M42, Centurion Park’s existing tenants include furniture retailer DFS, supermarket chain Aldi and AAH Pharmaceuticals.


30 CHAMBERLINK December 2017/January 2018


“We have had a 52 per cent cut in our funding and like every other arts organisation under pressure financially, we are trying very hard to be efficient in the way we do things. “FCT came highly recommended and have


helped us to make significant cost savings as well as saving us a massive amount of time. The new computer equipment connects incredibly quickly, has little internet downtime and thus we have a much more robust system. “This has brought us into the 21st Century and we can look towards more modern ways of


IT savvy: Richard Hinton demonstrates the benefits of the new computer system to Karen Foster


working behind the scenes and on stage. It’s definitely making a big difference and is helping the public facing team welcome our patrons in with the knowledge that they can rely on our new technology to process their bookings quickly and efficiently.” Managing director Richard Hinton said: “We’ve


helped the Garrick move from the computer equivalent of a giant room full of hundreds of files to being able to press a single button and have everything at their fingertips. “This doesn’t just include making the booking


system much slicker, it covers all the financial documents for shows plus all the scheduling.”


Hattie’s hard work earns a new role


A plea for work experience paid off for a tenacious 22-year-old Lichfield graduate who has landed her dream first job with a local web design and marketing agency. Hattie Anderson has been


taken on as marketing officer at Cocoonfxmedia after a fortnight’s work experience. Managing partner James Blackman (pictured with Hattie) said: “Hattie is joining us after taking the courage to approach us for work experience. We gave her two weeks and were blown away by her work ethic and ability to apply herself to the job of a marketing officer. “It was Hattie’s courage and tenacity that won


her that job and it’s been really refreshing to see a young person putting themselves out there and creating their own opportunities.”


Hattie has just finished completing her MSc in marketing. She said: “I think young people need to be proactive in their job search and contact local companies as well as the larger companies. There’s nothing to lose with short-term work experience as


you get out the cycle of being unsuccessful due to a ‘lack of


experience’.” In her new role, Hattie will focus on


internal and external marketing, social


media management, content marketing and search engine optimisation. • Gareth Walrond has joined Cocoonfxmedia as lead developer, and will focus on web design and development. Gareth has worked with clients including Virgin Media, Harley Davidson Motorcycles, Lotus Cars, DFS and Save The Children.


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