BT head of pensions speaks at Deloitte pensions seminar

Kevin O'Boyle (left), BT head of pensions, with Andrew Mewis from Deloitte

Companies need to do more to make it easier for employees to save for retirement, according to BT’s head of pensions, Kevin O’Boyle.

Mr O’Boyle, who was speaking at a Deloitte pensions breakfast seminar in Birmingham, said it is an individual employee’s responsibility to put enough away for retirement, but employers can facilitate this by making it easy for them to save.

Amey launches International Design Hub and announces technical apprentice programme

Amey apprentices, Ruth Gregory, Sean Daly and Rebecca Fasham with Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby and Amey CEO Mel Ewell at the launch of Amey’s new International Design Hub in Birmingham.

Public services provider Amey officially launched its new International Design Hub in Birmingham last night and pledged its commitment to helping local young people by launching a new technical apprentice programme.

The Hub, in Colmore Plaza, was opened by Amey chief executive Mel Ewell and the leader of Birmingham City Council, Mike Whitby, at a special event attended by the city’s senior business, political and public sector figures.

Three quarters of ‘Woolies’ stores snapped up in the Midlands

One year on from Woolworths’ demise, take-up of the former store’s retail outlets in the Midlands has reached 75 per cent, according to latest research from CB Richard Ellis.

Of the 154 stores in the region, around 115 are now either let or under offer – an increase of nine per cent since the research was last carried out in the summer. The majority of stores (55 per cent) have been occupied by discount retailers, followed by grocery and fashion stores (both 17 per cent) and other retail outlets (12 per cent).

Deloitte green company car scheme wins industry awards

The employment taxes group at Deloitte has won two prizes at this year’s Pay Awards.

CVA secures future for Your Space PLC

The future of serviced offices provider Your Space PLC, which has offices in Willenhall, in the Black Country, looks secure after the terms of a proposed company voluntary arrangement (CVA) were approved yesterday. 

Members and creditors of the Group, which includes Workspace (North West Limited) and Your Space (UK) Limited, overwhelmingly voted in favour of the CVA proposal.

50 year olds facing five year pension wait

Individuals currently aged between 50 and 54 risk having to wait up to an extra five years before being able to access their pension benefits, a Birmingham pensions expert has warned.

New rules, which take effect from 6 April 2010, will see the minimum retirement age from which individuals can start drawing from their private pension benefits increasing from 50 to 55. 

Barteak on a roll with Barloworld letting

Activity at Avon House, in Solihull, has stepped up a gear with the letting to global logistics company Barloworld.

Just weeks after announcing its fifth tenant at the building, Barteak Developments has secured another high-profile occupier.

Your Space Plc announces CVA plan

Serviced offices provider Your Space PLC has announced that it has finalised the terms of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in a bid to secure the company’s long-term future.

The directors of the group, which includes Workspace (North West Limited) and Your Space (UK) Limited, have appointed Daniel Butters and Bill Dawson of business advisory firm Deloitte as joint Nominees.

St Philips Point secures 17,000 sq ft of new lettings

St Philips Point

A joint venture between Patron Capital Partners and Princeton Investments has let 17,600 sq ft at the St Philips Point office scheme in central Birmingham.

Solicitors Weightmans have extended their occupation of the building to  more than 23,000 sq ft with the acquisition of an additional 8,600 sq ft on the newly refurbished third floor; the firm has also extended its  commitment to the building for another ten  years.

Birmingham’s hotel market suffers

Birmingham’s hotels are continuing to struggle, according to the latest research from business advisory firm Deloitte.

The results of its hotel survey show occupancy levels in the city’s hotels for the year-to-September at just 62.8 per cent.