Nottingham-based biodiversity consultancy doubles in 18 months
Boutique conservation consultancy, Biodiversify, has expanded to 18 members of staff.
Founded in 2018 by Dr Samuel Sinclair and Dr Michael Burgass, the team has doubled in size over the last eighteen months.
The start-up made its very first hire – of expert Associate Director for Research and Development, Dr Cecilia Larrossa – less than four years ago to support clients such as luxury brand Kering and sustainable construction leaders, Holcim.
Joining the team as Principal Consultant this year is Cristina Secades, who previously worked for conservation NGO, BirdLife International. An experienced corporate sustainability specialist, Cristina will be leading on the development of Biodiversify’s mining supply chain strategy.
The firm’s suite of consultants has expanded with the addition of both Dr Stefanie Kaupa and Dr Beth Robinson. The pair will support on the implementation of companies’ biodiversity strategies.
Jack Jarvie and Joanne Crighton also join the Nottingham-based consultancy to fill the role of Data Analyst and Head of Finance.
To support the growth of its clientele and its team, Catherine Bryan and Nigel Verdon have been appointed as the first board advisors for the boutique conservation consultancy.
Catherine provides a wealth of governance experience from the environment philanthropy sector, as well as having a particular interest in shifting finance sector flows away from activities harmful to biodiversity and climate.
Bringing more than 28 years’ experience as the CEO and founder of several fintech companies, including Currency Cloud which was sold to Visa, Nigel will support Biodiversify to launch NatureSearch. One of the first platforms on the market, the tool will help property developers understand Biodiversity Net Gain planning requirements and overcome data barriers to make informed decisions for nature.
Samuel Sinclair, Co-Founder and Director at Biodiversify, said: “Over the past five years we’ve witnessed the business undergo meteoric growth.
“Some of the brightest, most passionate, and dedicated minds in biodiversity and conservation science have joined us at Biodiversify to provide the expert advice that is needed to help the private sector understand and improve their relationship with nature.”
Leicestershire charity gets keys to new purpose-built day centre
Local charity Bright Hope in North West Leicestershire (formerly Hospice Hope) has taken possession of Bright Hope House, its new, purpose-built daycare centre.
The facility in Swannington has been funded by Bloor Homes as part of its support for local charities. The 6,000 sq ft centre has two complementary therapy rooms, counselling rooms, a quiet room, a workshop for hobbies and training / technical facilities. It also has commercial kitchen facilities, a dining room and lounge and a conference room and offices.
The new centre can accommodate up to 24 people in day care for three days a week, where guests can enjoy daily activities and a hot meal at lunchtime. It will also host a wide range of services provided by Bright Hope and its partner organisations.
North West Leicestershire District Council has provided the charity with a 150-year lease on the land at a peppercorn rent, so it can call the building home for many years to come.
Allison Thomas, Chief Executive of North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “It was a great honour to lay one of the first bricks in this very special building.
“The charity means so much to the local community with all the good work it does for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. It’s exciting to see the building completed and is a great example of what can be achieved when private, public and voluntary organisations work together.”
Bright Hope House is operational and intends to have a grand opening this summer.
The charity provides daycare, counselling, befriending and complementary therapy for people with life-limiting conditions, allowing carers to take a well-earned break. It offers similar services at its three support cafes in Ashby, Whitwick and Ibstock. A dedicated team of more than 60 active and experienced volunteers support the charity and its service users.
Stewart Shepherd, Bright Hope’s Chair of Trustees, said: “This wonderful collaboration between the council, Bloor Homes and our charity is unique. It enables Bright Hope to develop and build on all we have learned and achieved over the past 20 years.
“The need for our services continues to grow and develop. We look forward to meeting that need now that Bright Hope House is open, when we’ll be looking to work with the community and local businesses to support this excellent initiative.”
Aggregate Industries appoints new Managing Director for Concrete Products division
Aggregate Industries has appointed Ian Dean to lead its Concrete Products division.
He joins the building materials supplier as Managing Director of the division and will be part of the company’s Executive Committee.
Concrete Products encompasses the company’s concrete blocks, walling and roofing products as well as its Charcon commercial landscaping arm and its Bradstone domestic landscaping business.
Ian started his career at Evode (now Bostik), before joining Knauf UK and progressing to become their Commercial Director for the UK & Ireland.
He was then promoted to be the UK and Ireland Managing Director. In 2020, he joined Marshalls PLC, initially leading a number of acquisition businesses before becoming Managing Director for their Landscape & Building Products division, reporting to the Group CEO.
