Midlands mid-market private equity interest holds firm in first half of 2025

Tess Egginton
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Midlands mid-market private equity interest holds firm in first half of 2025
Mid-market private equity investment in the Midlands held firm in the first half of this year, according to KPMG UK’s mid-year private equity pulse. The mid-year study into private equity deal activity found that mid-market private equity interest in the region maintained at H1 2024 levels, with 41 deals completed. The findings come despite a backdrop of economic uncertainty, influenced by ongoing geopolitical developments and concerns surrounding the potential impact of trade tariffs. Bolt-ons remained the largest component of mid-market private equity activity across the region, making up more than half of all deals. Traditional and leveraged buyouts (LBOs) were the second largest deal type, followed by minority investments. The Midlands’ mid-market private equity interest accounted for 11% of the total mid-market private equity backing in the UK. Deal activity in the mid-market slowed down across all regions in the UK, except the South West, which experienced increased activity in terms of deal volume, compared with the first half of 2024 (28 vs 22). Stuart Sewell, head of M&A for the Midlands at KPMG UK, said: “While deal volumes remained flat in the first half of 2025, the picture is still positive in the context of a nationwide drop. “The resilience of Midlands businesses is clear, and these results show a promising sign that capital is available for regional businesses demonstrating strong management and innovation. In times of relative uncertainty, it’s no surprise that bolt-ons are prominent as investors look to back management teams that are already delivering and sectors they know. “The Midlands remains home to high-growth businesses that are still pursuing expansion, despite ongoing economic headwinds. Firms can therefore press ahead with cautious optimism, pushing for growth in the second half of the year.”

Hybrid working solutions vary by business need, says Chamber

April Lara
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Hybrid working solutions vary by business need, says Chamber

The demand for on-site work is rising, according to a recent report by the British Chambers of Commerce, with four out of ten businesses increasing their expectations for employees to return to the office. However, the East Midlands Chamber has highlighted that the future of hybrid working is not a one-size-fits-all solution, as it largely depends on the unique needs of each business.

The report reveals that 40% of businesses have increased their requirements for employees to work on-site over the past year. Additionally, 10% of businesses have seen staff resign due to the push for employees to return to the office. Meanwhile, 60% of manufacturers expect all work to be in-person within the next 12 months, while almost half of businesses anticipate a fully on-site model in the coming months.

The East Midlands Chamber emphasises that flexibility in working arrangements is crucial. Some businesses, particularly those in frontline or customer-facing roles, require employees to be on-site, while others benefit from a hybrid model that accommodates diverse working styles. Technological advancements have made it easier for businesses to manage remote tasks efficiently, offering more flexibility in structuring work.

For employers, the key challenge is balancing the need for remote and in-office work to attract and retain talent. Employees with family commitments or those who need a quieter environment for focus have found remote work appealing, while others thrive in the office, where collaboration and networking are more prevalent. As recruitment remains a challenge in the East Midlands, businesses will need to continue evaluating their hybrid work policies to ensure they meet both employee needs and business goals.

Clowes Developments named a Trust Partner of Derby County Community Trust

Tess Egginton
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Clowes Developments named a Trust Partner of Derby County Community Trust
Clowes Developments has become a Trust Partner of Derby County Community Trust, supporting its mission to deliver impactful programmes that improve lives and strengthen communities across Derbyshire. The partnership reinforces Clowes Developments’ long-standing commitment to investing in the local community and promoting positive social change. As a sponsor, Clowes will support a wide range of initiatives run by the Trust, which span health and wellbeing, education, inclusion, and sports participation. Thomas Clowes, managing director at Clowes Developments, said: “We are delighted to partner with Derby County Community Trust, an organisation whose values and impact align closely with our own. “Supporting the communities we operate in has always been important to us, and this partnership gives us the opportunity to make a real difference alongside a team that is already doing exceptional work across the region.” Derby County Community Trust deliver programmes that engage thousands of participants each year. The Trust’s initiatives include mental health support, disability sport, education and resources to help young people access training and employment opportunities. Chris Tomlinson, head of business development at Derby County Community Trust, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Clowes Developments on board as a Trust Partner. For the last few years Clowes have supported the Trust as headline sponsor of the Black & White Fundraising Ball. “Individuals from the Group have backed volunteering projects including The Community Meals Programme and Rams In Kenya. Their continued support will play a valuable role in helping us continue to reach and support people across Derbyshire, and we look forward to working together over the coming year.” This partnership adds to Clowes’ wider Environmental Social Governance (ESG) strategy, which includes sponsorships, charitable giving, and long-term support for regional development and volunteering.

Walkers factories face restructuring plans, job uncertainty looms

April Lara
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Walkers factories face restructuring plans, job uncertainty looms

PepsiCo has announced plans to restructure its operations at Walkers’ key manufacturing sites, sparking concerns over potential job losses. The company is consulting on changes at its Leicester, Coventry, Lincoln, and Skelmersdale facilities, but the number of jobs affected remains unclear.

