Lodders Life - Issue 3

life

Lodders

ISSUE 3

SHARING OUR NEWS, VIEWS & EVENTS AROUND OUR COUNTIES & BEYOND

Best of breed

Family harmony

Our agricultural team goes from strength to strength

How a charter can benefit your family business

Flying high Spitfire Properties are turning dream homes into stunning reality s o l i c i t o rs

life

Lodders

Welcome A very warm welcome to the latest edition of our magazine, Lodders Life.

Editor: Hilary Campton hilary.campton@lodders.co.uk Enquiries: Hollie Coyne hollie.coyne@lodders.co.uk Editorial: Diane Wood, DWPR Hilary Campton, Lodders Solicitors Hollie Coyne, Lodders Solicitors Photography: Dave Tully, www.davetully.co.uk Jess Photography, www.jess-photography.co.uk John James, www.johnjames-photography.com Lodders Solicitors LLP - our offices Stratford upon Avon Number Ten Elm Court, Arden Street, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6PA T: 01789 293259 Henley in Arden 16 High Street, Henley in Arden, Warwickshire B95 5BW T: 01564 792261 Cheltenham 25 Imperial Square, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1QZ T: 01242 228370 www.lodders.co.uk @LoddersLawyers Lodders Life is produced for Lodders by Reach Marketing www.reachmarketing.co.uk All opinions, views and editorial pieces are for entertainment purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.

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We are fortunate to work with many fascinating businesses and business owners, whose attention to detail is a theme that runs throughout the profiles in this issue, from the precision-manufactured products of Birmingham-based Samuel Heath & Sons through to property developer Spitfire’s bespoke homes. We also take a look at Loxleys, one of Stratford upon Avon’s favourite restaurants, and share the story of family-owned equine feed manufacturers, TopSpec.

Family businesses are at the heart of our client base and, on pages 12 and 13, Kim Klahn examines the value of family charters and how they can provide a useful tool for decision-making and governance.

Since the last issue of Lodders Life we have welcomed five new partners to the firm, including Jane Senior, who has joined as head of our Dispute Resolution team. You can read more about Jane in our ‘Spotlight’ feature on page 28.

Despite our fast growth, our commitment to providing excellent legal advice, with a highly personal service remains, reassuringly, the same. Our new people have fitted in seamlessly and none more so than James Spreckley, who takes over from David Lodder as head of our Agriculture and Landed Estates team.

We profile our Agriculture specialists on pages 19 and 20, where Sheldon Bosley also provide a fascinating view on the future of farming.

You can also find our usual round-up of topics in the legal world, including advice on achieving social media balance in the workplace. On a more personal note, we look at how recent government policy is affecting care fee funding, and explain the new ‘family home allowance’. As ever, there is much to be found in the pages of Lodders Life and I do hope you enjoy the read.

Martin Green, Senior Partner

ISSUE 3

Contents 10

17

Features 04 Spitfire Properties New, niche and growing fast

Cover image: The Cricketers family room - Spitfire Properties

08 Loxleys Restaurant and Wine Bar A new incarnation for an old Stratford name

10 Samuel Heath Making bathrooms beautiful since 1820

12 Family business focus Prescriptions for a healthy business

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Regulars 16 Horse sense Food for thought – and horses

18 Expert view The future’s bright for farming

19 Agriculture team focus The ‘best of breed’ grows stronger

20 Our new family law service Your questions answered

22 Care & capacity matters New centre of excellence is a first for Lodders

24 Legal updates Making social media work for your business; the Charity Commission shows its teeth

28 Spotlight on...

Jane Senior, Steve Thomas and Hollie Coyne

30 Social pages Living the Lodders life - we’ve been just as busy out of the office

34 People news 35 Dates for the diary

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CASE STUDY

Flying high Spitfire Properties - the ultimate in top-flight new homes

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lthough only six years old, Spitfire Properties has established a strong reputation as a niche housebuilder, creating upmarket, individual and class-leading developments in premium locations.

Passionate about design, sustainability and quality construction, Spitfire is hailed as a forward thinking, modern property developer, with a reputation for creative flair and high standards of customer service.

Lodders’ Nick East, partner and head of the Real Estate department, has worked with Spitfire from the start, providing advice on site acquisitions and property developments, as well as planning and onward property sales.

Spitfire’s growth has been remarkable. From starting life in 2010 with just two staff, the business has grown to become a £multi-million company with a highly skilled team.

Nick East, Lodders

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CASE STUDY Bespoke housebuilder The Spitfire brand is founded on a bespoke approach to the housebuilding process, and is synonymous with the quality, beautifully designed homes that give Spitfire a distinct offering in a competitive marketplace.

Headquartered in Coleshill, Warwickshire, Spitfire is funded by partner IM Properties, one of the UK’s largest privately owned property companies. Well established amongst the discerning market in central England, Spitfire this year expanded operations with a new office in Berkshire, from where it services growing interest in its premium sites in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Hertfordshire.

Led by managing director David Jervis, the Spitfire team includes proactive and highly skilled directors who bring extensive experience in the residential property industry.

This hand-picked team has an exceptional depth of expertise and includes individuals who have previously worked at the very top of residential development organisations. Across its UK locations, the company has 35 office staff and 13 site staff.

In the last year alone, we have built eighty homes, and plans for the business’ future are ambitious. Spitfire is growing rapidly, with turnover expected to double to £50 million this year.

David Jervis, MD of Spitfire

Exemplary design With its focus on creating stylish 4 and 5 bedroom homes, which have an average price tag of £620,000 and reflect homeowners’ design aspirations and practical needs, Spitfire is committed to the very best in design, as David explains: “Spitfire is passionate about creating homes with character, which are carefully crafted to meet the needs of contemporary homeowners, balancing practicality with timeless design that responds to and blends with surroundings.

“Within the design aesthetic of a scheme, each property is considered on its own merits, with building materials, layouts and frontages all chosen to ensure each is somewhere people are proud to call home and which will stand the test of time.

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“Spitfire excels at creating architectural harmony between the old and the new, the classic and the contemporary, whether it’s a modern interpretation of the local Victorian architecture as seen at The Fairways in Little Aston, Sutton Coldfield, or a stylish mix of refurbished barn style properties alongside new builds using traditional materials and boasting rustic character, such as the Hall Farm Estate in Warwickshire.”

Such attention to detail isn’t confined to the exterior of properties, but carried through to every home’s outstanding interior.

“We work with highly respected interior designers and top-level brands,” says David, “so that all Spitfire homes ensure an individual, distinctive sleek and contemporary feel. The majority are designed with open-plan kitchen and family areas, creating spaces where families can spend time together. Many have bi-fold doors and extensive glazing that maximise natural light and extend the living space, blurring the boundary between indoors and out.”

Respecting the surroundings Spitfire prioritises creating homes that blend sympathetically with their surroundings, and that conserve any local architectural heritage: “Locally sourced materials are used wherever possible to reinforce the local character of the homes, whilst supporting local craftsmen and suppliers,” says David.

Spitfire Properties

Sustainability Protecting the environment and reducing homeowners’ energy bills are also important, with green and sustainable features evident in developments.

Homes exceed government requirements for sustainability, have A-rated appliances, and energy efficient thermostatically controlled gas central heating systems, whilst superior insulation maximises heat retention and energy efficiency.

“We work with environmentally conscious business partners,” adds David. “Wherever possible, materials are reused or if not recycled, reducing the carbon footprint associated with the manufacture and transport of new materials.”