Commenting on his new role, Ian said: “I’m delighted to have joined this fantastic organisation who are leading the way with innovative and sustainable building solutions. There are exciting times ahead for the business and for the division that I am now looking after.”
Dragan Maksimovic, Chief Executive Officer for Aggregate Industries, said: “Ian has a proven track record in developing commercial and operational excellence and from this, transforming businesses and their cultures. We are very much looking forward to him joining our Leadership Team and to him driving the strategic transformation of the division.”
Ian replaces Pete Hollingworth, who has accepted a commercial role outside of the company.
PAB Languages Centre appointed on NHS framework for translation services
PAB Languages Centre has been appointed on the North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOE CPC) framework for providing comprehensive translation, transcription, and ancillary services across all regions.
It marks a significant milestone in PAB’s commitment to supporting healthcare providers with language solutions.
Founded in the East Midlands and now operating across the UK, PAB Languages Centre was appointed for Written Translation, Transcription & Ancillary Services on the four-year framework following a rigorous and competitive tender process.
NHS Procurement in Partnership (NHS PiP) is the collaboration between four NHS procurement hubs; NHS Commercial Solutions, East of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub, NHS London Procurement Partnership (NHS LPP) and NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOE CPC).
Sara Davison, commercial manager at PAB, said: “This is fantastic news! PAB’s inclusion in the national framework signifies recognition of our expertise in dealing with the unique challenges of medical and healthcare communication. As part of the framework, PAB is excited to contribute to the NHS’s mission of providing excellent care for all patients, regardless of their linguistic background.
“Being part of this national framework is a significant endorsement of PAB’s dedication to quality and customer service excellence. It reflects the trust placed in PAB by one of the most respected healthcare systems in the world, further validating the company’s high standards and commitment to excellence in every aspect of its operations.”
Property company acquires 207,000 sq ft industrial unit near Derby
Independent property company, Hortons’ Estate Ltd, has completed a deal for a vacant 207,000 sq ft industrial/warehouse unit at an established commercial park in the East Midlands.The property is located at Sinfin Commercial Park, a multi-let industrial and logistics estate near the Rolls-Royce Sinfin campus, just two miles from Derby city centre and accessible via the A50 and M1 motorway.Formerly occupied by UK cycling distributor, Moore Large, the unit comprises office, production, showroom, and storage and distribution facilities. It is available for immediate occupation, with Hortons considering short-term flexible lease options at £2.50 per sq ft. Hortons already owns and manages 21 fully occupied warehouse units at Sinfin Commercial Park, which it purchased in a multi-million pound deal in 2023. The latest acquisition increases Hortons’ ownership to more than 30 acres, of which the company is exploring options to let or develop eight acres of open storage and development land. Jeremy Boothroyd of Hortons said: “We are very pleased to have completed the strategic acquisition of this substantial industrial/warehouse unit. The deal not only reaffirms our commitment to Sinfin Commercial Park but gives us the opportunity to remodel parts of the estate that have significant potential. We look forward to adding a new tenant to what is already a strong list of established occupiers.”
Charlotte’s finance appointment brings new dimension to Chesterfield firm
Charlotte Reynolds has joined Start Financial Planning as a finance advisor as the company seeks to expand in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
Start FP director Steve Taylor said: “I think it is important to be able to offer advice in the corporate market as many advisers are not prepared to do this. So many now focus on individual advice, leaving employers with little expertise to help provide benefits for their employees”.
He said she brought an important new dimension to the company, because although some clients were more comfortable taking to a woman, only 16% of financial advisers were female according to the Financial Conduct Authority.
Charlotte said: “Joining Start FP was a natural move for me. We share the same values. I really admire the friendly, personal, respectful service that Start offers. The client is at the forefront of everything. There are no sales targets – we are client centred.
“We’re a small but experienced team, with excellent support staff alongside the advisers. Because I’ve previously worked in different roles, I really appreciate that providing a great service to clients is not just down to one person. It’s teamwork.
“I’m looking forward to bringing a different perspective to the services we offer. Financial planning was previously a very male dominated environment and, traditionally, men have tended to handle business and family finances.
“However, women increasingly run their own businesses and personal finances and it’s important to reflect that in our industry. I have male and female clients – but it’s nice to be able to offer a choice of advisers.
“I’m also looking forward to developing the services we offer to corporate clients, including workplace pension schemes and employee benefits. These can really help companies to retain staff, with benefits for the employer, too.”
Construction commences on Mickleover residential project
Construction has commenced on the development of a new residential project at Manor Farm in Mickleover, with the transformation of existing redundant farm buildings into a small, exclusive cluster of homes.
