We love it when businesses send us their good news and here’s our latest good news round-up, kindly sponsored by PALADIN. Awards, expansion, new contracts or new appointments, if you’ve got some good news you want to share please email the editor, Martin Shaw, on martin@huddersfieldhub.co.uk.
LFH Regulatory – a Yorkshire-based medical device and IVD consultancy specialising in the field of regulatory, quality and clinical affairs – is celebrating its fifth anniversary.
Founded in 2019 by Huddersfield-based Laura Friedl-Hirst, the company has rapidly expanded from a one-woman operation to a robust team of six, with two additional members set to join in the coming months.
Having worked in various manufacturing companies before transitioning to a demanding corporate role, Laura found extensive weekly travel challenging, especially with a young daughter at home.
The desire for a better work-life balance motivated her to create a consultancy that not only delivered exceptional services but also prioritised flexibility and a supportive work environment.
LFH Regulatory’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity was recently recognised with the prestigious Gender Inclusive Employer award by Femtech World in May.
As a woman-led business, LFH Regulatory prides itself on creating an environment where every team member feels supported and empowered to succeed, regardless of gender. This commitment extends to flexible working policies and leadership appointments, reflecting Laura’s dedication to celebrating diverse backgrounds and experiences within the business.
Adding to their accolades, LFH Regulatory was also announced as a finalist for The BizX UK’s Biggest Business Event, Awards & Forum for Best Personal Growth. This recognition underscores the company’s dedication to both professional excellence and personal development.
“In just five years, it’s been amazing to see the company grow so much,” said Laura.
LFH Regulatory helps clients navigate the complex regulatory landscape of the global medical device industry, making the process of regulation and compliance as simple and stress-free as possible.
Liam Brooke has joined Ramsdens Solicitors as a partner to lead its growing will, trust and estate disputes practice, based in Edgerton.
With a wealth of experience advising on all types of contentious trust and probate matters, Liam joins Ramsdens from Rothley Law’s private client practice (previously part of Shoosmiths) where he spent two years, latterly as a principal associate. He has also worked for Clarion and Irwin Mitchell.
Liam has expertise in disputes regarding the validity of wills, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and disputes involving executors and trustees. He also deals with disputes arising within the Court of Protection.
Liam is a Member of ACTAPS (Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists) and is also a member of the Northern Contentious Probate Group.
Nick Armitage, who heads up the firm’s dispute resolution teams, said: “Liam’s arrival is a further welcome boost to our experienced will, trust and estate disputes team which now includes one partner, two senior associates and two legal assistants.
“With an impressive track record of advising in this complex and often sensitive area of the law, Liam will take the helm as we continue to drive our reputation as experts in this specialist field, offering the most senior regional team outside Leeds.”
With a heritage of providing a wide range of legal services to businesses and individuals for more than 150 years, Ramsdens Solicitors has 11 offices throughout Yorkshire. The multi-award-winning law firm has 43 partners leading the 230-strong team.
Bed manufacturer Kelcol is celebrating the first anniversary of joining the National Bed Federation which proved so much more than just a “badge of quality.”
The Mirfield company, which employs 30 people and has been manufacturing beds in the town for 45 years, makes beds and sprung mattresses under the Kelcol Bed Company and Sleepwell brands, supplying around 150 retailers across the UK.
Kelcol was established by David Kelly and his family in 1979 and is now owned by the Barker family who bought the business in 2021.
Current managing director Amy Wheeler (nee Barker) joined Kelcol in 2009 working in sales administration and going on to become involved in all parts of the business from accounts to buying.
Three years ago, Amy, together with her parents, bought Kelcol and her two sisters have now joined the team too.
With a focus on quality, the company uses traditional techniques, with most processes carried out by hand by its highly skilled team. It also manufactures electrically adjustable beds.
Amy said: “Every one of the 11,000 mattresses and beds we produce each year is fully bespoke. We make to order and are extremely proud of our high quality, traditionally manufactured product range.
“When we acquired the business, we saw it as a great opportunity to take a fresh look at everything we do and find ways of improving how we work.
“A key part of this strategy involved applying to join the industry’s leading trade association, the NBF, and the audit helped us to review all of our processes from health and safety to compliance.
“Not only did this give us confidence that we were operating in the best way possible, it also strengthened our customers’ trust in us as a reputable supplier.”
Amy added: “As well as achieving the ‘badge of quality’ of being part of the NBF, membership has delivered various other benefits over the last year
“It’s been really useful to be able to ask the NBF team for advice on industry issues, whether changes to legislation or apprenticeship initiatives, and to liaise with other members and learn from their experiences.
“Joining the NBF is part of our commitment to taking Kelcol to the next level and raising our profile within the sector.
“We’re looking forward to exhibiting our range at the NBF’s Bed Show next year which will be a perfect opportunity to talk to more retailers and network with our peers.”
A unique business which delivers interpretation design services for visitor attractions has relocated its studio headquarters to Dean Clough in Halifax.
The Creative Core has agreed a deal to occupy a 1,500 sq ft unit within the historic F Mill at Dean Clough, relocating a team of 12 from Huddersfield.
Established in 2010 to deliver specialist interpretation design services for museums, heritage sites, libraries and cultural attractions, The Creative Core also operates its own in-house bespoke joinery business which employs a further 30 people at its manufacturing site in Boothtown, Halifax.
Core’s clients include national organisations like the National Trust, the Science Museum, Amgueddfa Cymru and the RNLI, besides those closer to home, including the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds, Bolton Art Gallery, Library & Museum, and the Peace Museum in Bradford.
Nichola Ward, creative director at The Creative Core, said: “Dean Clough was the obvious location for us to relocate to. The venue is well known for its cultural offering, with a mix of successful galleries, a theatre, art houses, media, and design businesses which is a great fit for The Creative Core.
“Representing a legacy of industrial heritage and innovation, Dean Clough provides the perfect setting for us to showcase our services and ethos to visiting clients.”
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