Nick East adds: “Spitfire Properties and its unique developments at premier locations are upmarket and highly individual. Each home is superior in quality, design and build, making them ideal for the most discerning of homeowners.

“The Spitfire team is ambitious, with a clear vision of how to realise its exceptionally high standards of quality, customer service and energy efficient design, supported by the resource and financial muscle of IM Properties.”

Corporate highlights 91

Homes completed to date

75

Homes in 2015

143

Homes in 2016

92%

Homes sold off plan

296

Units with planning

618

Plots under control

£620,000 £185m

Average selling price in 2015 Value of current development programme

154%

Turnover increase year on year 2011-2015

200%

Turnover increase year on year 2014-2015

Spitfire finished 2015 on a high, with recognition in a number of Awards, including winning the What House Award (Silver for Best Small Housebuilder) and the Insider Midlands Award for the Best Residential Developer.

Visit: www.spitfirepg.co.uk Issue 3

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CASE STUDY

Our aim is simple – to give guests a quality experience and great value for money.

John Lea, Owner of Loxleys

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Visions & dreams Once a much-loved clothes shop in the heart of Stratford upon Avon, Loxleys Restaurant and Wine Bar is today a top venue in the town.

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ore than 12 years ago, its owner John Lea identified the Loxleys site as a potentially great location for a restaurant and wine bar. In December 2012, his vision became reality when he opened the doors of Loxleys Restaurant & Wine Bar. John explains its journey.

“When visiting my weekend retreat in Stratford a few years ago, I came across Loxleys Clothes Shop and thought what a great place it would be for a restaurant or wine bar.

“Its owner Kay Ball was what I would describe as a true ‘lady’, always very smartly dressed. Initially, I wrote her a letter, introducing myself, explaining my company had a business in Cheshire, and that I wished to open a business in Stratford. I asked Kay if she could consider us if she should ever decide to retire or sell the property.

We received a reply and agreed to keep in touch.

“Five years later, I suggested Kay and I meet, and we did so over coffee at a local hotel. The meeting was enjoyable, and Kay simply said ‘When I retire – and I am only in my mid 80s - I will be in touch’.

“We did keep in touch, and five years later, Kay called me to say ‘I think it’s time I should retire as I am 88, and have completed 52 years at Loxleys’. We met to agree terms, shook hands, and the deal was done.

“Being from outside Stratford, I made enquiries into which firm of solicitors I should use, and the name Lodders kept coming back to me. I made contact with Lodders’ real estate team and there began a long association with the firm – I’ve used Lodders for licensing matters, personal family advice and other property purchase transactions. I have experienced advice from several of Lodders’ teams, indeed sometimes involving several departments at the same time, but all within one building, which has proved extremely useful.

What’s in a name?

“As time went by, I discovered the name Loxleys had been within Stratford even before Kay ran her clothes shop, being reliably informed that two sisters from Loxley ran it as a wool shop – so I have always assumed this is where the name came from. I thought it important to retain this history, so we decided to keep the Loxleys name for its next incarnation.

“With a blank sheet of paper, the creation of Loxleys Restaurant & Wine Bar began, and officially opened in December 2012. Our Head Chef was instrumental in the kitchen design, and our key staff are still with us over three years later. It’s been a pleasure for me to have shared the journey so far with them all.

Quality, good service and value “Loxleys produces fantastic creative dishes. Our menu combines ideas from our chefs, management team, and a little input from me too. Our clientele often ask if our other businesses are restaurants, and are quite surprised when I explain that before Loxleys, I had no experience of running a restaurant, only as a paying guest. However I firmly believe that every business is similar, regardless of its industry or products, as we all want the same: quality, good service and value.

“Loxleys is committed to keeping the menu fresh and seasonal. We have three changes each year, together with set price two and three course menus, specials, and themed evenings. Tuesday is ‘steak night’ and Wednesday ‘fish night’, which offer great dishes alongside our à la carte menu.

Provenance “All ingredients are sourced as locally as possible, with each dish prepared and cooked from fresh, to order.

“Our aim is simple – to give guests a quality experience and great value for money. We are not big on chasing rosettes or stars – we let our reviews speak for themselves.

If our guests leave happy, they will return and recommend us.”

Visit: www.loxleysrestaurant.co.uk

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CASE STUDY

Our provenance and integrity are at the company’s heart David Pick, Managing Director of Samuel Heath

A premium manufacturer in the heart of the Midlands Established in 1820, Samuel Heath is a British manufacturer internationally renowned for innovation and quality.

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he company has an extensive range of beautifully designed and manufactured traditional, classical and contemporary collections of bathroom taps, showers and accessories, window and door fittings.

What is as important today as when the company first began, is the craftsmanship and attention to detail evident in each product.

“Our provenance and integrity are at the company’s heart,” says David Pick, Samuel Heath’s managing director.

Everything is designed and manufactured at our 150,000 square foot Birmingham factory in the heart of the Midlands, ensuring total control over manufacturing, quality and environmental responsibility.

History in the making Samuel Heath started life as a traditional brass founder, producing the finest pieces of solid brassware with, over the years, products from bedsteads to high quality giftware and fireside accessories.

Nowadays, it is known for its exceptional bathroom accessories, taps, showers and architectural fittings that have earned it a worldwide reputation for stylish design, quality and performance.

Each piece is meticulously formed from the purest Northern European solid brass. Its experienced craftsmen polish every product by hand to create a flawless finish, before a high quality electroplating process is applied to give a long lasting finish.

Whilst proud of its heritage, Samuel Heath is also a pioneer of new developments in bathroom and architectural hardware design. Investment in state of the art technology and the brightest design talent is coupled with time-honoured British craftsmanship, making the company a trusted, stimulating brand for interior designers, architects and homeowners worldwide.

“Each component goes through multiple stages of hand polishing by our skilled craftsmen. It takes many years to fully train a Samuel Heath polisher, but investment in people and quality is vital.”

Responsibility & sustainability “Making high quality and stylish products is not just about the end result, but the process in which products are made,” says David. “We work hard to minimise the impact of our manufacturing and ensure the highest levels of environmental accountability.

“We use only the finest quality materials sourced from the UK wherever possible. Energy consumption and waste production are monitored carefully within very strict environmental controls, and a comprehensive water recycling and brass reprocessing programme ensures efficiency and environmental responsibility.”

Flagship manufacturer Lodders’ senior partner Martin Green is a non-executive member of the Samuel Heath Board. He says:

Samuel Heath is one of Birmingham’s flagship manufacturers, and its range epitomises elegance and quality. It is fascinating to gain an insight into the end-to-end supply process, from the company’s superior design and production processes, to their stunning product installations.

Martin Green, Lodders’ senior partner and non-exec director of Samuel Heath

Visit: www.samuel-heath.co.uk

Craftsmanship “Craftsmanship remains central to the Samuel Heath ethos,” says David.

In the same way as its products span the traditional and contemporary, so too do its manufacturing techniques and facilities – whilst the building’s listed exterior retains its 1850 architecture, inside production blends traditional techniques with the very latest in high tech processes and machinery, as David explains: “It is this blend of tried and tested methods together with contemporary manufacturing equipment and processes that works for us, and we invest significantly in in-house training for our workforce, alongside a successful apprenticeship scheme, and recruitment of the next generation of CAD designers and engineers.

“We maintain manufacturing excellence through dedicated attention to detail, none more so than hand polishing.

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Family business focus

Family charters Lodders’ Kim Klahn explains how a family charter can help maintain the balance between family harmony and the best interests of the business.

