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Top Story
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Top Midlands accountant in "financial irregularities" probe
The executive chairman of one of the Midlands' best-known accountancy practices, Wenham Major's John Joyce, is under investigation by his own business over alleged "financial irregularities". The business, which is based in Birmingham and has a major office in Leicester, confirmed it is conducting an inquiry into its Wenham Major Private Client arm, which deals with high net worth clients, helped by lawyers and forensic accountants. However, clients' money was said not to be involved. It stressed that police are not involved. Insider was unable to contact Joyce as this email was sent. Wenham Major's chief executive, Ammar Azam, said the firm intended to issue proceedings against Joyce, adding that the major part of the accountancy was not implicated in the inquiry.
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A&L chairman dies
Sir Derek Higgs, who played a major role in getting Coventry's landmark Ricoh Arena built, has died. He was 64. Sir Derek, the chairman of Alliance and Leicester bank, helped save the stadium project when the Alan Higgs Trust - named after his developer father - invested some £6.5m in the scheme, allowing it to go ahead. Sir Derek Higgs was highly influential in the City and the author of the 2002 report on corporate governance, strengthening the role of non-executive directors in FTSE companies. He described many boards as "pale and male". 
Another uni unites with Mercia
Mercia Technology Seed Fund, the £13m fund that invests in young technology ventures in the West Midlands, has completed its second closing with investment from Keele University. The fund now has investment from eight of the region's universities, with Aston, Birmingham, Birmingham City, Coventry, Staffordshire, Warwick and Wolverhampton. Since its launch in March 2007, the fund has invested in seven businesses.
What about the workers?
Government should concentrate on developing the workforce rather than filling vacancies with immigrant employees, according to Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In a response to a consultation from the government's new Migration Advisory Committee, the chamber says if vacancies cannot be filled locally then the government should support businesses that recruit from abroad.
London direct
A direct train route from Shropshire and Walsall has been launched. The Wrexham and Shropshire will run five services a day from Shrewsbury, Telford and Walsall to the capital. It is the first direct route from Shropshire since Virgin axed its service four years ago.
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Shropshire and Staffs solicitors to splice
Law firms Manby Steward Bowdler and FBC have tied the knot to create FBC Manby Bowdler. The merger of near-equals creates a regional practice of over 300 people with offices in Wolverhampton, Willenhall, Telford, Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth. Its work will include commercial, private client and personal injury.
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Go-ahead for £80m West Brom college
Regeneration plans for West Bromwich town centre moved closer with planning consent granted for the £80m Sandwell College. The 250,000 sq ft flagship college will be one of the first regeneration projects in the heart of the town. It will see three current campuses combined on three acres of brownfield land on Spon Lane accommodating some 10,000 students and up to 500 staff members. Construction is expected to start in late 2008, with completion for the 2010 academic year. The existing campuses will stay open until the new college opens.
Pritchard proposes Plaza scheme
Pritchard Group has submitted planning applications for Citygate Plaza, a scheme expected to create some 2,000 jobs in Wolverhampton. Following long discussions with the city council, the developer has submitted an application for the former Citygate Park site on the A449 as a northern gateway to the city. The-12 acre site will include a hotel, offices, self-storage space and an Aston Martin car showroom.
New maps for old
A new map that redefines the boundaries of Birmingham city centre office market has been launched by the city's office agents. The map, by Birmingham Office Market Forum, reflects the rapidly expanding city centre and will be used as a definitive reference for those looking to invest in Birmingham. The boundaries of the "new centre" are expanded from the Colmore Row area to follow the route of the former middle ring road taking in the Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth, Edgbaston and Hagley Road.
New plans for Natwest site
British Land has revealed plans for a 35-storey tower to replace the eyesore Natwest Tower in Birmingham city centre. If the company gets planning permission the 440 ft development, to be built at cost of reportedly £160m, could generate 2,500 jobs. The agent will be Savills.
Making waves at Trentham Lakes
Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration, the joint venture between St Modwen Properties and Stoke City Council, has sold two investments on its 400-acre Trentham Lakes development to a local investor for £780,000. Chambers Estates has bought a 5,050 sq ft industrial unit on Trentham Trade Park let to Eurocell Building Plastics on a ten-year lease. It has also acquired a 2,300 sq ft office building in Trentham Business Quarter let to T&T Consultancy on a ten-year lease.
Permission for P100
Sladen Estates and Peveril Securities are to develop a warehouse incorporating traditional materials like cedar and reducing the building's environmental impact. Following planning permission, P100, a 100,557 sq ft warehouse and industrial unit will be built on Brook Park, the 93-acre former Shirebrook Colliery near Mansfield. It will have a minimum environmental Breeam âVery Good Rating' with roof lights, rainwater harvesting and solar water heating.
Cobra boss opens business village
The founder of the Cobra beer empire, Lord Bilimoria, has opened the Business Village at Staffordshire University. The campus-based facility is home to 54 companies, employing more than 250 people, working in the creative, professional, leisure and educational sectors.
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Controversial pottery boss quits
The chief executive of Royal Doulton, Wayne Nutbeen, is to step down. The former England rugby union international player has been at the helm of the company for ten years, during which time its presence in Staffordshire has shrunk from employing 4,000 people to just a handful - Doulton's last Stoke factory closed in 2005 - and during which it was taken over by rival Wedgwood. In the statement Nutbeen said: "Having managed the integration of Royal Doulton and Wedgwood, and led the modernisation of the Royal Doulton brand. I am leaving the group in a substantially better position than when I started."
Calling Doctor Yip
Birmingham businessman Wing Yip, the man behind Britain's biggest Chinese grocery group, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University to mark his contribution to the city. He arrived from Hong Kong in 1959, working in and owning restaurants until setting up the first Wing Yip store in Nechells in 1970. New developments in Nottingham and Cardiff are planned for 2008.
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