Kreston Reeves advises Global Critical Logistics on acquisition of Classic Automotive Relocation Services

Kreston Reeves has advised Global Critical Logistics (GCL) group on the acquisition of Classic Automotive Relocation Services (CARS).

Kreston Reeves provided financial due diligence, tax due diligence and structuring advice to support the transaction, which comprised the three separate acquisitions of the discrete elements which make up CARS’ global operations.

CARS is a world leader in the road, air and sea freight shipment of historic, rare and prestigious vehicles to destinations around the world, guiding them through the complexities of freight documentation and customs brokerage to car shows, exhibitions, trade shows, motoring events and rallies. Headquartered in the UK and with offices in the USA, UAE, Netherlands and Japan, CARS operates a network of specialist storage facilities and offers services including international transportation, motorsport logistics, customs brokerage, vehicle storage, Carnet de Passages and various OEM testing options.

GCL is backed by ATL Partners, a premier sector-focused private equity firm based in New York that invests in aerospace, transportation and logistics. GCL is the holding company for a family of brands that include Rock-it Global, Dietl, Cosdel, CargoLive, Dynamic International, GCL Jets, and CARS. With 39 owned offices in 14 countries, GCL provide mission critical logistics for worldwide operations serving the live events, fine art, classic and high-value automobiles, film, television, broadcast, sports and motor sports industries. 

CARS’ extensive coverage of the European, U.S. and Middle Eastern markets solidifies GCL’s position as a global specialist freight forwarder for high-end and high-value automobiles and compliments GCL’s existing brand Cosdel International Transportation. This combination of CARS’ and Cosdel’s expertise and global coverage creates a new global leader serving this complex and demanding market.

The Kreston Reeves team was led by Corporate Finance Partner Jack Clipsham and Corporate Tax Partner Laurence Parry. They were supported by Director James Reed-Sperrin, Senior Managers Jeremy Marshall and Mohammed Mujtaba and Corporate Finance Analyst Brandon McBride.

Jack Clipsham said: “The classic vehicle and motor sports markets remains strong attracting considerable interest around the world. Kreston Reeves brings an experienced and strong team to complex and multi-jurisdiction corporate finance deals, and it was a privilege to advise GCL on this important acquisition.”

Paul J. Martins, President & CEO of GCL, commented “This acquisition extends the GCL group’s service offering and proven operational capabilities across key strategic growth markets, both in terms of customer industries and geographic presence. Kreston Reeves provides great service and support to all the companies that make up GCL – it is a great team effort.”

Andrew Blay, VP Corporate Development & Finance of GCL said: “This transaction has been one of the most challenging deals of my career and Kreston Reeves has provided extraordinary support on this project - we could not have completed the deal without the firm’s expertise and pragmatism during diligence. Without your seasoned experienced and measured perspectives, we may not have reached this outcome.”

GB Electronics MD has been selected as an Ambassador for the Digital Skills Programme

Mark Bullen, Managing Director is delighted to make this annoucement. 

I am very excited that I have been selected as a Digital Futures Ambassador for West Sussex such a fantastic initiative which aligns with GBE’s strategy and experience:

·  West Sussex is a fantastic location to build a company, especial a tech-focused digital business. The area has amazing potential and is set for spectacular growth.
·  A career in the growing and ever-diverse digital industry is incredibly rewarding, exciting and cool.
·  There are some very talented people in our region – time to tap into that talent and push the boundaries of innovation in West Sussex.

This is based on my experience of growing GBE to the tech business it is today. Launching over 5 new products to market every year, building our team to over 60 people, specialising in software, hardware and product design with our own advanced manufacturing site has given me a passion for the Digital Industry. Coupled with working with local schools, colleges, universities, and SMEs has shown the talent pool we have in West Sussex.

So, when I found out about the Digital Futures West Sussex programme that West Sussex County Council and the West Sussex districts and boroughs were funding, I really wanted to get involved.

www.digitalfuturesws.co.uk

Can your business support students at St Oscar Romero?

Check out the following skills development events

Skills Convo (Interviews)
Thursday 20th April 2023 - 8am to 12 noon
Choose any section https://www.loom.com/share/59dfd4854403494792c95f1f558d880f

Anything is Possible Workshops
Could you provide a 50 minute slot?
https://www.loom.com/share/991dab0fed014591809f4ec8938420df

Work Experience Year 10
Monday 19th June to Friday 23rd June 2023
https://www.loom.com/share/276811bedac14ff1ab48efd7a136b2e0

If you can offer your support, please email pdean@stromeros.co.uk

Free Co-working week at plus X Brighton

You are invited to experience the Plus X innovation community  

Enjoy a free week of full membership access to our Brighton innovation hub. With a wealth of flexible working spaces from coworking desks to private studios we are opening up their doors to give you the opportunity to experience a week in the life as a Plus X member! 

