Richard Parker, the Labour candidate, has caused a political earthquake after being elected as the next West Midlands Mayor after a close campaign, defeating Andy Street. The pair were neck-and-neck throughout the count, as expected, and there was a full recount of the Coventry ballot. In the end, just over a thousand votes – or 0.2% – separated them after 600,000 voters took part in Thursday’s election. Throughout his campaign, Street had emphasised his personal brand and record, and sought to distance himself from the Conservative Party’s national performance. The two previous mayoral...…Richard Parker, the Labour candidate, has caused a political earthquake after being elected as the next West Midlands Mayor after a close campaign, defeating Andy Street. The pair were neck-and-neck throughout the count, as expected, and there was a full recount of the Coventry ballot. In the end, just over a thousand votes – or 0.2% – separated them after 600,000 voters took part in Thursday’s election. Throughout his campaign, Street had emphasised his personal brand and record, and sought to distance himself from the Conservative Party’s national performance. The two previous mayoral...WW…

Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram were both re-elected comfortably as Metro Mayors for their third terms, though on lower turnouts. A breakdown of the results is likely to reveal that Burnham won 214 out of 215 council wards in Greater Manchester, bar one, Oldham Werneth, where Labour failed to field a candidate due to a last minute defection. His team were pleased with the result it was ‘a pretty bloody remarkable result’ to secure 63% of the vote for a third term. In his acceptance speech Burnham reiterated his commitment to the ‘new politics’ of place before party, and said: “For...…Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram were both re-elected comfortably as Metro Mayors for their third terms, though on lower turnouts. A breakdown of the results is likely to reveal that Burnham won 214 out of 215 council wards in Greater Manchester, bar one, Oldham Werneth, where Labour failed to field a candidate due to a last minute defection. His team were pleased with the result it was ‘a pretty bloody remarkable result’ to secure 63% of the vote for a third term. In his acceptance speech Burnham reiterated his commitment to the ‘new politics’ of place before party, and said: “For...WW…

One of the UK’s largest suppliers of specialist vehicle hire to local authorities and the private sector has been sold in a pre-pack deal, saving 116 jobs. Go Plant Limited and Go Plant Fleet Services, which are based in Bardon Hill, Leicestershire, had posted a notice of intention to appoint administrators via law firm Squire Patton Boggs last Thursday (May 2). Then, on Friday afternoon Mike Denny and Jonny Marston of professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal Europe were appointed as joint administrators of the firms. The pair completed the sale of a number of depots owned by Go...…One of the UK’s largest suppliers of specialist vehicle hire to local authorities and the private sector has been sold in a pre-pack deal, saving 116 jobs. Go Plant Limited and Go Plant Fleet Services, which are based in Bardon Hill, Leicestershire, had posted a notice of intention to appoint administrators via law firm Squire Patton Boggs last Thursday (May 2). Then, on Friday afternoon Mike Denny and Jonny Marston of professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal Europe were appointed as joint administrators of the firms. The pair completed the sale of a number of depots owned by Go...WW…

David Skaith has been declared the winner in the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority mayoral election. Skaith, who ran unsuccessfully for Labour as a City of York councillor in May 2023, presents himself as a small businessman rather than a career politician. He owns men’s and children’s clothing shop Winston’s of York, and chaired the York High Street Forum. After he was declared winner at the count at Harrogate Convention Centre, he said, “We’ve got a great opportunity to bring York and North Yorkshire together and really grow as one collectively. The message is clear from York...…David Skaith has been declared the winner in the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority mayoral election. Skaith, who ran unsuccessfully for Labour as a City of York councillor in May 2023, presents himself as a small businessman rather than a career politician. He owns men’s and children’s clothing shop Winston’s of York, and chaired the York High Street Forum. After he was declared winner at the count at Harrogate Convention Centre, he said, “We’ve got a great opportunity to bring York and North Yorkshire together and really grow as one collectively. The message is clear from York...WW…

Nelson-based telecoms group, Daisy, is to combine with West Midlands business Wavenet to form a £500m-turnover group employing around 2,000 staff, supporting in excess of 22,000 customers. The deal will see Solihull-based Wavenet’s existing private equity partner, Macquarie Capital Principal Finance, become the largest shareholder with Daisy Group chairman, Matthew Riley, and other existing Daisy shareholders, retaining a minority stake in the business. Matthew Riley will join the board of the enlarged business as a non-executive director. This backing provides a strong balance sheet and...…Nelson-based telecoms group, Daisy, is to combine with West Midlands business Wavenet to form a £500m-turnover group employing around 2,000 staff, supporting in excess of 22,000 customers. The deal will see Solihull-based Wavenet’s existing private equity partner, Macquarie Capital Principal Finance, become the largest shareholder with Daisy Group chairman, Matthew Riley, and other existing Daisy shareholders, retaining a minority stake in the business. Matthew Riley will join the board of the enlarged business as a non-executive director. This backing provides a strong balance sheet and...WW…