2024 Business Predictions: Richard Sutton, MD at NG Chartered Surveyors
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Richard Sutton, MD at NG Chartered Surveyors.
Looking at 2024 as a whole and with inflation seemingly under control, I’d put confidence in a more positive year ahead market-wise – particularly if, as is predicted (and somewhat hoped) interest rates start to come down. However, with a potential general election ahead, noticeable growth is unfortunately likely to be impacted until a result is known.If inflation stays under control after a slow start to 2024 I predict the middle two quarters will be solid – very much like 2018 trading conditions. In the commercial property world, opportunities are still scarce but there is still a willingness out there to do deals.The office market still needs to make its mind up and, to be honest, it’s about time more people came back to the office.As the phrase goes: “use it or lose it.”I also think there will be a big trend from solicitors and accountants moving from landmark buildings with massive cost implications to high-end serviced office space.
DMU researchers pioneer new manufacturing process making creation of biofuel from waste cooking oil more efficient
Researchers at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have pioneered a new manufacturing process which could make the creation of biofuel from waste cooking oil faster and more efficient.
Professor Katherine Huddersman, Dr Rawaz Ahmed, Saana Rashid, and Ketan Ruperalia, all based in a team of experts from DMU’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, have created a new fibrous mesh-based catalyst which drives the reaction that separates vegetable oil and animal fats into biofuel and glycerol.
This new method avoids many of the issues found in traditional production methods. Although sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide catalysts are cheap and widely available, they react with the free fatty acids in the oil to create soap, and settle in the glycerol, needing to be removed. Metal oxide catalysts are powders and are difficult to handle, needing to be filtered out at the end of the process.
Waste cooking oil often contains higher amounts of free fatty acids than fresh oil, which generates more soap, hindering the reaction further.
The fibrous-mesh catalyst, lacking any sodium, creates no soap. It has a large surface area, can work continuously, and can be regenerated for repeated use. Overall production time is quicker and it can be used at lower temperatures, making the process more energy efficient.
This means biofuel can be manufactured in larger quantities, with immediate potential applications in many industries, particularly shipping. Glycerol also has a range of applications in the food, drugs, cosmetics, and packing materials industries.
The research has made the cover of Energy Advances, a multi-disciplinary journal featuring cutting-edge science at the forefront of energy technology. The researchers are now focusing on perfecting the regeneration process.
Professor Huddersman said: “We are delighted that our fibrous polyacrylonitrile catalyst has shown to be very successful in transesterification reactions to produce biodiesel.
“This is the first use of a mesh being used in this way, and opens up uses for the catalyst in a wide range of other acid/base chemical reactions to make a wide range of compounds used in pharmaceutics and the chemical industry in general.”
Derbyshire County Council’s headquarters redevelopment nears next steps
At a meeting on 11 January, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet will consider a report asking for approval to redevelop its headquarters at County Hall in Matlock.
After engaging with developers and hotel operators and working with specialist architects HLM Architects and Realestateworks over the past year, a preferred option for the whole County Hall complex has been developed, which includes:
- turning the south block of County Hall and the Winter Gardens into a hotel and events venue
- creating new homes in the north block and the south west car park
- building a new, low carbon office on the site to accommodate up to 500 council employees
Planning Inspector allows permission for new Northamptonshire solar farm
The outline proposal, which will produce enough clean renewable energy to power the equivalent electricity needs of over 18,000 homes a year, was initially refused planning permission by West Northamptonshire Council in October 2022 on the grounds of adverse effect on the landscape and visual character of the area and conflict with the development plan.
The scheme was heard at Public Inquiry in June 2023, with community group Copse Lodge Action Group also appearing formally (known as a Rule 6 party).
The Inspector’s report acknowledged that the proposal would harm the landscape character and would conflict with the development plan, but that the very significant weight arising from renewable energy production and storage, along with significant biodiversity enhancements, outweighed the identified harm.
The proposal will give rise to significant environmental and ecological benefits through habitat enhancements and carbon emission savings. It will generate economic benefits with an injection of £30m into the local economy and the creation of 70-80 temporary jobs during the construction phase. The scheme also will provide an outdoor classroom and permissive route through the site to boost education and understanding about the renewable energy sector.
Conor McAllister of JBM Solar Projects 20 Ltd said: “It’s fantastic to get this result, particularly after many years of hard work from all involved. Renewable energy projects can too often meet resistance but we are committed to working collaboratively with the council to progress the scheme and deliver it promptly.”
Ellen Fortt, Senior Planner at Pegasus Group, added: “This appeal decision demonstrates the significant weight that renewable energy schemes hold in the planning balance, reinforcing their role in the country’s efforts to reach net zero by 2050. We are pleased to be able to advise on valuable and hugely beneficial projects like this.”
Work is expected to start on site in Autumn 2024. Pegasus Group led on matters of planning, landscape and heritage, alongside No5 Chambers as Counsel and Avian Ecology.
New development could provide accessible and affordable housing for Derby
Plans to develop a former school playing field for accessible, affordable housing are to be discussed by Derby City Council’s Cabinet in January.
Derby Homes secured full planning permission to build 36 new bungalows on land near Grange Avenue in the Sunny Hill area of the city in 2022. Now Councillors are to be asked to approve budget for the proposed homes, which will be funded through the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme and subsidised by Right to Buy (RTB) receipts.
Situated behind Akaal Primary School, the new development will be a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes with a communal, landscaped garden at its centre.
All 36 buildings are designed to meet improved standards of accessibility, which means the homes will have step-free access as well as facilities and other features to make them more easily adaptable over time.