F

amily businesses bring many positives to those who own them, run them and work within them.

A ‘family feel’ and non-corporate approach are two benefits cited by many people who choose the family business route. But, without good governance and a shared sense of purpose, those positive aspects can become a little more challenging for both family and non-family members.

Family charters are one way in which many successful family businesses articulate and maintain a consistent approach and clear sense of purpose throughout the generations.

By documenting the shared vision and values of the family and its approach to owning and running the family business, a family charter will support governance and create an environment that supports consistency, effective decision-making and longevity.

The most enduring family charters are created in consultation with family members and help to establish and maintain the balance between the best interests of the business and the wellbeing of the family.

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What should we include in our family charter?

In essence, a family charter is a tool to help the family plan for the future of the business, to enable you to deal with problems and opportunities, to provide a framework for decision-making, and to communicate your values and vision. Whilst every family business is different and there is no set approach to what should be included, we would recommend discussing and debating the following points: • Your ‘code of conduct’ as a family, both as owners and employees • Your family values • Rules as to how family members will be employed, remunerated and appraised • Guidelines for leadership and management succession • Guidelines and procedures for the appointment and role of family directors • Rules regarding who can hold director positions and the role of the Board • Methods of educating and involving future generations in the business • The rights and position within the business of in-laws

How should we create one for our family business?

Family charters are one way in which many successful family businesses articulate and maintain a consistent approach

Take time as a family to debate and draft the charter. Bring in a neutral third party if it will help – someone from your legal team, a trusted business friend or other adviser. Their job will be to ensure all views are heard and a consensus reached.

We often find that the time spent discussing and creating the charter can be as valuable as the document that emerges at the end of the process.

As with many things of a contractual nature, the best time to establish your family charter is during a period of harmony. You may think you will never need to deal with a family fall-out but the future is a tricky beast to predict.

And, like all good business planning tools, you should treat your family charter as a living document that will benefit from regular review and consideration.

Contact Kim Klahn on 01789 206154 or at kim.klahn@lodders.co.uk

• How you will deal with any future family disagreements • The family’s approach to charitable activities Issue 3

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Family business focus

Just what the doctor ordered Richard Guillimont Badham opened his first shop at 102 Whaddon Road, Cheltenham, in October 1940, marking the beginning of a family business pharmacy enterprise that today is a trusted name at the heart of its local communities.

Badham has experienced sustained growth both by acquisition and opening new pharmacies, and ensured continuity by successfully handing on the succession baton to the next generation. I know Badham Pharmacies well, and it is impressive that as an independent, it continues to hold its own with the large pharmacy chains.

Paul Mourton, Lodders

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ow managed by its founder’s son Peter, his wife Lyn and their son Charles, award-winning and independent Badham Pharmacy has 120 staff and sixteen branches in key locations across Gloucestershire and Avon.

It was the first company in Gloucestershire to offer a free prescription collection and delivery service, and provides a full range of NHS pharmacy services.

2015 was significant for Badham, as it’s celebrated its 75th anniversary, and been crowned the Family Business of the Year in the Gloucestershire Business Awards.

On winning the award, Peter Badham said: “The company prides itself on its commitment to outstanding customer service and staff development, and I am delighted to receive this momentous award in this significant year for our company.”

Lodders sponsored the Family Business category in this year’s Awards as part of its commitment to Gloucestershire’s business community and particularly its family businesses, as Paul Mourton explains:

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“Lodders was founded almost 230 years ago, and has always worked with family and privately owned businesses, and being involved in the Awards has been fascinating and enjoyable.

“Badham Pharmacy is at the heart of its communities, with service excellence and philanthropy amongst its values and ethos, making it a shining example of a family business. It is a very worthy winner of the award.”

Badham marked its 75th anniversary with the reopening of it’s first-ever branch in Cheltenham by the town’s MP Alex Chalk and Mrs Jean Badham, who unveiled a celebratory plaque in commemoration of the business’ founder Richard Guillimont Badham.

“We were delighted that Alex Chalk was able to celebrate this achievement with us and some of our customers, 75 years of exceptional service is a milestone to be celebrated”, added Peter Badham.

Visit: www.badhampharmacy.co.uk Mrs Jean Badham sadly passed away on Saturday 16th January 2016 following a short illness. She will be sadly missed by all family and Badham staff.

Family investment companies Retaining control and minimising tax liabilities: Eamonn Daly explains why a family investment company can be an attractive option for successful business owners and other wealthy individuals.

Having spent years building a business and then taking the opportunity to reap the results of all the hard work by selling up, ex-business owners often wish to share the rewards with younger generations whilst protecting and maintaining control over the family wealth.

Family investment companies (FICs) are an option for them, and indeed any wealthy individuals, to make substantial gifts without inheritance tax (IHT) being immediately payable. The company founder(s) set up and subscribe for shares in their own personal FIC with cash or other assets. The value to be passed on is then extracted in the shape of shares in the FIC which are gifted to the family. There will be no IHT liability at all, so long as the founder survives for at least seven years.

Often investments will be held in the FIC and there is no tax payable on UK, and most offshore, company dividends received in it. Other income and gains will be taxed at the corporation tax rate (currently 20% and due to fall to 18% from 2020). This compares very favourably with the additional income tax rate of 45% applicable to trusts and individuals.

The company articles of association for the FIC need to be drafted carefully to ensure that significant value is transferred with the gifts and that they do not constitute a gift with a ‘reservation of benefit’, in which case the value of the shares gifted could still be treated as part of the founder’s estate – and therefore liable to IHT. A note of caution: setting up a FIC can be expensive and so it is something best considered for asset transfers with a value of at least £1 million. At lower levels, trusts are typically the best tool for mitigating inheritance tax liabilities, whilst allowing the donor to maintain control over the assets.

Contact Eamonn Daly on 01789 206142 or at eamonn.daly@lodders.co.uk

Another key benefit of a FIC is that the founder(s) can maintain a significant element of control by retaining voting shares. For example investment decisions and dividend payments can be determined by the founder, although the ownership and value of the non-voting shares is out of their estate and in the hands of the other shareholders.

FICs can also provide some measure of asset protection in the event of bankruptcy or divorce of the family shareholders.

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Horse sense

TopSpec – created without compromise Nicola and Philip Tyler, the owners of TopSpec, met at Reading University on their first day in the Bursars office. Unbeknown to them this was the start of a forty year journey which has culminated in the most successful equine nutrition business in the UK. They also got married!

Above left: Katy Mickle (their daughter) weighing one of Nicola Wilson’s horses fed on TopSpec. Nicola was a silver medallist at the London Olympics.

A

fter graduation, having gained degrees in animal physiology and biochemistry, their careers took off in different directions. Nicola worked in nutrition for many large international companies like ICI and Philip followed a career in animal genetics working for Genus the world leading cattle and pig breeding company.

When they bought a pony for their daughter which had a history of laminitis, a painful foot problem common in equines, Nicola developed the first high biotin hoof supplement to help alleviate the problem. The new TopSpec supplement was very effective and requests from vets and farriers followed.

In early 2000 Nicola and Philip decided to give up the ‘day jobs’ and launch TopSpec as a national brand. At the same time they produced several new innovations including what are called feed balancers for which the company is now famous.

As with all new businesses it was important to structure the new company with the long term view in mind and Mark Lewis, now a partner at Lodders, helped them with the establishment of the legal framework. Mark has been intimately involved in the evolution of TopSpec as the company has expanded and gives the business ongoing advice on a range of matters. TopSpec have also used the services of a top class accountant, Kit Mellalieu from Lacy Watson who works in tandem with Mark to provide all the professional advice they need to keep the business growing whilst meeting all the regulatory requirements.

