Loss-making firm taken
over in ?7 million deal
by business staff
A WARRINGTON firm which started as a one-man operation 33 years ago has agreed to be taken over by a US company in a deal which values it at ?7 million.
Ironically, legal services firm James R Knowles, based at Daresbury Park, lost ?41,000 last year, despite turning over more than ?30 million.
The company trades in the US, Hong Kong, Australia, the UAE and Qatar.
It has 15 offices across the UK, in addition to the head office at Daresbury.
James R Knowles was founded by Roger Knowles in 1973 as a one-man operation.
It now employs lawyers, architects, surveyors, loss adjusters and other professionals.
Mr Knowles, who is company chairman, announced last year that he would be stepping down and seeking to sell his controlling interest in the business.
He said: ?I take great pride in the business Knowles has become. The offer from America provides the best value for shareholders.?
The company is being taken over by Hill International, one of the world?s largest construction consultancy firms, which was founded three years after Knowles but now has revenues of about ?60 million a year and employs more than 1,000 people in 26 offices worldwide.
Chairman and chief executive Irvin Richter said: ?I believe the combination of Hill and Knowles will create one of the most pre-eminent consultancies in the world, focusing on helping clients avoid and resolve construction claims and disputes.?
Knowles directors have accepted a 33p-per-share offer and chief executive Brian Quinn and finance director Charlotte Parsons will stay on under Hill.
Wolves’ star helps raise
?2,000 – playing golf
by Lesley Wilkinson
WARRINGTON Wolves hooker Michael Sullivan completed a 24-hour charity golf challenge in the scorching sunshine at Mersey Valley Golf and Country Club.
The event is expected to raise more than ?2,000 for Beth Stevenson, the six-year-old daughter of PGA professional Andy Stevenson.
Beth suffers from Rett Syndrome, a complex neurological disorder, which causes something to go wrong with the genetic makeup of the cells which form the baby. Most people with the condition suffer multiple disabilities and are highly dependent on others for support.
Mike and Andy took part in the golf marathon to raise funds for a new buggy and special play equipment for Beth, to enhance her quality of life.
During the challenge they completed six rounds and putted 108 holes. Andy and Mike teamed up against members of the golf club who came in for sessions during the event.
Andy’s wife Lisa drove the buggy and there was a support team carrying their bags, refreshments and food.
Michael said: “I’m shattered after playing 24 hours, six rounds and 108 holes, but it was worth it. I’ll be taking some time off now from playing golf to recover.
“The hardest part of it was the morning round, which started at 5am. I think I played better in the dark.?
Andy said: “Despite the tiredness it has been well worth it.”
Anyone who would like to make a donation should contact the golf club on 0151 424 6060 extension four.
Larry’s two-year
gap for illness
by John Hendon
ILLNESS caused a two year gap in Larry Richard?s studies at university.
But the 39-year-old from Warrington was determined to finish his course ? and after six years of hard work ? and becoming a father in the meantime! ? has graduated from the Padgate campus of the University of Chester with a degree in Business Management and IT.
Larry became ill after starting his course.
He said: “I was quite sick for a number of years so I had to take a break from my studies and as such I lost contact with the majority of students with who I had started the degree.
“Luckily when I came back I found that my new fellow students were a friendly group and I soon settled back in.”
Just before Larry found out about his illness he was overjoyed to become a proud father.
He said “I was blessed with a son during my time at university so I certainly have had some ups and downs! Without the support of my tutors I am not sure how I would have coped.”
Larry, a finance assistant, is now looking forward to spending time enjoying family life.
Arsonists set car
alight – twice!
by David Skentelbery
ARSONISTS set fire to a car on a transporter vehicle at Warrington – and then returned to set it alight a second time after fire crews had extinghished the first blaze.
The fire was in Harryngton Avenue, Bewsey in the early hours of this morning.
Fire crews raced to the scene after being alerted to the blaze and found the car well alight on the back of the transporter.
They soon extinguished the flames and returned to the fire station – only to be alerted again when the car was torched a second time.
A spokesman said on the second occasion the arsonists placed a can of petrol near to the car.
Serious damage was caused to the car and the transporter.
Charity launches new
user-friendly website
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON-based charity that helps parents of children with clubfoot has made its website more user-friendly.
The charity Steps, of Warrington Road, Lymm, was initiated in 1980 by Sue Banton after her son Daniel was born with club feet. It became a registered charity eight years later and now helps more than 2,000 families a year.
New research shows that parents of children with the condition, rely more on the Internet for information than they do on GPs, midwife or hospital according to the charity. It has now redesigned its website to accommodate the needs of parents.
Research by Steps in March showed that 63 per cent of parents turned to the Internet for information about their child’s condition. They also used websites to find emotional support from other parents through discussion forums and chatrooms.
The new website, crated by Warrington based website design and development company Carpe Diem, provides features such as a news section, discussion forum and extensive information about lower limb conditions and treatments. It is planned that the website will also allow parents to access information about doctors specialising in paediatric orthopaedic surgery.
Sue, director of Steps, said: “It is important that parents have quick and easy access to informed information and advice when their child is diagnosed with a lower limb condition. We have prioritised the redesign of our website to make it easier to navigate for even the most novice web user.
“Parent feedback showed that interacting with other parents is very important. Our members rely on other members for emotional support, information and inspiration. Our discussion forum is high priority in the new design.?
The new-look website is www.steps-charity.org.uk For more information about Carpe Diem please visit www.cd-inc.co.uk
Mother’s fundraiser for
charities who helped her
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON woman who lost a baby due to a miscarriage is planning a fundraising night to support the charities that helped her cope with her grief.
Gemma Antell, 23, and her husband Stephen of Dove Close, Birchwood, faced a miscarriage in 2004. At the 12-week scan they were told their baby had not survived.
The couple now have a nine-months-old baby daughter Lily, and are coming to terms with their loss.
Gemma is organising a pampering party, supported by a beauty company, at St Oswald’s Parish Club, off Padgate Lane, Warrington on Tuesday August 8. Commission from sales will be donated by the company, there will be a ?1 donation on the door and a raffle to raise funds.
Money raised will be divided between five charities – SANDS (Stillbirth A
nd Neonatal Death Society), Antenatal Results and Choices, the Miscarriage Association, Babyloss and the Eptopic Pregnancy Trust.
Gemma said that people attending will be supporting charities that help thousands of families each day.
“Babyloss is an organisation very close to my heart and they helped me no end when I lost my baby two years ago. Now I want to give something back, as I see new people arriving looking for support all the time, which is so sad,” she said.
“I am so glad that I can now help other people who are only just starting to get over their loss, and that I can tell them there is light at the end of the tunnel, as I now have a beautiful little girl. Unfortunately my sister, Amy Cripps, is only just starting her recovery, having had a miscarriage a few weeks ago,” she added.