PepsiCo confirmed that no decisions would be made without consulting employees and their representatives. The company emphasized that the restructuring aimed to align its UK operations with the structure of other international sites, improving operational efficiency and technical capabilities.

The changes come after a series of recent investments in Walkers’ facilities, including £24m in Lincoln, £58m in Leicester, and £13m in Coventry, to enhance production capacity and meet growing consumer demand. These investments underscore PepsiCo’s ongoing commitment to its UK operations, despite the proposed changes to its workforce.

Unite, the union representing workers, has vowed to protect jobs during the consultation process, with plans to negotiate against compulsory redundancies and secure fair severance packages. The union’s involvement signals the significant impact these restructuring efforts could have on the workforce across the affected sites.

A PepsiCo UK spokesperson said: “We recently told our teams that we will be consulting on proposed changes to our operational structure, affecting a proportion of employees at our snacks manufacturing sites in the UK. No decisions will be made without first consulting affected employees and their representatives. Our priority is providing support for our people throughout this process. “The changes being proposed are intended to bring our UK sites in line with a different operating structure we have had success with at some of our other international sites, leading to better ways of working and increased technical capabilities.”

Pub company swoops for popular Leicestershire site

Tess Egginton
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Pub company swoops for popular Leicestershire site
The Shires Inn in the village of Peatling Parva has been sold to a growing pub company. Located between Leicester, Lutterworth and Market Harborough, The Shires Inn is a large, family-friendly pub, well-known locally for its carvery, curry nights, and fresh British food. The pub is a popular choice for residents in the surrounding villages as well as visitors to the Leicestershire countryside. Having been in the hospitality industry for many years, and at the helm of the pub for over 30 years, the pub’s joint owners now wish to start new ventures of their own and hand the reins over to a new owner. Following a sales process with Jonty Green at Christie & Co, The Shires Inn has been sold to Roseacre Pub Company, which already runs ten pubs across the Midlands. They plan to continue the success of The Shires whilst introducing a new food menu and enhancing the décor throughout the pub. Ash Gartshore of Roseacre Pub Company said: “As a regular customer of The Shires for over 20 years, I’ve watched it trade successfully throughout that time. We already operate four other pubs in the area, so when the opportunity arose to acquire The Shires, I immediately knew it would be the perfect addition to the Roseacre Collection. “We are currently investing around £500,000 into a full-scale renovation of the site. This includes fully updated toilets, a brand-new restaurant space, two carvery decks, and a premium resin patio area with a fire pit, all of which will give The Shires a fresh new look while retaining its much-loved character.” Former owners Phillippa and Andy said: “After nearly 30 wonderful years at The Shires Inn, the time has come for us to close this chapter. We have loved every second of our time here, and over the years we’ve been truly blessed with the most loyal customers. “To our incredible staff, past and present, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You have been more than colleagues, you all became family. Your hard work, humour, loyalty and hearts are what made The Shires more than just a workplace. “As we closed the door for the final time, it felt peaceful and right. We are excited to see what the next chapter holds, not only for The Shires, but also for ourselves, as we head off down different paths and journeys. We wish Ashley, Michael and our old Team Shires family all the best for their future and could not have wished for a better team than them to carry on our legacy.” Jonty Green, business agent at Christie & Co, added: “The Shires is a landmark pub in the local area, and the interest that its sale generated has been significant, with many publicans interested. “The Shires is an excellent example of how a dry-led pub can be successful and achieve fantastic results. We look forward to seeing it continue to thrive under the stewardship of Roseacre Pub Company.” The pub was marketed with an asking price of £1,500,000 and sold at an undisclosed price.

Stepnell appoints strategic director

Tess Egginton
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Stepnell appoints strategic director
Stepnell has appointed Mike Smedley as strategic director as it commits to expanding the group’s specialist construction services. Operating across all of Stepnell’s geography, Mike brings more than three decades of experience with major national contractors. He has a proven track record in building high-performing teams and business units, having most recently served as managing director at Brymor Group Southern. His career also includes senior roles at Geoffrey Osborne, Kier, and VolkerFitzpatrick. A chartered quantity surveyor (MRICS) and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB), Mike will apply his expertise in business planning, risk management, tendering, and operational leadership to support the development of Stepnell’s specialist divisions into independent business lines. These include Step Energy, Lawford Bespoke Joinery, plant and fleet services, concrete repairs, and a new CCTV offering currently in development. Mike said: “This is an exciting opportunity to drive the growth of Stepnell’s wider business portfolio. Working closely with the senior leaders of each division, my aim is to help shape these services into self-sufficient, stand-alone units with strong management structures – capable of delivering outstanding service and commercial performance nationwide, in line with Stepnell’s complete construction approach.” Tom Wakeford, managing director at Stepnell, added: “Mike’s leadership and depth of experience in building regional and national teams will be a huge enabler as we expand our project capabilities and become even more responsive to our customers’ needs for specialist services. “His proven ability to develop and grow business units aligns perfectly with our ambition to create resilient, service-led operations across the business – rooted in strong leadership and mentoring, innovation, and collaboration.”