The company has won the prestigious industry award for ‘excellence in nutritional advice and customer service’ for eight of the last nine years. They employ 25 staff including specialist nutritionists and vets to provide the expert advice that international riders need when competing on the world stage.

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The team at TopSpec also work closely with equine veterinary practices on problem cases of a whole range of equine problems. A new innovative product developed at the R&D unit called TopSpec UlsaKind to feed to horses with gastric ulcers has been a great success recently and is being used by many of the top racehorse trainers.

Having known Nicola and Philip professionally before they launched TopSpec it was a pleasure to be instructed on the legal side and I am thrilled that the venture has become the success that it is today. I am full of admiration for them both.

Mark Lewis, Lodders As Nicola and Philip head towards retirement a full succession plan has been put in place and a team of young people has been developed, headed up by their daughter Katy, who also has a degree in Equine Nutrition. Katy has also evolved a whole new social media side to the company which is proving an excellent way to build new business and keep in touch with the large customer base on a regular basis.

The company’s strap line is ‘Created without Compromise by experienced equine nutritionists’ and its philosophy is to produce the highest quality equine feeds backed-up with the best customer care in the industry. It seems to be working!

Visit: www.topspec.com

Stables and ménages – it’s all in the planning Our planning law expert Victoria Longmore gives her top tips to securing planning permission from your local authority if you’re looking to build a stable, stable block or ménage.

Enter into early dialogue with the local planning authority • Plan well in advance. The planning application process may take longer than you think. The statutory deadline for determining an application is 8 weeks (13 weeks for major developments).

• Speak with any neighbours that may be affected by the proposals, as early engagement may prevent objections. In your final application, demonstrate where concessions have been made to accommodate their concerns.

• Be flexible with your design and location. Making amendments may be the difference between obtaining consent and having an application refused.

• Use professionals such as architects and planning consultants to assist with the application.

• Be aware of the costs – planning application fees are based on the size of the floorspace of a structure.

• Emphasise the benefits of your proposal – eg job creation for the local community, if and how it is supporting the local economy or fulfilling a local need, and any local businesses to be used when it is being built and once completed.

Remember building regulations • Building regulations’ approval may also be required.

Whilst a small, private stable may not require consent, stables used for a business or riding school will.

• The regulations ensure new buildings meet standards for health and safety, welfare, convenience and sustainability, so have these in mind.

• Check with local building regulations department if these will apply to your plans.

Contact Victoria Longmore on 01789 206119 or at victoria.longmore@lodders.co.uk Issue 3

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Expert view

The future for farming (good news) James Walton is a partner at Sheldon Bosley and specialises in land agency and agriculture, estate management, planning and valuation.

James has a family farming business based in South Warwickshire, where his strong personal interest in conservation is exemplified by the Stewardship Scheme which is in place on the farm, promoting wildlife habitat and biodiversity. He also won the 2015 First Pro Award for Coventry & Warwickshire Property Professional of the Year.

G

iven current commodity prices, a collapse in the dairy industry, and poor returns through the principal beef, sheep and pig livestock sectors, it may seem surprising to suggest that prospects for farming look promising.

There have been reasonably good harvests around the world, to the extent that basic commodities are over supplied and the laws of supply and demand apply to see a falling price. Nevertheless the same laws can only help agriculture in the future. There are a number of factors which will give rise to either an increasing demand, or a problem supply including: • Population is expected to increase from 7.3 billion people to 9 billion by 2050 and 11 billion by 2100.

• More people are adopting a western diet, generally including pig and poultry meat. These animals are inefficient in that they convert grain to meat, with poor conversion rate.

• In various parts of the world there are wars, problems with infrastructure and corruption, all of which limit or have the potential to limit food production.

• Rainforest clearance continues at a pace which on the basis of recent experience not only gives rise to climate control problems but soil erosion, to the extent that much of the former forest is now unproductive.

• Climate change itself.

• Increase in plant pest and disease resistance and with more limited access to chemicals is going to put pressure on our ability to increase productivity.

• Other uses of land such as for housing or infrastructure projects, solar farms and AD plants, all reduce the area of land capable of producing food.

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All of these issues reduce the chances of food supply being able to keep pace with demand. We will need to produce as much food in the next 50 years as we have produced in the last 10,000 years. Whilst science may produce some of the answers, with no alternative other than to adopt GM technology, but with advances in other plant and animal breeding too, some increase in yield and productivity can be anticipated. However, food will in all likelihood become in short supply and this should give rise to a higher price, although still with significant crests and troughs in the supply curve, so affecting price. The hope is that the crests will be higher and the troughs less deep.

For arable commodities in particular, there is a further influencing factor which governs the price paid. Given that these commodities are traded on a world market, and that we generally produce more in this country than we consume, the price taken is generally the price that we can find for our exports.

For those of us farming in the Midlands the value is proportionally less due to the cost of transporting this product to the port. There is a further negative effect with a strong pound against other currencies, particularly the euro. With a change in climate, the prospect of being able to grow economically some of the types of food that we currently import will increase.

One might expect then the dynamic of the export effect to reverse to the benefit of farmers in the Midlands.

Visit: www.sheldonbosley.co.uk Contact James on 01789 292310 or at jwalton@sheldonbosley.co.uk

Agriculture team focus

Above left: Lodders’ Agriculture team - James Spreckley, Jane Senior, David Lodder, Caroline Nemecek and Robin Beckley Above right: James Spreckley, Caroline Nemecek and Robin Beckley

Lodders’ agriculture team goes from strength to strength W

ith new partners and a new head of department, Lodders’ long-established team of agricultural lawyers remains very much ‘best of breed’.

Under David Lodder’s guidance, the Agricultural and Landed Estates team has become one of the largest and most experienced in the Midlands region, advising farmers, landowners and rural businesses.

As many readers will be aware, David stepped down from the partnership in July 2015, remaining with Lodders as a consultant. In December we were delighted to announce that James Spreckley is taking over from David as the new head of the agriculture team.

James joined Lodders in July from SGH Martineau and works alongside David and other partners in the team including Caroline Nemecek, Robin Beckley, Jane Senior, and Rod Bird, Lodders’ managing partner.

Commenting on his new role, James said: “David has led the team very successfully for many years, establishing it as the go-to place for specialist, informed and excellent legal advice for individuals and enterprises in the agricultural and landed estate sectors.

“I feel both excited and honoured to lead the team into its next chapter. From my own experiences on the family farm, I am more than aware of the challenges facing the rural community and the need to provide timely and pragmatic legal advice. I am particularly looking forward to working with Caroline and Robin who are both talented agricultural law specialists.”

Caroline Nemecek was promoted to partner in July 2015, and Jane Senior joined in the same month, bringing specialist expertise in resolving agricultural disputes.

Above: James Spreckley and David Lodder

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Family law

Lodders’ family law specialists answer your questions Through our recent acquisition of Jordans Solicitors, we can now offer the full range of relationship and family litigation services. In this brand new feature for Lodders Life our experienced family law solicitors answer questions on child custody matters and pension sharing on divorce.

Q

My husband’s pension will give him a lot more than I will get from mine.

What can I do about it?

I am getting divorced and my husband has a Final Salary Scheme pension with a fund value of approximately £150,000.

I have been saving into a private pension for years and years and my fund value is around £160,000.