Ashbourne-based Matthew Montague Architects have designed the dwellings working in partnership with site owners Chevin Homes.
This project comprises five single-story dwellings (bungalows) and one house in a private cul-de-sac setting.
The design complements the historical and heritage significance of the area. Architect Matthew Montague said: “I have been involved with this site for over 5 years, working with Chevin Homes most recently to gain approval, however planning discussions go back as far as 2014, so it has been a long time in the pipeline; largely due to the sensitive location.”
The original Manor Farm Farmhouse, gardens and courtyard of barns are not part of this development. These buildings are for sale via auction due to take place at the end of February. Full detailed planning permssion was also gained by the Architects Practice for conversion of the barns for sale within this lot.
Leengate seals Spireites’ shirt deal for two more seasons
An extended shirt sponsorship deal has been agreed between Leengate Valves and Chesterfield FC’s which will see the company logo on home and away shirts for the next two seasons.
Steve Pickering, MD of Leengate Valves said: “We’ve done it for the last two years and are keen to keep the association going, with hopefully a return to the EFL during that time.
“We’ve received so much publicity in the last two seasons and it’s a good feeling to see so many shirts with Leengates Valves on around the town and whenever we go to away games.
“We’ve been associated with the club for so long – around 34 years now – and it’s been the highlight this year, really.
“It’s fantastic to see the quality of the football and the smiles around the stadium. It’s just a happy feeling. Wherever you go, everybody is talking about Chesterfield Football Club.”
Bridget Ball, the club’s marketing manager, said: “I would like to thank Steve, Leigh, Mick and everyone at Leengate Valves for their valued, ongoing support.
“Thanks also go to our supporters who have purchased shirts in unprecedented numbers this season. We look forward to unveiling next season’s kits in April and I’m sure they will be equally as popular.”
Derby firms urged to join ‘breastfeeding welcome here’ campaign
Derby City councillor Alison Martin in encouraging the city’s businesses to sign up to a new scheme to support its breastfeeding mums. The Breastfeeding Welcome Here initiative is designed to make mums feel more confident to breastfeed in public places, with shops, cafés and other public premises in the city being encouraged to sign up to the free scheme to show they are accredited as ‘breastfeeding friendly’.
Councillor Martin said: “Mums have a legal right to breastfeed in public and the majority of people are supportive, but it can still be a daunting experience, particularly at first. We want mums in Derby to know they are welcome to breastfeed while out and about, and to help them feel comfortable while doing so.
“If you spot the Breastfeeding Welcome Here sticker, you’ll know it’s a comfortable and supportive environment for you to feed your baby. We’d love as many businesses as possible to sign up and show their support for mums.”
The right to breastfeed in public is protected by law but some mums lack confidence, feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable, or worried about the reaction they’ll receive. The Breastfeeding Welcome Here scheme aims to positively change perceptions around breastfeeding in public and promote an environment where mums feel confident to breastfeed for as long as they choose.
By signing up, businesses and organisations pledge to actively welcome mums who are breastfeeding and support them to feel confident and comfortable feeding their baby on the premises. In turn, this will give the venue a boost, as mums are more likely to return to places where they feel comfortable.
If a venue is displaying a Breastfeeding Welcome Here Award, mums can be confident that:
- They are welcome to breastfeed their baby there
- They will never be asked to move or leave because they are breastfeeding
- The venue will do their best to offer a private area to feed in, if mum prefers and space allows
- Staff are trained to know that the venue supports breastfeeding and encourages mums to breastfeed on the premises.
Nottingham company underpaid more than £5.12m to 36,000 workers
Nottingham-based Staffline Recruitment Limited has had to pay more than £5.12m to 36,700 workers, the government has revealed.
The company is named today amongst a list of more than 500 employers who’ve failed to pay the minimum wage.
The 524 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers nearly £16 million in a clear breach of the National Minimum Wage law, leaving more than 172,000 workers out of pocket.
Employers named today include major high street brands, in a clear message from government that no employers are exempt from paying their workers the statutory minimum wage.
The businesses named in today’s list have since paid back what they owe to their staff and have also faced financial penalties of up to 200% of their underpayment. The investigations by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) concluded between 2015 and 2023.
Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business Kevin Hollinrake said: “Employees deserve to get paid properly for the hard work they put in.
“While the majority of businesses already do the right thing and pay their staff what they are owed, today’s announcement sends a message to the minority who aren’t – that there are repercussions to undercutting hard work from their staff.
“Not all minimum wage underpayments are intentional, but the government has been clear that anyone entitled to be paid the minimum wage should receive it, and that enforcement action will be taken against employers who do not pay their staff correctly.”