E-commerce retailer MuscleFood is under new ownership with former CEO Nick Preston and business partner Ross Carlin taking full control of the brand. The duo have brought MuscleFood into their suite of businesses alongside The Good Food Group and several other brands after closing the deal just three days after agreeing to buy the company. The new group of companies constitutes one of the largest health nutrition brands in the UK and the biggest to be headquartered in Nottinghamshire. MuscleFood currently employs 85 people and the new owners are committed to delivering future growth. Nick Preston and Ross Carlin acquired MuscleFood for an undisclosed sum, from previous owners The GPS Food Group, in a deal which also saw the writing-off of much of the brand’s debt. Their arrival has already boosted morale with trading revenue up by 37% in their first week compared to the previous week. Nick Preston has a long history with MuscleFood having been on board since the early days of the company in 2014, with a variety of roles including spells as co-CEO and CEO. He left the business in September 2024 but has now returned as co-owner with Ross Carlin, founder of The Good Food Group. Both Nick and Ross are committed to elevating every aspect of the business starting with customer service and communication before focusing on the product offer. They’re already assembling a senior management team including several former MuscleFood executives. Nick said: “It’s fantastic to return to MuscleFood and we’re both incredibly proud to be the owners. MuscleFood has a history of being such an innovative business and it’s inspired so many entrepreneurs to launch their own brands over the years. “I’m really proud of the work the team here have done and we are looking forward to elevating the offer once again and bringing back that spirit of innovation which made MuscleFood such a leader in the market. “I have been associated with MuscleFood since pretty much the start so it seems poignant to come full circle and return as co-owner. “Walking back into the office on the first day was something of a pinch myself moment, particularly because the entire deal had been completed so quickly, with the paperwork signed just three days after the opportunity was first presented. “I’m grateful for all the work the previous owners and board did and for the opportunity we have been given to come in and effectively make a fresh start and begin a whole new chapter for MuscleFood.” Co-owner Ross Carlin said it was exciting to be able to bring Musclefood into a group of companies including The Good Food Group, which he founded. The Good Food Group is an official supply partner to major UK retailers such as Boots, Superdrug and Holland & Barrett, helping them to drive innovation within their businesses. Ross Carlin said: “We want to show the world who MuscleFood is. The brand made its name through innovating the industry so it sits very well alongside The Good Food Group which is also known for innovation. “It’s early days but we have already started work on a new customer service improvement plan to make sure our customers get the best service possible. There’s so much potential for growth. “We will be elevating everything about the brand in terms of quality, service and communication. Persistence beats resistance and we will deliver what we say we will deliver. “MuscleFood has a great history of innovation within the food industry but we are definitely planning forward, not looking back.”

East Midlands Airport has unveiled a new state-of-the-art training academy, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing operations and service quality. Located adjacent to the airport’s main administrative building, the facility is designed to accommodate 68 learners at a time, with dedicated spaces for in-person and remote training.

The training academy is part of a £120m investment programme at the airport and features four training rooms, a remote learning space, and facilities for staff, including a new kitchen and rest area. The academy’s primary focus is on training airport staff in areas such as security, customer services, landside and airfield operations, with courses also available for partner organisations working at the airport.

The in-house training team runs refresher courses for existing employees as well as onboarding sessions for new recruits. Core modules include customer service training, security protocols, and the use of advanced equipment, such as the next-generation scanning systems in the airport’s updated security hall. These improvements enable passengers to keep electronics and liquids in their cabin bags during screening.

This move is part of the airport’s broader strategy to maintain top-tier service and safety standards, ensuring that both staff and passengers benefit from a seamless, efficient travel experience.

With nominations set to close on Friday 15th August for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, Leicester businesses are being encouraged to enter the prestigious event. Mike Denby, Director for Inward Investment and Place at Invest In Leicester, said: “The East Midlands Bricks Awards are a great way to highlight the innovation and high standards of Leicester and Leicestershire’s construction industry, a sector that we are incredibly proud of. “That’s why Invest in Leicester is encouraging all our partners and businesses to get involved, as celebrating these achievements will motivate future projects that will ultimately benefit our residents and the wider economy.” The East Midlands Bricks Awards, which will take place on Thursday 2nd October at Nottingham’s famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrates the successes of the property and construction industry in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire. Entering a company or project for the awards is a great way to showcase your successes, recognise your team’s efforts, bolster morale, and reach our audience of over 60,000 business readers, while also offering a chance to connect with respected professionals. It’s completely free to enter and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the awards ceremony and networking event on Thursday 2nd October, which will welcome Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, as keynote speaker. Take this chance to spotlight exceptional new commercial and residential developments, those demonstrating a leading position in sustainability and design excellence; gain recognition as outstanding developers, architects, contractors, and agents, as well as for significant deals; and ensure efforts in corporate social responsibility are rewarded, from eco initiatives to charity work, to social value schemes.

To make a nomination for the 10th annual East Midlands Bricks Awards, please click here, or on the category headings below.

Categories include:

• Contractor of the Year
• Developer of the Year
• Architects of the Year
• Most Active Agent
• Deal of the Year
• Residential Development of the Year
• Sustainable Development of the Year
• Commercial Development of the Year
• Excellence in Design
• Responsible Business of the Year
• Overall Winner

All finalists will have the chance to take home the Overall Winner award, which this year comes with a grand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.

Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, click here to secure yours.

Connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the exceptional companies and projects in our region.

New for this year, all entrants will also have the opportunity to be featured on our dedicated nominee showcase on the East Midlands Business Link website, providing space for marketing your achievements.

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:                                                                        

To be held at:

The UK Government has confirmed that a winding-up order has been issued for NRS Healthcare, a prominent supplier of community healthcare equipment. This follows reports of the company’s financial instability and imminent compulsory liquidation. The court has appointed the Official Receiver, Gareth Jonathan Allen, as Liquidator, with assistance from PwC’s Mark James Tobias Banfield and other Special Managers to support the process.

NRS Healthcare, which employed around 1,500 staff and provided essential healthcare equipment to the NHS and over 40 councils across England and Northern Ireland, is now under liquidation. The company supplied products such as wheelchairs, hoists, hospital beds, and fall-monitoring pendants, alongside offering maintenance and repair services.

The Official Receiver has a duty to investigate the cause of NRS Healthcare’s financial difficulties and the actions of its directors. Customers and suppliers affected by the liquidation are advised to contact the Special Managers to register as creditors and submit their claims for any unpaid goods or services.

With the liquidation process underway, stakeholders are urged to complete the necessary documentation to ensure their claims are processed.

Two hospitals in Northamptonshire are set to reduce their workforce by up to 800 positions as part of a cost-cutting strategy. The University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN), which includes Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals, announced it is pursuing a Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS) aimed at reducing salaries and overall operational expenses.

The voluntary resignation programme has already led to the departure of 329 staff members, with the remaining 450 expected to leave over the coming months. The scheme is designed to lower workforce costs without directly impacting patient care, as employees in patient-facing roles are excluded from the scheme.

The hospitals have confirmed that the plan, which aims to save significant sums in wages and agency costs, is progressing ahead of schedule. While this initiative is part of a broader effort to cut costs amid increasing financial pressure on the NHS, the trade union UNISON has expressed concerns that these job cuts may exacerbate existing pressures on the healthcare system.

With staffing costs making up about 60% of the hospitals’ annual expenditure, UHN is focused on reducing its workforce as part of its broader strategy to manage financial sustainability without sacrificing care quality.