My solicitor says that these pensions cancel each other out, but I do not accept this because it looks to me as though my husband’s pension is going to give him far more generous benefits than mine.

What can I do about this?

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Lodders Life

A

Final Salary Scheme pensions can often have a fund value that seems low compared to pensions that can be bought ‘off the shelf’. In all probability, if you were to attempt to purchase a pension with identical benefits to those shown by your husband’s pension, you would have to pay considerably more than the £160,000 that your pension fund is worth.

The way round this is to insist upon a pensionsharing report by a specialist in pensions, with a view to establishing what might be the actual commercial value of your husband’s pension.

Obviously, if your husband’s pension will generate an income that it is significantly higher than your own, then it is logical to assume that your husband’s pension is, in fact, more valuable than your own. Any competent family law solicitor will be able to get in touch with a pension-sharing specialist who can give you an estimate of the actual commercial value of your husband’s pension fund, and your financial settlement can be made in the light of that assessment.

Q

I don’t want to stop being primary carer to my children but, if my wife divorces me, will I have a choice?

I am a full-time parent for our two children aged four and seven.

I thoroughly enjoy caring for the children and was happy to stay at home and look after them while my wife went out to work. We took the decision to put her career first as, before we had our first child, her career prospects were considerably better than mine.

However, she has now begun having an affair with a colleague at work and wants to divorce me.

She is saying she wants to become the children’s primary carer and will pay for a Nanny while I, she tells me, should find a job.

I am really devastated by this. I have cared for the children for many years and my daughter since she was born. I really do not want to give up my role as primary carer; however I am frightened that if my wife divorces me I will have no choice. Is this correct?

Barbara Jordan is a highly respected and experienced divorce and family lawyer. She specialises in the financial issues arising out of divorce and cohabitation disputes and understands the difficulties that can arise. Barbara works hard to support her clients through these distressing times.

Contact Barbara on 01242 229094 or barbara.jordan@lodders.co.uk

A

The residence of your children will depend on the Court’s view of what is best for them. Just because your wife is the children’s mother does not enable her to insist that they should live with her. It is probable that, for the sake of continuity and the children’s security, you will considered to be the appropriate parent to continue to care for them and live with them, whilst contact with their mother is arranged.

In your case, there is no reason why you should not apply to the Divorce Courts for maintenance and capital to re-house yourself and the children in the same way as a full-time mother would apply for this help, had her husband left her. The law is certainly not gender specific or discriminatory and, if your wife is earning a significant income and, between you, you have the required capital, there is no reason why you should not have the bulk of the capital and maintenance from your wife, while she continues to work. In all probability she can take a significant mortgage which will help to re-house her in a home sufficiently large to enable her to have the children for staying contact.

Erin Sawyer assists clients with the full range of family law matters. Her corporate and commercial background ensures she is well placed to advise on divorces that involve a business element, such as a partnership or family-owned companies.

Contact Erin on 01242 229091 or erin.sawyer@lodders.co.uk

Lodders’ experienced family law specialists will fight proportionately but with great focus and determination on your behalf, working towards obtaining the best possible outcome, whatever the circumstances.

Issue 3

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Care & capacity matters

The firm is committed to supporting the growing need for specialist care and capacity help and advice

Lodders launches a new centre of excellence

Lodders’ new Care & Capacity hub and centre of excellence in Henley in Arden centralises the firm’s specialist team and is the UK’s only stand-alone centre of its type.

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ed by Lodders’ partner Sofia Tayton, the team includes solicitors Helen Rowett and Lauren Watson, and Care & Capacity Manager John Hunter and provides dedicated advice, support and help to elderly and vulnerable clients, their families and carers.

“We are dedicated to addressing and easing the needs and concerns of the most vulnerable and those who care for them,” explains Sofia, who holds the STEP Advanced Certificate in Advising Vulnerable Clients, and is a full accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE).

“Through our Care & Capacity hub we can help with long term care and funding options for care home fees, making funding applications and challenging care funding decisions, looking after finances of the vulnerable or infirm needing extra support, and explaining the effect of the Care Act.”

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Lodders Life

The team can assist with Powers of Attorney, applications to the Court of Protection for the appointment of Deputies, statutory wills or gifts, attendance allowance, third party funding top-ups, and hospital discharges.

Lodders’ Martin Green, adds: “The firm is committed to supporting the growing need for specialist care and capacity help and advice, and our centralised facility is an important step towards delivering this. Access to our established and excellent expertise for tailored support is now even easier.”

Care Fees: do you know how much you would have to pay?

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ap back to April 2015 and it seemed that there was going to be a straightforward answer, with the government’s much vaunted ‘care fee cap’ slated for introduction in April of this year (2016) as part of The Care Act 2014.

The Conservatives put a pledge at the heart of their election manifesto to introduce a £72,000 cap on how much people will have to pay for their care before the state steps in. However, ministers announced in July last year that they are delaying the introduction of the cap for four years amid concerns that it will cost £6 billion over the next five years.

Currently, if you need care, your local authority will firstly do a care needs assessment to identify what help you need. Then they will carry out a means test to work out how much you have to pay. If you have assets of more than £23,250, you will need to pay the full cost of your care – subject to some exemptions.

Aside from the postponing of the care cap, The Care Act has produced a very welcome overhaul of the existing system of adult social care laws and guidance, with a number of new duties and responsibilities that apply to how local authorities provide social care: • Individual wellbeing must be the overarching principle within all local authority activities.

• New national eligibility criterion must be followed for anyone requesting services and their carers, leading to rights to services for both.

• Introduction of a system of personal budgets to enable the individual to build a care package to suit their individual needs.

• A new ‘universal’ duty to provide information and advice.

The Care Act is moving us in the right direction but, as ministers wrestle with the funding issues, the question of how much we will each have to pay towards any future care costs remains in flux.

Contact Sofia Tayton on 01564 763848 or at sofia.tayton@lodders.co.uk

Lasting powers of attorney explained

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lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document which allows you to appoint someone that you trust as your ‘attorney’ to make decisions on your behalf during your lifetime. Your attorney can then act on your behalf when you no longer wish to do so.

More importantly, they can act if you lack the mental capacity to make decisions yourself.

There are two types of LPA. The property and financial affairs LPA allows your attorney to manage your finances for you. This can be crucial to make sure your bills are paid or your business continues to function if you are seriously injured.

The second is a health and welfare LPA, which allows your attorney to make health care and welfare decisions on your behalf. Such decisions can include what care and medical treatment you receive and where you live. You also have the option to allow your attorney to give or refuse consent to life sustaining treatment on your behalf.

This LPA, unlike the property and financial affairs LPA, can only be used if you lack mental capacity to make the decision in question yourself.

Without an LPA in place, decisions about your welfare may be taken by a distant family member, or the local authority or official solicitor.

If you lost the ability to look after your financial affairs and you didn’t have an LPA, then an application to the Court of Protection would be required, and the court would appoint someone suitable to look after your affairs (a ‘deputy’).

This can be a time consuming, expensive and stressful process for both you and your loved ones.

We recommend that you register the LPA while you have mental capacity to do so. Whilst it is tempting to leave setting up an LPA until you need one, the best time to do it is when you are fit and well and able to make your own decisions.

Contact Lauren Watson on 01564 796 880 or at lauren.watson@lodders.co.uk Issue 3

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Legal updates

The importance of an effective social media policy L

odders’ head of employment, Nick Rowe, looks at how to achieve social media balance in the workplace.

The growth of social media is creating both issues and opportunities for companies. For those embracing social media as a business tool, it is a powerful force, but take a half-hearted approach and it can damage reputations and brands.