MONDAY 24^TH – FRIDAY 28^TH APRIL 2023

With growth at the very core of the Plus X business ecosystem, whether you are a large established business or a growing start up, we are built for people who are interested in making change , developing different perspectives , learning , growing , and finding answers to the biggest challenges of our time . 

Join us to experience this for yourself. 

Click the link below and fill out the form to register a place now. 

https://plusx.space/free-coworking-week/

Government-funded leadership course helps small business leaders boost performance and resilience

Small business leaders across Worthing and Adur are invited to take advantage of the 90% government-funded Help to Grow: Management Course. Designed by entrepreneurs and industry experts from the UK’s leading business schools, the course helps small business leaders and senior managers from every industry to boost leadership skills as well as business performance and resilience.

Help to Grow: Management is a 12-week course covering the critical components required to develop a resilient business strategy. It includes online and face-to-face sessions, 10 hours of 1-to-1 mentoring, peer networking, and support to develop a Growth Action Plan. 90% funded by UK Government, the course costs just £750 per person.

This practical leadership course provides time away from the challenges of running a business to invest in your leadership, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to take your business to the next level:

• Develop leadership skills across all areas of business including strategic planning, employee engagement, vision and values, finance, and marketing
• Develop strategies for market segmentation, positioning and targeting to streamline the marketing approach
• Gain exclusive access to a regional peer network to share practical challenges, ideas, and experiences
• Work with a mentor to develop a Growth Action Plan tailored to your business and its unique journey
• Learn how to engage your employees on the business journey and plan the future structure of the organisation
• Identify new technologies and digital approaches to enhance innovation and productivity across your business
• Improve operational efficiency to save time and money.

At the end of the Help to Grow: Management Course, you will be ready to lead the change required to scale your business, even in the most challenging of conditions.

To be eligible for the course, your business must employ between 5 and 249 people, and have been operational for at least a year. SMEs employing 10 or more people can enrol 2 senior managers on the course.

The course is delivered by multiple Small Business Charter accredited business schools within Worthing and Adur.. More information, including course dates and testimonials from course participants, is available from the website.

Leaders and senior managers are already experiencing the benefits of taking part in the Help to Grow: Management Course.

Book your FREE Net Zero Workshop today!

Net-zero is transforming business at a pace. Get left behind and you risk becoming irrelevant in the eyes of consumers, investors, and funders.

But where do you start? How do you work out what’s right for you? And how do you deal with the complex issues, such as supply chains and product lifecycles?

Enter Net Zero 360 – the UK’s first full-service net-zero business package.

It’s designed to take you from the first steps on your net-zero journey to becoming a bona fide sustainability pioneer. You get access to workshops, a rigorous carbon calculator, action-planning support, and university innovation expertise and facilities.

This three-part series of FREE workshops is where you get on.

You’ll get a solid grounding in net-zero business, with plenty of time built-in for you to ask questions and get tailored advice.

This online edition will run over two cohorts 

• Cohort 1 runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm on 9, 16 and 23 May 2023.
• Cohort 2 runs from 9.30am to 12.30pm on 11, 18 and 25 May 2023.

Some feedback from previous attendees:

“I have really enjoyed this course; it has been very insightful and useful for ideas of how to progress our sustainability program.”

“Brilliant course – fantastic facilitation by very credible presenters.”

“I found this course extremely useful, it has kick started our journey!”

Book your FREE place here

Apply to be a Green Business Champion!

Let’s Go! Net Zero is a new initiative to motivate businesses to embrace sustainability and empower resilient and forward-thinking businesses across West Sussex. The search is on for Green Business Champions to be the face of the project and help us to inspire change.

Working with business networks, local councils, and the project team, the Champions will support businesses in their area and sector by helping to build understanding of Net Zero and sustainability and advocating for the many potential benefits of taking sustainability to the heart of a business.

The role is an opportunity for Champions to support the delivery of Let’s Go! Net Zero to local businesses, and to encourage business growth and connections in West Sussex, as well as sharing their own best practice and business experience.

So, please apply if:

• you want to help other small and medium-sized businesses, and build local business connections
• you enjoy public speaking and being an advocate for sustainability
• you have a powerful story to share about your business’s sustainability journey, that you feel others could relate to
• you have led a sustainability and/or Net Zero plan in your business
• you have applied sustainability knowledge and experience in a specific sector

Your business needs to be based in West Sussex and you'll need to commit around 3 days between May 2023 – March 2024.

You’ll need to be available to speak at 3 business networking events, and proactively spread the word about Let’s Go! Net Zero via your networks, e.g. through vox pops, quotes and social media.

You'll get full briefing ahead of the events, and join Champions from different sectors and areas of the county in a mission to inspire other businesses to act.

As a thank you and to cover your expenses there'll be a £1,000 payment, 50% up front, and 50% at the end of the project.

Please note this is a two stage application process. All those shortlisted will be asked to submit a short video answering several questions.

