North East Property Forum Meet Again

The North East Property Forum met again to discuss how a new report can help plan for future housing needs across the region. The forum also discussed the current market and expectations for 2011.


To see the discussion please visit North East Property Forum November 2010

Latimer Hinks Recommended by Legal 500 & Chambers UK!

Latimer Hinks' partners have been recognised as experts in their particular fields by the Legal 500 and Chambers UK - I think we need to give ourselves a pat on the back!

Legal 500 - Published for over twenty years, the Legal 500 Series provides the most comprehensive worldwide coverage currently available on legal services providers, in over 100 countries. Used by commercial and private clients, corporate counsel, CEOs, FDs and professional advisers - as well as by other referrers of work both nationally and internationally - the series is widely regarded as offering the definitive judgement of law firm capabilities.

Corporate & Commercial (Nick Poole)
Latimer Hinks advised on the sale of a number of architectural practices based in the region and also the South East.

Commercial Litigation (Mark Gardner)
Latimer Hinks has a debt recovery and bankruptcy specialist in Mark Gardner

Agriculture & Estates (Anne Elliott)
Latimer Hinks' "evident commitment to the farming community" has significantly enhanced it's reputation for agricultural work. Clients particularly highlight Anne Elliott, who "combines a clear grasp of the issues, passionate commitment and an ability to communicate in clear, everyday language."

Agriculture & Estates
Tim Haggie is also recommended for agricultural property development (Tim Haggie)

Personal Tax, Trusts & Probate (Anne Elliott)
Anne Elliott at Latimer Hinks recently assisted on the administration of an estate worth £3.9m involving complex family matters and farming, business and IHT issues

Real Estate (Mark Clayton)
Mark Calyton's team at Latimer Hinks advised a local business on the £1m acquisition of new industrial and office premises at Newton Aycliffe

Chambers UK - The UK Guide lists both solicitors and barristers in over 70 specialist areas of law. Since 1989, Chambers have been researching the UK legal profession, identifying the leading lawyers and law firms through interviews with thousands of lawyers and their clients. Their reputation is based on the independence and objectivity of research.

This Darlington team advises on a range of agricultural matters, including sales and purchases, agricultural holdings, and succession planning. More recently it has advised on an increasing number of wind farm developments. The team has a loyal client base who praise the firm for having “a fantastic appreciation of the common concerns held by farmers and landowners.”

Client Service “The team provides a very personal service; it is always accessible and very approachable.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anne Elliott is “extremely thorough and very knowledgeable,” according to sources. She is commended for her advice on succession planning.

Real Estate
Nicola Neilson heads up Latimer Hinks' residential property practice. One source said: "She is very efficient – she knows what we want and delivers."

Family Business Week - planning for succession - top tips

Anne Elliott, Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors

Nov 1st - Nov 6th is the inaugural Family Business Week and Anne Elliott of Latimer Hinks is recommending family businesses to plan for succession.

One of the most demanding and difficult tasks undertaken by any business is planning the succession of management and the passing of assets on to the next generation. The process can be especially complicated because of the close relationships and emotions involved.

Most people are not comfortable discussing topics such as ageing, death, and their financial affairs.

Many families have spent their working lives building up their businesses. Naturally they want the business to thrive after they have retired or died especially if the business is to remain in the family for future generations.

Succession planning helps you protect your assets and helps you take control of how you pass on the business when the time comes - planning today can make the world of difference to how the business operates in the months and years to come.

Anne's action points are:

• Set the targets and objectives you want to achieve from the succession process.
•  Divide the process up into stages and identify a timescale for each phase from pinpointing who will take over the running of the business to the final handover of control of the company (it might be a five year plan).
• Establish if the people you would like to take over the business have the right skill sets and abilities.
• Find out if the potential successors are willing to assume the role you have identified for them.
• Ask yourself, would it be better for the business for a member of the family to take over or to bring in someone from outside?
• Alternatively would the best course of action be to sell the business?
• Enlist expert advisers to make sure that any plans are legally watertight, are tax efficient and minimise the potential for challenge by or conflict among family members.

Seek good advice and seek it early. To ensure a smooth succession it is vital to start planning several years before your retirement date or death (a date no-one can anticipate!) Delay planning and your family and your business may all suffer as a result. If you and your family are prepared to put aside time now to prepare for the future the rewards can be very significant and you can make sure that the transition happens the way that you want it to.

Further details can be found on the fact sheet Succeeding at Succession

ASSIST Event - Women's Enterprise Day, 17th Nov

ASSIST is a networking group for professional ladies in Tees Valley and on the 17th November the Group is meeting for an event based around Women's Enterprise Day.... therefore the content is all about business enterprise and the cycle of a business.

 

It is also, Global Entrepreneurship Week – 16th – 22nd November - a celebration of enterprise and new ideas.

  

The morning will start with a networking game to break the ice. We will then bring together business ladies that are at different stages of the business cycle

• Pre-start Jacqui Cliff of Girl on the Run
• Fledgling - Laura Degnan of Writers Block
• Growth Ruth Winden of Careers Enhanced Ltd
• Mature Gillian Duffy of Duffy Pedersen & Co Ltd, Accountants

ASSIST hope that the event will help to build confidence and inspire you to have ideas and make them happen.

• ASSIST Meeting: 17th November 2010
• Venue: Parkmore Hotel, Yarm
• Time: 8:45am for 9:25am

If you are interested in attending please return this email with confirmation to: assistladiesnetworking@hotmail.co.uk

 

 The cost is minimal – only £5 for members and as we are celebrating Women’s Enterprise Day the cost for non-members will also be £5!

 

 Once you have been allocated a place simply bring along payment on the day.

 

 Timing:

• 8:45 – 9:25am Registration and informal networking
• 9:25 – 10.10am Introduction and Networking game
• 10.10– 10.40am Entrprenuership Speakers
• 10.40 – 10.45am Business Card draw and Charity raffle
• 10.45 - 11.00am Opportunity for further networking 

We look forward to seeing you there