Comments made by employees on social media can leave employers vicariously liable for discrimination claims on the basis of the actions of their employees.

Equally, employers can suffer significant reputational damage if clients and customers see comments made by employees that they find distasteful or offensive.

In 2006, the Trades Union Congress described Facebook’s then 3.5 million users as ‘HR accidents waiting to happen’. Now, there are more than 20 million Facebook users in the UK alone, and employees regularly blog, tweet and access LinkedIn, blurring the distinction between work and personal lives.

It is crucial for businesses to have robust social media policies that educate employees, and provide an effective framework for managing them and the associated risks.

Advice for employers First and foremost, don’t ignore it! Simply blocking social media platforms in the workplace is futile, and doesn’t solve the issue of ‘out of office’ activities.

It is also likely to be unpopular and could lead to the loss of commercial opportunities.

Don’t hamper employees, but educate them, ensuring they are aware of the commercial risks to your organisation – their employer – of everything they say on all social media platforms.

Set parameters on when and how long employees can access social media during work.

Create a code of conduct for company and corporate social media platforms and their use.

Ensure staff members know who has responsibility and the processes around content, and reinforce that anything they post is on a public forum and impacts on the business.

Enable staff by providing an efficient and speedy sign-off process on content creation and help them to connect with existing and potential customers in a positive, professional, and purposeful way. And make sure they know what to do if a problem should arise.

Proactively share the policy with employees, and train your managers in its consistent monitoring and implementation.

A policy will help deal with any issues arising, and can result in the reward - and risk -of social media use being managed effectively. It should clearly set out standards of behaviour and types of posts and communications which are unacceptable, and make clear that this applies to personal postings, regardless of whether the communication is made during work hours or not.

Ensure employees understand the consequences of the policy being ignored, and insist on ‘disclaimers and caveats’ on employees’ personal accounts.

Contact Nick Rowe on 01242 229096 or at nick.rowe@lodders.co.uk

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Lodders Life

Tax relief for business owners: the best intentions W

hilst most business owners have an idea of what they would ultimately like to do with the business – ensure it is safely in the hands of the next generation, sell to a third party, or simply to quietly wind it down – finding time to formalise these intentions or ‘exit plans’ can be difficult.

It is however time well spent, as there are considerable tax implications of leaving things to chance.

When making future plans for your business there are two key tax reliefs to consider: entrepreneurs’ relief and business property relief.

Entrepreneurs’ relief is relevant when a business or its assets are sold. It reduces liability to capital gains tax from 28% to just 10%, within a lifetime limit of £10 million per individual.

Business property relief (BPR) comes into play when the business or its assets are either transferred within a lifetime or retained until death. BPR will wholly relieve the value of the assets from inheritance tax. Business owners can also ensure that their wills include provisions to crystallise BPR on death and optimise the position for the future, allowing for whether the business is likely to cease trading or continue with the next generation.

The qualifying rules for entrepreneurs’ relief and business property relief are different and it isn’t always possible to achieve one without prejudicing the other.

This makes it essential to consider your intentions for the business as early as possible – and well before any disposal - to ensure you have the best structure for both the business and the ownership of the assets within it.

Contact Eamonn Daly on 01789 206142 or at eamonn.daly@lodders.co.uk

The Charity Commission shows its teeth

T

he Charity Commission is showing its teeth in the face of a storm of publicity in relation to fundraising by charities.

The Etherington review has recommended a new self-regulatory body which will be independent and funded by large fundraising charities, with standards to be set by the independent self-regulator rather than by the fundraisers themselves. In addition there will be a fundraising preference service which enables people to ‘reset’ a their charity marketing preferences.

The charities involved are to agree an implementation plan with the key appointments of chair and interim CEO to lead the implementation and there is to be a 6-9 months’ timetable. This whole area is linked to the issue of data protection and whether or not individuals have given their consent to being contacted and there will undoubtedly be further scrutiny of this area.

The Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Bill is currently going through Parliament in an effort to improve the performance of the Charity Commission in identifying and dealing with abuse in charities following adverse reports from the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee.

The bill will provide for the issue of official warnings by the Commission to both trustees who have been engaged in misconduct or mismanagement and charities where misconduct or mismanagement has been committed.

This should fill a crucial gap in the Charity Commission’s armoury, as it will introduce a more reasonable and proportionate way of dealing with more ‘minor misdemeanours’ such as the late submission of accounts.

For more serious offences the Charity Commission will have the power to suspend, plus automatic or discretionary disqualification.

The spotlight appears to be firmly on charitable trustees for the foreseeable future.

Contact Mark Lewis on 01789 206135 or at mark.lewis@lodders.co.ukk Issue 3

25

Legal updates

Break clauses and rent refunds: it’s all about the express terms of the lease

M

arks & Spencer’s recent defeat in the Supreme Court brought some much-needed clarity for commercial landlords and tenants. Lodders’ real estate partner Paul Mourton takes a look at this high profile case - and the importance of negotiating favourable lease terms.

Marks & Spencer kept the legal headline writers busy in early December, when the retailer’s long-running battle to secure a refund of an advance rent payment ended in defeat at the Supreme Court.

The case began back in 2011 when M&S exercised a break clause on one of its leases, giving six months’ notice on a four-floor office space in London. The lease officially ended on 24 January 2012.

M&S then sought to recover from the landlord the rent, service charge, insurance and car parking charges it had paid in advance for the period from 25 December 2011 to 24 March 2012. There was nothing in the lease to make provision for such a refund and the landlord refused the request.

Next step for M&S was the High Court, where, much to the surprise of most lawyers (and the dismay of landlords across the country), the judge decided that M&S was, in fact, entitled to a refund.

Unsurprisingly, the landlord took the case to the Court of Appeal, where it was overturned. The Court of Appeal said that there was nothing in it to entitle M&S to a refund of rent, or any other payments made in advance of the break date.

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M&S then took their appeal to the Supreme Court, where it unanimously upheld the Court of Appeal’s decision.

The Supreme Court clarified that a tenant should not be entitled to a refund of any payments that relate to the period after the break date – unless the lease makes express provision for such a refund.

This is a sensible and pragmatic outcome that clarifies the situation for both landlords and tenants.

Paul Mourton, Lodders If you are considering entering into a commercial tenancy then the ‘M&S case’ should encourage you to take extra care when negotiating the lease – particularly with regard to including clear terms to allow a refund of advance rent and other payments, where a break date falls in between rent payment dates.

Contact Paul Mourton on 01242 229083 or at paul.mourton@lodders.co.uk

Inheritance tax thresholds on the family home T

he 2015 Summer Budget brought about many tax changes but the one proposal that really hit the headlines was the introduction of a residence nil rate band. Dubbed the ‘family home allowance’, the aim is to allow some family homes – up to a value of £1 million - to be passed on free of inheritance tax.

Currently, an individual can leave an estate worth £325,000 without it being liable to inheritance tax.

This ‘nil rate band’ will be frozen until at least 2020-21.

The new family home allowance will be phased in from 2017, starting at an additional allowance of £100,000 per person and increasing by £25,000 every year, to a maximum of £175,000 by 2020. After 2020, it will increase in line with the Consumer Prices Index.

Married couples can leave the entirety of their estate to their spouse free of IHT so the nil rate band and the family home allowance would not be used against the estate of the first to die. On the second death, the first to die’s unused nil rate band transfers to the surviving spouse, leaving them with an IHT threshold of £650,000. The unused residence nil rate band can also be transferred between spouses, which means that as of 6 April 2020, a surviving spouse could potentially leave £1 million free of inheritance tax.

