MEMBERSNEWS
CooperBurnett to climb every mountain for ellenor An intrepid team of six from the Tunbridge Wells-based law firm CooperBurnett are set to tackle the Three Peaks Challenge in June in aid of the charity ellenor.
This will see them climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,344m), Scafell Pike in England (978m) and Snowdon in Wales (1,085m) in just 24 hours. “We are hoping that our mission will raise a significant contribution towards our overall goal to donate £10,000
to ellenor this year,” says Katie Hilsdon, Trainee Solicitor at the firm. The team includes not only Katie, but Jon Rowe, Lee Reeves-Perrin, Gareth Warner, Vrin Khera and Lisa Connolly. They will be supported by two drivers, Corporate Partner and ellenor Ambassador, Victoria
Kent manufacturer completes MBO
Kent firm LightGraphix has announced the completion of a Management Buyout led by Robert Buxton, Simon Lyon and Stan Harris for an undisclosed sum.
Former Managing Director Richard Hargreaves will remain as a Non-Executive Director. Funding to support the transaction has been provided by Royal Bank of Scotland’s Corporate Transactions team with an undisclosed term debt package, alongside financial backing provided by Richard Hargreaves. LightGraphix design and manufacture lighting for architectural, marine and display use. The company started in 1979 in Dartford and moved to purpose built premises in Crayford in 2006. Facilities include metalwork machining and presswork, fabrication, powder coating, assembly and an extensive testing area together with design and administration offices and a comprehensive showroom. LightGraphix are Lighting Association Code of Practice accredited. Robert Buxton, Director at LightGraphix said: “The completion of the MBO is a very exciting period for us and we are delighted to be taking control of the business and are looking to expand and introduce new ideas. It is fair to say that without the support of the Corporate Transactions team at the Royal Bank of Scotland this deal would not have happened.”
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ThinkingBUSINESS June - July 2016
Sampson and Lorraine Constable – who will be ferrying the team around in one of the ellenor minibuses. In preparation for the challenge, the team have embarked on a 16-week training programme, which is being led by Jake Gowan from The Gym in Tunbridge Wells. CooperBurnett has supported ellenor for a number of years now – helping to raise vital funds to support the charity’s children’s hospice care team in South West Kent, which offers support and care in the home to families facing terminal illness. The team will leave CooperBurnett’s base in the centre of Tunbridge Wells on Friday 24 June.
Advocacy in Kent is changing
From 1 April 2016 there will be a new way to contact Advocacy services for adults in Kent. The new Kent Advocacy will be able to help: • People with autistic spectrum disorder • People with dementia • Hearing or Sight impaired people • Older people • People with mental and/or physical ill health or disability • People who need support to make a complaint about their NHS treatment • People detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 or subject to recall to hospital • People referred by Social Services under the Care Act to facilitate care and support assessment, planning and review and safeguarding • People referred by Social Services or the NHS to support decision making around changes of accommodation and serious medical treatment Advocacy supports people to explore their choices and options and access information and services. We will help people to
express their views, wishes and concerns so they can be genuinely considered when decisions are being made by others about their lives. Ultimately, advocacy supports people to have their voice heard on issues that are important to them. Kent Advocacy is led by seAp Advocacy, in partnership with Advocacy for All, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services, Assert, CiLK, CROP, RAD and Rethink. All organisations have local roots and many years of experience delivering services in Kent. Together, we are looking forward to offering a clear pathway to advocacy for the people of Kent. For more information and to make a referral: 0300 34 35 714 www.kentadvocacy.org.uk to get in touch: kent@seap.org.uk Text 80800 using keyword ‘SEAP’ PO Box 375, Hastings, TN34 9HU
ABA invests in new fleet to meet air travel demand The Atlantic Bridge Aviation Group (ABA) is to expand its fleet to meet growing demand for air travel services.
The Kent-based company, which has been providing commercial and business aviation services globally for more than 25 years, is investing more than £450,000 in two executive Piper Chieftains.
The aircraft will be used to provide ad-hoc on-demand charter flights to a range of destinations across the UK and Europe. “The Chieftains can seat up to nine passengers, are fast and efficient,
and spacious,” said ABA’s Managing Director, Jonathan Gordon. “They’re perfect for pre-meeting briefings while you travel and for getting into small airfields closer to your destination, which saves on transfer times. They’re a very economical solution to customers travelling in a group either for pleasure or business.” Shares in the new aircraft will also be offered as part of ABA’s fractional ownership Air Share programme, giving businesses and private individuals the chance to enjoy the benefits of owning an aircraft without the capital outlay of full ownership. ABA is based at London Ashford Airport in Lydd, Kent.