Solihull
All the latest news, advice and events for the Solihull business community
Contact: Lillian Elekan T: 0121 678 7488
Transport giants team
up for passenger ease Virgin Trains has joined forces with taxi firm Uber to give passengers travelling between Birmingham and Euston a more seamless journey. The two companies launched a pilot scheme
where travellers are sent a text message reminding them to book a taxi at the end of their journey. Virgin said the pilot scheme was part of
broader plans to continue optimising passenger journeys and improving customer satisfaction before, during, and after they travel. Virgin executive director Sarah Copley said:
“We know that tackling the first and final mile is critical to opening up rail travel to new customers. Our exciting new partnership with Uber is the next step in making this end to end journey easy and seamless for customers.” Uber’s Fred Jones added: “In order to make it
easy to leave your own car at home, we want door-to-door experiences to be as seamless and convenient as possible. This partnership with Virgin Trains is an exciting first step towards offering customers an easy way to combine train and car travel at the touch of a button.”
Plum Personnel passes
difficult NHS audit Solihull recruitment consultancy Plum Personnel has passed a notoriously strict audit to allow it to continue recruiting staff for local NHS Trusts. The firm has been recruiting permanent,
temporary and interim assignments for non- medical, non-clinical staff for the past five years. The latest audit – to assess the firm’s
suitability for its NHS role – was carried out by independent auditor Neuven Audit Solutions. Plum director Susie Ankrett said: “To achieve
this is testament to the diligence, good practice, commitment and hard work of everyone at Plum. The acknowledgement by Neuven is particularly important for us in our ambitions of continuing our work with the NHS.”
Managing partners announced
Solihull-based law firm The Wilkes Partnership has appointed Gareth O’Hara and Ellie Holland as joint managing partners. Mr O’Hara has been at the firm since 1993 and
has led its corporate team for many years. He also sits on the firm’s management board and oversees a number of key client and supplier relationships. Ms Holland has been with the firm since its
merger with Solihull firm Williamson & Soden five years ago. Wilkes’ senior partner Nigel Wood said: “Both
New appointments: Nigel Wood (right) with Gareth O’Hara and Ellie Holland
36 CHAMBERLINK July/August 2018
Gareth and Ellie have shown exceptional leadership and legal practice during the time they have been with us. They also have a passion for the work and I know that they are excited by
the opportunity of working more closely with all the teams and the board to further grow and broaden the reach of our firm. “The fact that both Gareth and Ellie have been
at the firm so long and seen constant progression in their careers, is also a testament to the development programme we have at Wilkes. There is some impressive legal talent in Birmingham and this is more proof that there are many opportunities here for that talent to thrive.” Wilkes has also promoted Amanda Holden
and Gavin Evans to partner status. Ms Holden has been made residential conveyancing partner, and Mr Evans has been promoted to commercial dispute resolution partner. Both have been with the firm for five years.
Utilities giant acquires Solihull energy provider
Solihull-based UK Power Reserve (UKPR) is under new ownership after being bought by Sembcorp Industries, a global utilities company. UKPR is now the largest energy provider of its
kind in the UK, and it produces electricity from gas for the National Grid, which is done at 32 sites around the UK, including Wales, Scotland, London, Gloucester and Hull.
‘We are committed to supporting the UK’s power needs in line with Government policy’
The company’s portfolio also includes 120mw
of battery storage, one of the biggest in Europe, to store electricity which can be then fed back into the national grid when needed. Singapore-based Sembcorp has bought UKPR
for £216m. The deal gives the former an additional capacity of more than 1,000
Solihull’s UKPR has been purchased by Sembcorp
megawatts in the UK, where its main operation generates and supplies energy to major industrial firms at the Wilton International manufacturing site on Teesside. Nomi Ahmad, head of Sembcorp’s UK utilities
business, said: “Sembcorp is delighted to have secured this exciting business, which deepens our presence in the UK considerably and provides major opportunities for further expansion.” Sembcorp UK currently has 210MW of
generation capacity at Wilton, which includes steam power and renewable generation. Sembcorp UK is also seeking planning
approval for two gas turbine units of up to 1,700 megawatts at Wilton. Mr Ahmad added: “We are committed to supporting the UK’s power needs in line with Government policy and the acquisition of UKPR does exactly that, as would our proposed new power station on Teesside if approved. In addition, UKPR complements our existing operations on Teesside superbly and set us firmly on track for further growth in the UK.”
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