To qualify for the family home allowance, the residence must have been lived in by the deceased person at some stage during the period of ownership. For those with more than one property, they or their personal representatives can nominate which one should qualify.

Additionally, the property must be left to one or more ‘lineal descendants’ - children, grandchildren, stepchildren, foster children, adopted children.

Where an individual has no descendants, they won’t benefit from the residence nil rate band, a point that many consider to be controversial.

For those whose estates are worth over £2 million, there will be tapered withdrawal of the residence nil rate tax band of £1 for every £2 over the £2 million threshold. Further estate planning is recommended for larger estates.

If a person downsizes or ceases to own a home, there are proposals to allow the residence nil rate band to be available on assets of an equivalent value that are passed to lineal descendants. This part of the legislation is still at a draft stage and is expected to be introduced in the Finance Act 2016.

The rules around the family home allowance are far from straightforward. If you are making a new will or updating an existing one, good advice will be essential to ensure you can benefit from the changes.

As of 6 April 2020, a surviving spouse could potentially leave £1 million free of inheritance tax.

Louise Igoe, Lodders

We’re going digital How will it work?

Electronic document management (EDM) will enable all documents and records to be managed digitally. Currently, Lodders uses a dual system where documents are stored electronically and in hardcopy form.

I’m a client – how will this benefit me?

Not only does EDM support Lodders’ ongoing commitment to take advantage of the latest technology, it also has many benefits for our clients.

Contact Louise Igoe on 01789 206156 or at louise.igoe@lodders.co.uk

From now on, Lodders people are going to be managing all their documents electronically.

EDM means that data and documentation can be sent to clients faster and more securely, rather than relying on the post. Added to that, it will be easier for clients themselves to manage and store their legal correspondence and documents on a digital basis and avoid having to accommodate the huge amounts of paper that legal matters can often generate.

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Profiles

Spotlight on...

Jane Senior

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Jane Senior is head of Dispute Resolution and based in Lodders’ Stratford upon Avon office.

Joining as an equity partner, Jane was appointed as head of the Dispute Resolution team – a new role for Lodders, as she explains:

ane Senior arrived at Lodders in July 2015 with a reputation for not just her litigation expertise but also her boundless energy, something that will stand her in good stead when she is on the starting line of the 2016 London Marathon in April.

“Lodders already had a good reputation for its dispute resolution work and the opportunity to develop it further had great appeal. I’ve enjoyed getting out and about to meet with clients and am fortunate to manage an established and talented team with a friendly and positive culture that is typical of Lodders.“ Jane is a property litigation specialist which dovetails well with Lodders’ extensive real estate expertise. She also qualified as an accredited mediator in 2015: “The mediation process is a fascinating one and one which is increasingly popular with clients. It is a great way of resolving issues away from the traditional litigation route.”

Back to the marathon, and Jane will be spending the early part of 2016 pounding the pavements in preparation for the big day, no doubt with a speedy finishing time in her sights.

We have a shared value of tenacity and perseverance – we all find great satisfaction in finding a way to help clients to achieve their goals.

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Steve Thomas Steve joined Lodders Cheltenham office in June with a brief to grow the firm’s corporate and commercial offering in the region.

A

nd it is a task that he has tackled with relish, handling several large transactions as well as providing day-today advice on a range of business and contractual issues.

“My job is to secure a good deal for my clients – and communication skills are essential for this,” explains Steve. “I like to think I have a knack of explaining complex matters in a clear fashion.”

With his background as an in-house lawyer at both Legal & General and Marlborough Stirling, Steve attracts corporate work from several large outsourcing clients as well as a broad spread of SMEs from both the Cheltenham area and further afield. Closer to home, Steve counts Cheltenham Racecourse as one of his key clients; he looks after their sponsorship and commercial agreements.

Steve’s lifelong passion for rugby (he was a semi-professional for London Welsh and now coaches his local under 10’s team) has ensured that he is a man with stamina, often necessary for those through-the-night completion meetings with his clients.

And what attracted Steve to Lodders?

“It felt like a firm with traditional values but a modern approach. In addition to the people and cultural elements, I was keen to work in a larger firm where my clients – both existing and new – would have access to some real best of breed legal professionals.”

Hollie Coyne If you’ve been to a recent Lodders event or read one of our publications, then the chances are that Lodders’ marketing executive Hollie Coyne will have had a hand in its creation.

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ince joining Lodders in May 2013, Hollie has earned a reputation for her organisational and event management skills, co-ordinating the successful execution of events such as Moreton Show, the annual Property Seminar, and numerous other seminars and hospitality events. Whilst this is clearly a strong suit for Hollie, there’s much more to her role than events alone, as she explains: “In 2015 Lodders supported me through my Chartered Institute of Marketing exams, which I was delighted to pass with distinction. I’ve been able to apply much of what I learnt to create a new strategic plan for our marketing activities, and this has really helped to clarify and shape our direction over recent months.

I’ve also been focusing on our digital presence, from optimising our website through to building our twitter followers. The digital landscape is always evolving but it’s a great way to interact with both clients and contacts.

“With 25 partners and three offices the role is certainly a busy one but Lodders is a firm where you really feel you can make a difference. I’m also lucky that we work with some fantastic suppliers such as our creative agency Reach Marketing and our PR consultant Diane Wood. They definitely make my life easier and help to ensure that our marketing activities continue to play a key part in driving the growth of the firm.”

In January, Hollie was joined by marketing assistant Kate Higginson, to provide some much needed support to this busy team.

Issue 3

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Social pages

2015

5 SEPT

The Moreton-in-Marsh Show Managing Partner Rod Bird welcomed clients, colleagues, contacts and friends to the Lodders stand at the Moreton Show. Guests were treated to drinks and some tasty cake whilst being able to enjoy all the action with a view of the Grand Arena from the Lodders’ marquee. The show also saw the launch of Lodders’ Equine Law team, which you can read more about on pages 16 and 17.

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Lodders Life

Above: Garry and Margaret Jeffery; Michael Brook, Lodders Below: Rod Bird presenting the prize to Charles Le Moignan, rider of Redbridge Tiny Tim – winner of the Lodders sponsored Heavyweight Show Hunter class

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Competition winner is snug as a bug H

orse Kings Archer is snug as a bug since his owner Sophie Hooper was the lucky winner of the limited edition Lodders horse rug after entering a competition at the Moreton Show.

A frequent visitor to the annual event at Moreton in Marsh in the heart of the Cotswolds, Sophie explains that the 2015 event was particularly special for her and her family: “My eight year old son William was competing at Moreton Show on his Welsh Pony Rookery Fizz, which made our trip to the event especially exciting this year.

Above: Sophie Hooper with Natalie Smith, head of Lodders’ Equine team

“They were brilliant, and came seventh in the class.

“Lodders stand was right next to the show ring where William was competing, and we called in to meet some of the team. We also entered the competition, and I was delighted when Natalie called me a few days later to tell me that I had won the rug. Kings Archer and I are thrilled.”

Horses are definitely in Sophie’s blood – she runs 18-acre Hill View arena and stables that nestles at the foot of the Malvern Hills close to the Three Counties Showground.

Family enterprise “Hill View has been a family enterprise for almost forty years,” explains Sophie. “Dad first started the business, which I run today helped by my mum Mary, with additional, unofficial, help and support from my young sons William and Oliver. My brother Paul is also involved behind the scenes, most recently providing investment for the construction of our fantastic arena.