Colton Packaging appoints experienced business development manager

Tess Egginton
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Colton Packaging appoints experienced business development manager
Colton Packaging, a Loughborough-based distributor of corrugated packaging solutions, has appointed Cora Montgomery as its new business development manager for the Midlands region. With nearly a decade of experience in the packaging industry, Cora brings a wealth of expertise and proven success in customer relationship management, strategic growth and bespoke packaging solutions. In this newly created role, Cora will focus on expanding Colton Packaging’s customer base throughout the Midlands, developing strategic partnerships and supporting clients with innovative and sustainable corrugated packaging. “We’re excited to welcome Cora to the team,” said director Duncan Smith. “Cora’s extensive industry knowledge and track record in driving business development will be instrumental in strengthening our presence in the Midlands and helping our customers achieve smarter, more efficient packaging outcomes.” Cora previously held key commercial roles with another packaging distributor, where she consistently exceeded growth targets and built long-term relationships across multiple sectors. “I initially was interested in Colton Packaging, as I was looking to take the next step in my career. They have a great reputation in the industry for being a long-standing family business. “From my first interview I could tell that Colton Packaging is a company that are really invested in seeing their team grow and succeed, I knew that I could continue to further my career here and have the company’s support and investment in my development.”

Local housing association joins Future Homes Hub

Tess Egginton
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Local housing association joins Future Homes Hub
A Midlands housing association has become a member of the Future Homes Hub, a collaborative initiative driving progress in the homebuilding and social housing sectors to deliver high quality, sustainable homes. By working alongside developers, suppliers, housing providers and government, the Future Homes Hub addresses the practical challenges of climate change, resource efficiency, biodiversity and customer wellbeing. Joining the Hub marks another step forward in Platform’s ambition to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a core objective of its corporate strategy. The partnership will also strengthen Platform’s ability to measure and monitor whole life carbon in its developments, providing essential insight into the environmental impact of each home over time. Platform will collaborate through the Future Homes Hub on trailblazing initiatives such as Homes for Nature, which aims to embed biodiversity and nature recovery into housing developments, creating communities where people and nature flourish together. Elizabeth Froude, chief executive of Platform Housing Group and member of the Future Homes Hub’s Board, said: “We know that the homes and communities we build and manage today will shape future generations. That’s why it’s essential we collaborate, share knowledge and lead with purpose. “The Future Homes Hub provides a vital forum to accelerate innovation and action across the housing sector and I’m proud to have been part of its journey since day one. At Platform we are deeply committed to reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity and delivering homes that are not only affordable but truly sustainable.” Ed Lockhart, CEO at Future Homes Hub, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Platform Housing Group to the Future Homes Hub. Achieving sustainable growth in new homes is essential to meeting the UK’s housing needs while tackling the climate and environmental challenges of the 21st century and housing associations have a vital role to play. “Platform’s expertise in developing and managing high quality, sustainable homes will be a valuable asset to the new homes community as we work together to meet the sector’s climate and environmental goals and create great places for people to live.”

Loughborough University experts shape ethical guidelines for national digital twinning strategy

April Lara
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Loughborough University experts shape ethical guidelines for national digital twinning strategy

Loughborough University academics have played a crucial role in developing an ethical framework for the UK’s National Digital Twin Programme (NDTP). This framework marks a key step in the government’s initiative to expand national digital twinning capabilities, first introduced by HM Treasury in 2018. The programme aims to establish a robust infrastructure for digital twin technologies, which are virtual models of physical objects, systems, or processes. These models use real-time data connections to help policymakers make informed decisions by simulating various scenarios.

The ethical framework, developed by a group of leading experts, addresses the emerging challenges of integrating digital twinning into public policy and governance. The guidelines focus on principles such as inclusive growth, human-centred values, and ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability. These principles aim to ensure that digital twinning technologies contribute to sustainable development and the well-being of society.

The technical working group, including Loughborough University’s Professors Tom Jackson and Ian Hodgkinson, emphasised the importance of ensuring that digital twins remain secure, robust, and ethically sound. As the programme progresses, further development of these principles will be essential to guide the evolving technology in ways that support long-term societal goals.

Rural businesses in North West Leicestershire offered £140,000 in grants

April Lara
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Rural businesses in North West Leicestershire offered £140,000 in grants

The North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) is opening the application window for the 2025 Rural Business Grant Programme, offering a total of £140,699 to support small businesses in rural areas. Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) under the Rural England Prosperity Fund, the programme helps businesses invest in growth, tourism, carbon-reducing technologies, or farm diversification.

Grants ranging from £1,000 to £15,000 will be available, with recipients required to match at least 50% of the funding. Applications are now open until 31 October 2025, and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. All projects must be completed and claimed by 31 January 2026.

Eligible businesses, companies, and partnerships within North West Leicestershire are encouraged to apply. Full details, including eligibility criteria and application instructions, can be found on the NWLDC website.

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