Lamont Pridmore celebrates Keswick School’s business student success
Rachel Stevens has received the Lamont Pridmore Business Studies Student Award for her dedication and passion for her studies at Keswick School.
Rachel’s teacher, Diane Duguid said: “She is a conscientious GCSE business student. She has a keen interest in the business world with a particular flair for the accountancy side of the course. She always sets her standards high and is keen to develop her knowledge.”
Phillip Pridmore, a director of the firm’s Keswick office, visited Rachel’s school in Keswick to present the award in person.
He said: “We are passionate about business so recognising up-and-coming talent is always an important aspect of what we do.
“The fact that Rachel has found an interest in accounting is very exciting and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”
New Chairman confirmed for family-owned tourism businesses
Lake District Holdings Ltd – which includes Lake District Estates, Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Company and Ullswater ‘Steamers’ – has announced the appointment of Richard Lancaster as its new Chairman.
Peter Hensman, who has chaired Lake District Holdings since 2013, has decided to step down from mid-October when new Non-Executive Director Richard will take over the role.
Richard graduated from Cambridge University with an MA in Law, and consequently built and sold his own retail business. He went on to enjoy an impressive career at Director level with roles including Trading and Marketing Director at Sainsbury’s Convenience, Morrisons and Poundland and senior general management roles at The Co-op and Netto UK.
Peter Hensman said: “I have been fortunate to have been involved with my family company for over 40 years, the last 10 years as chairman. It encompasses a great variety of businesses that are treasured by many. I am pleased to be handing over the chairmanship to an experienced business leader who will maintain its ethos and help it to continue to develop.”
Richard Lancaster said: “My family are regular visitors to the Lake District and I was instantly attracted by the opportunity at Lake District Holdings. I look forward to working with the executive team and family shareholders as we take its many iconic brands forward together.”
Solicitors rock out for local charity
A local law firm has organised an evening of live music to support Bendrigg Trust, a charity based at Old Hutton.
John Osborne, a partner at Kendal firm Harrison Drury, has formed a band with local musicians to play a set of classic rock and indie cover songs on Friday 13th October. Financial Services firm, Rathbones, are co-sponsoring the event at The Venue in Kendal.
John Osborne said: “We have been supporting Bendrigg all year with fund-raising activities and also some volunteering.
“They are an amazing charity, providing life-changing opportunities for people who may not normally be able to take part in activities outdoors.
“The music event will be a great way for people to enjoy themselves, have a dance and raise money for this fantastic cause.”
Two Cumbrian businesswomen scoop national Enterprise Vision Awards
Gina Pennington and Joan Lind, both from Kendal, have won national awards for their entrepreneurship.
The Enterprise Vision Awards is the UK’s largest female focussed business awards celebration, and was held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Friday 29th September.
Gina runs Pennington’s Tea and Coffee won the Hospitality Industry Award. The judges said: “Pennington’s combines the heart of a local family business with the ambition of a national liquid gold success story.
“In the midst of soaring overheads, she has pivoted the business, scaled up and strategized to ensure future sustainability and growth.”
The Customer Services Award was won by Joan Lind of Trybooking.com for her innovative approach to authentic care for the customers’ needs and client management. The judges said: “Joan is a heart centred entrepreneur who has fostered a culture of care into everything the organisation does.”
Local Estate Agent shortlisted for three national awards
Waterhouse Estates, based in Milnthorpe has been shortlisted for three national estate agency awards.
The firm is up for Regional Estate Agency of the Year for the North West and North East regions, as well as small estate agency of the year at the Negotiator Awards.
The Negotiator Awards were established 15 years ago and celebrate excellence within the estate and letting agent industry, as well as recognising the contributions of suppliers and the wider residential property sector.
The firm has previously won the new estate agency of the year category.
Eden dairy farmer becomes chairman of Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers
Robert Craig from Armathwaite has been appointed chairman of the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF).
Robert is a third-generation dairy farmer and operates three dairy farming businesses across Cumbria and Northumberland, milking 1,500 spring and autumn calving cows.
A former chairman of Cumbria NFU, he maintains an interest in local and national politics, both on and off the farm.
He is also a non-executive director of First Milk and is currently the co-op’s vice-chairman. All three of his businesses supply First Milk, and he represents the co-op at Dairy UK, where he chairs the Dairy UK farmer forum.
Robert said: “I am delighted to be the RABDF chairman. There are some exciting projects that we hope to develop as an association to help overcome labour shortages in the dairy sector and also to do more to promote the industry, particularly to the next generation.”
“Undoubtedly there will also be a focus on the here and now and the impact milk price cuts are having on farmers and ways in which we, as an association, can help support our members as the pinch is felt.”
Highly regarded industry professional appointed to lead Genesis Homes customer care team
Craig Wright has been appointed as Customer Care Manager at Cumbria-based Genesis Homes to ensure customers are getting the best level of care for their new home. Craig was previously president of the National Federation of Builders for the North East.
Crag said: “Customer care is vitally important to a company like Genesis Homes and it is my role to make sure homeowners are completely happy with their new build, and that we can resolve any issues they may have in a timely and professional manner.
“The work the company already does to satisfy purchasers is excellent but there is always room for improvement so I look forward to the challenge of making sure our aftercare package is better than it ever has been.
“Genesis Homes is a housebuilder with a great reputation across the North of England for building high specification homes, and I look forward to enhancing that reputation by adding more than 20 years of industry experience to the team.”
New recruit joins leading accountancy firm
A leading accountancy firm has further signalled its commitment to investing in young people with the appointment of a new apprentice.
JF Hornby and Co has welcomed 18-year-old Carly Atkinson to the team as a trainee chartered accountant.
The former Ulverston Victoria High School sixth form pupil will spend the next five years under the tutelage of her experienced colleagues as she pursues her dream job.
Carly said: “I completed work experience preparing accounts with a local agricultural and tourism business in the summer holidays, where I found it interesting learning about the challenges they faced due to decreases in direct government subsidies.
“This inspired me to pursue a role in accountancy as I wanted to help make a positive impact on businesses in the area. I like the idea of helping clients to save money by making their businesses more efficient.”
Carly will complete her level 4 AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) course after two years. This will be followed by a further three years of study, after which she will become a Chartered Accountant.
Managing director Paul Hornby said: “Carly is a fantastic addition to the team at JF Hornby & Co. She is bright, inquisitive and enthusiastic. She wants to make a positive difference and her approach is a perfect fit with our ethos.”