If this opportunity is of interest, then we want to hear from you. To apply, please complete the form here Apply to be a West Sussex Green Business Champion (onlinesurveys.ac.uk)

Deadline for applications 30th April 2023, but it would be great to hear from you as soon as possible if you’re interested, as we will be considering them as they come in.

The Worthing and Adur Fund - Applications Now Open

The fund that keeps on giving! 

Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce has a charitable fund called the ‘Worthing & Adur Fund’, in partnership with Sussex Community Foundation, a charity that develops and supports local giving.

A number of local Worthing people and businesses were founder donors, each giving a minimum of £1,000. These donations established a core endowment fund, the income from which, as it has grown, has enabled the Fund to make grants to many charities and community groups. Thanks to the Grassroots Endowment Challenge, every initial donation to the fund was matched pound for pound by the government. This means that the contributions have twice the impact in supporting local charities and community projects.

The fund was set up in 2009 to support small charities and community groups working in Worthing & Adur area. The Chamber spearheaded the fund through various fundraising events including quizzes, golf days and encouraged the donations from many local businesses and individuals to support the fund over the past decade. The fund gave out its first grants in November 2011.

The Chamber works with the Sussex Community Foundation to promote this permanent fund which provides grants to small charities and community groups working in Worthing and Adur. Each year there are three rounds of applications with grants of up to £1000 which can see over 200 applicants from a variety of groups.

Applying to the fund

Are you involved in a small local Charity, voluntary organisation or Community group? If so you can apply for a grant of up to £1000 to support your project. Grants of up to £1,000 are paid out three times a year.

We are particularly keen to support grassroots community groups and small-to-medium sized voluntary organisations. All applicants must be not-for-profit community organisations and be working for the benefit of the people in Sussex. You do not have to be a charity but you will need to have your own bank account and be able to provide a signed copy of your constitution and accounts, a copy of a recent bank statement, estimates for proposed purchases (if applicable) and copies of relevant policies.

How to Apply: 

The awards are open to applications. There are three main rounds of grant-giving each year. Upcoming deadlines for applications (unless specified otherwise) is 5:00pm (1700 hours) as follows:

• Friday 5th May 2023 (Decisions July 2023)
• Friday 8th September 2023 (Decisions November 2023)
• Friday 5th January 2024 (Decisions March 2024)

Please note the general funds cannot support small contributions to large capital appeals or campaigns. General round grants are available to cover a range of core and project costs

Please read the general guidance notes before applying.

We’re pleased to announce that the online application form for the next General Round of grants (closing on Friday 5^th May) is now available to access here https://ukcommunityfoundation.my.salesforce-sites.com/forms/SussexCommunityFoundation/ApplicationForm/2022

If you are unsure what to do or have questions about the grants please contact Sussex Community Foundation on 01273 409 440.

On receipt of your application Sussex Community Foundation will contact you to advise when you are likely to hear the outcome.

Donating to the Fund

The Worthing & Adur Fund is still open to ongoing donations, and we hope to build this resource for the community even further. By contributing, you can help ensure that our community continues to thrive and support those who need it most.

Join us today in making a positive impact on our community - donate to the Worthing & Adur Fund and help create lasting change for years to come.

Business Awards Sponsorship Opportunities!

Interested in sponsorship? Becoming a sponsor of the Adur & Worthing Business Awards is a great opportunity to raise the profile of your business and is an effective way of engaging with your peers and the wider business community

Exclusive Table Wine Sponsorship - £900 + VAT 
Your branding/advert on all bottled table wine and water (250+ bottle neck tags)
2 tickets to the Awards night on 4^th November at The Pavilion, Worthing
½ page colour advert included in the A5 awards programme
Regular promotion/acknowledgement via AWBA social media channels
On-stage acknowledgement
Company profile, logo and link on the official AWBA website
Post awards marketing coverage
 
Exclusive Welcome Drinks Sponsorship - £850 + VAT 
 2 x tickets to awards night on 4^th November at The Pavilion, Worthing
1 pull-up banner (provided and paid for by AWBA)  
On stage acknowledge 
 Regular promotion/acknowledgement via AWBA social media channels
½ page colour advert included in the A5 awards programme 
Company profile, logo, and link on the official AWBA website
Post awards marketing coverage 

Although most of our sponsors are in place for 2023, we do still have opportunities available so please get in touch as we’d love to get you involved.

Please email nicky.dumbleton@awbawards.com for more information

Digital Futures Information Hub! 

Are you considering a career change? Do you want to find out more about digital skills and job opportunities in our area? Join the Digital Futures West Sussex information hub on Monday 17^th April at Worthing library any time between 10am and 3pm.

Jobseekers, those considering a new career path and anyone with an interest in digital skills are invited to come and find out more about local career opportunities and pathways into digital roles, useful courses available and the salaries and benefits associated with a digital career.

Find out more at www.digitalfuturesws.co.uk