Natalie Smith, an associate in Lodders’ private client team and a key member of the firm’s Equine team, adds: “Congratulations to Sophie on winning the Lodders rug! It’s been great to catch up with Sophie and her horse Kings Archer, who looks amazing in the rug!”

Visit: www.hillview.myzen.co.uk Photographs by: Jess Photography

Issue 3

31

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Winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year, cellist Laura van der Heijden was joined by pianist Alison Rhind.

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Above: Clive Peacock; Susan Grant-Nicholas; Steven Baker, Lodders; Jonathan Grant-Nicholas

Above: Tim Patrickson; Mark Lewis, Lodders; Jenny and Ian Fradgley

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Above: Caroline Nemecek, Lodders; Henry and Roz Warriner

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More than 140 representatives from the Midlands residential and commercial property sector attended the Annual Lodders Property Seminar, which this year moved to a new venue, Riverside overlooking the River Avon. Keynote speaker was Jason Dalby, Managing Director of Roxhill Developments who was joined by speakers from Savills as well as Lodders’ partners, Alastair Frew and Jane Senior. The seminar was chaired by Lodders’ non-executive chairman, George Campion.

Above: Speakers from Lodders’ Property Seminar Right: Lodders’ team of helpers

Below: Lodders’ team of runners

Above: Jonathan Dyke; Rebecca Freeman and Ruth Scott, Lodders; Richard Pitt

Stratford’s Big 10k

2015

13 SEPT The 2015 Stratford Big 10k race took place on Sunday 13 September with Lodders entering a 15-strong team of runners. The race, which is organised by Tempo Events and been sponsored

by Lodders for the past six years, raised funds for Shipston Home Nursing, which runs a team of qualified nurses specialising in palliative care for terminally ill people in their homes across rural South Warwickshire.

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People news

Update

People news from the Lodders camp

HATCHINGS AND MATCHINGS Congratulations to Lauren Watson (née McGurk) who married Tom Watson at Shustoke Barn in June.

August saw a shock arrival for wills and estate dispute resolution expert, Laura Abbott and husband Neil, who welcomed baby Joel a full eight weeks early whilst holidaying in Portugal. Both mother and baby are now home and doing well.

Further congratulations go to Vicki Gulliver (née Gow) who exchanged vows with Tim in a ceremony at St David’s Church in August. Their nuptials were followed by a reception at the Manor House Hotel in Moreton in Marsh.

The second new member to the Lodders family came in the form of baby Edward, welcomed by commercial property associate, Anna Turnell, husband Richard and big brother Harry.

QUALIFICATIONS Congratulations to Alice Chapman who has completed the CILEx Advanced Apprenticeship in Legal Services, achieving a Level 3 Certificate in Private Client Practice and a Level 3 Diploma in Providing Legal Services. Alice joined the firm in July 2013 as an office junior in the Private Client department and started the apprenticeship in March 2014.

She has shown tremendous dedication in studying part-time to accomplish this success.

Further success in the Private Client department followed with wills expert Angela Craig qualifying as Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in January 2016.

Congratulations also go to Marketing Executive, Hollie Coyne who successfully completed her Chartered Institute of Marketing, Certificate in Professional Marketing (Digital Marketing).

WELCOME TO OUR NEW TRAINEE SOLICITORS Mohammed Abbas and Jenny Cockett have taken the first steps towards realising a legal career following their recruitment to Lodders’ flagship trainee solicitors programme.

The duo join a programme that has a strong track record for Lodders, with 70% of our trainees staying with us post-qualification, many joining the firm’s partnership and remaining at Lodders throughout their careers.

Most recently, these include Louise Igoe who was promoted to equity partner in July, partner and business and commercial specialist Kim Klahn, associates Rebecca Freeman and Laura Abbott, solicitor Amrit Samra, as well as Krishna Gokani and Lauren Watson, who both qualified earlier last year.

34

Lodders Life

Dates for your diary

Events

Dates for your diary

FEBRUARY

APRIL

Pride of Stratford Awards 2016 5 February The town of Stratford upon Avon comes together to celebrate remarkable achievements across the district at the fourth annual Pride of Stratford Awards. www.102touchfm.co.uk/pride-ofstratford-awards-2016

Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations 2016 23 - 24 April 23 April 2016 will provide the climax to a truly unique festival commemorating 400 years since William Shakespeare’s death and celebrating his legacy. www.shakespearescelebrations.com

Folk Three Festival at Cheltenham Town Hall 12 – 14 February A mix of the best folk acts will take to the stage this weekend blending the contemporary with the traditional. www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/whatson/festivals/folkthree

MARCH

Stratford Literary Festival 24 April – 1 May Celebrating its ninth year in 2016, the Stratford upon Avon Literary Festival takes place at a range of venues around the town. www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk Cheltenham Jazz Festival 27 April – 2 May The Cheltenham Jazz Festival returns with its trademark mix of international jazz stars, homegrown talent and up-and-coming new artists. www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz/

MAY Children’s Book Day 1 May The Children’s Book Day takes place on the last day of the Literary Festival, Stratford Artshouse plays host to this fun-filled day of authors, illustrators and workshops dedicated to children. www.stratfordliteraryfestival.co.uk Gold Cup Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse 15 – 18 March Join the Cheltenham Racecourse faithful for the showpiece event in the National Hunt calendar. www.cheltenham.co.uk

CELEBRITY SPOT

JULY

Stratford River Festival 2-3 July For two whole days the riverside will come alive with more music, narrow boats, and craft stalls than ever before. There will also be an illuminated boat parade culminating with a fantastic firework display. www.stratfordriverfestival.co.uk The Game Fair 29 July – 31 July We are delighted that the Game Fair is returning to Ragley Hall, only a short drive away from our offices in Stratford upon Avon.

The event remains a key event for many of Lodders’ farming and rural clients. www.thegamefair.org

SEPTEMBER

Cheltenham Poetry Festival 6 – 15 May Sponsored by Lodders, this year’s festival has award-winning plays, cabaret nights, specially commissioned poetry cinema, poetry bands and much more. www.cheltenhampoetryfest.co.uk

JUNE Cheltenham Science Festival 7-12 June For six whole days you can celebrate how the world works and find out how science helps us understand it. The festival aims to inspire, challenge, surprise and entertain you in equal measure. www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/science

Moreton Show 3 September The Moreton Show is a traditional agricultural and horse show, with marquees and hurdle pens giving a true country show atmosphere. Lodders will have a stand in our usual place so come and join us for a cup of tea and some tasty cake. www.moretonshow.co.uk

hael Little dders with Mic Rod Bird of Lo Paxford 15 20 e th ips at and Zara Phill Point to Point.

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The Lodders recipe for success Solid and full of nourishing advice, Lodders has been a firm favourite for 230 years.

Ideal for a business lunch, a working breakfast or a snack on the go, when you’ve worked up an appetite for legal advice nothing else quite hits the spot.

A satisfying slice of Lodders advice and a nice hot cup of tea really is the business.

Ingredients

Method

25 Partners 9 Solicitors 7 Associates 2 Managers

Divide the ingredients into different departments offering a wide range of legal services (some mixing will occur but this will only enhance quality). Support staff to taste.

4 Consultants 10 Legal Executives 4 Administrators 1 Non-Executive Chairman

Stratford upon Avon office 01789 293259 Henley in Arden office 01564 792261 Cheltenham office 01242 228370

www.lodders.co.uk

@lodderslawyers

s o l i c i tors