Most will be suitable for a wide range of tenants including older people and those with reduced mobility, while three bungalows will meet a fully adaptable and accessible standard to be suitable for all wheelchair users.
The homes would all be owned by the Council, managed and maintained by Derby Homes and let according to the Council’s Allocations Policy through Derby Homefinder.
To keep running costs as low as possible and support the Council’s commitment to tackling climate change, the houses will be fitted with solar panels, air source heat pumps with underfloor heating and EV charging areas.
Plans for the development also include its own electrical substation to help power the air source heat pumps and charging apparatus.
The entrance to the development will be from Blackmore Street, close to the Sunnyfields Extra Care facility and residents of the new development will have easy access to a hairdresser, a restaurant and the facility’s communal space.
Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Property and Regulatory Services, said: “Part of our manifesto is for everyone to have a decent place to live and our goal is to deliver accessible, affordable and high-quality homes for Derby residents.
“Making best use of council land to increase the number of new affordable homes is a key part of that.
“We’re also committed to improving the sustainability of our council housing, which will reduce bills for tenants and contribute to the city’s net-zero ambition.”
If the plans are approved, work on the site could start in early 2024, with the new homes completed by late 2025.
Cabinet will meet to decide on the proposals on Wednesday 10 January at 4pm.
Law firm BRM makes four new appointments
Chesterfield and Sheffield-based law firm, BRM is delighted to announce the appointment of Director Simon Lockley, alongside Kirsty Coggin as Senior Associate, Annabel Denby Hollis as Senior Solicitor and Adam Mayer as Chartered Legal Executive, to the firm’s Dispute Resolution team.
Simon joins BRM with more than 30 years litigation experience with his most recent role being Head of the Sheffield Office at Lupton Fawcett.
Kirsty, Annabel, and Adam are joining Simon in the move after a combined 15 years with Lupton Fawcett and have started at the firm this week. Annabel will join BRM on 15 January 2024.
Simon is regularly instructed by both corporate and individual clients in high-value litigation and specialises in company and shareholder disputes, complex contractual claims and professional negligence.
He also has extensive experience in claims against employees and directors for breach of contract/duty, civil fraud and insolvency litigation.
Listed as a key individual in his field in the Legal 500 UK, Simon is regarded as ‘highly rated by clients’ and ‘technically superb’.
He said: “BRM is an ambitious, modern and forward-thinking firm and I am delighted to be joining its Dispute Resolution team as a Director. The firm is business-focussed and has a fantastic reputation in Sheffield and Chesterfield as well as the wider city region”.
“BRM is making a real statement and both my team, and I are looking forward to being part of the firm’s growth in Sheffield and its ambitions for the future.”
Rob Cooke, Head of Dispute Resolution and Executive Director at BRM, said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Simon, Kirsty, Annabel, and Adam to the Dispute Resolution team here at BRM.
“As we have previously worked together, I know first-hand the fantastic reputation Simon has both in the city and the profession and the positive difference he will make to our team.
“Kirsty, Annabel, and Adam will bring their collective experience to the team and will position us as the largest Dispute Resolution team in the region.”
Kirsty joins the firm as Senior Associate and was recently rated as a ‘Key Lawyer’ in the Legal 500.
She said: “BRM is dynamic and forward looking. I am thrilled to bring my experience to the firm and be part of its growth and exciting vision for the future.”
New tenant delivered at Air Cargo Centre
DHL Air has flown into Air Cargo Centre, located off Beverley Road, within the East Midlands Airport campus.
Following the success earlier last year where Unit 438 was let to an established airport user, FHP Property Consultants have let 419 Air Cargo Centre to DHL Air for a period of approximately 5 years to bolster their existing operations at East Midlands Airport.
Air Cargo Centre comprises 23 industrial/warehouse units with a total floor area of some 200,000ft2. Units range in size from 3,000ft2 to 25,000ft2 and benefit from dedicated car parking and loading to the front.
Darran Severn of FHP Property Consultants says: “Air Cargo Centre is a very popular estate due to its proximity to East Midlands Airport. The estate generally appeals to businesses that have a direct connection with the airport.
“On this occasion we have been able to line up a new tenant prior to the expiry of the existing lease eliminating a void period for our client. A truly great result for all involved.”
Peter Molloy, Regional Commercial Manager for DHL, says: “East Midlands Airport is home to the UK’s largest dedicated cargo operation, and DHL already occupy some 500,000ft² across the airport. The new unit at Air Cargo Centre will be predominantly used for repairs and maintenance, keeping this separate to our parcel hub.”
Turkish Airlines set to be largest user of Rolls-Royce Trent engines
Turkish Airlines is set to become the world’s largest operator of Rolls-Royce Derby-built Trent XWB engines with its decision to order 140 between 2025 and 2033.
It will order 100 Trent XWB-84 variants and 40 XWB-97 ones, all to be covered by the Rolls-Royce comprehensive TotalCare service.
This order will complement the airline’s existing fleet, adding to the 40 Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 A350-900s already in service and on order, and 26 Trent 700 powered A330s.
Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic said: “This announcement is proof that the actions we are taking to transform Rolls-Royce into a high performing and competitive company underpinned by profitable growth are working.
“The Trent XWB is the perfect engine platform to support Turkish Airlines as it continues to grow. This order will make Turkish Airlines the largest Trent XWB operator in the world, and I would like to thank them for putting their trust in Rolls-Royce.
“Türkiye is a strategically important market for us, and it is imperative to develop long-term partnerships with the airline and other important Turkish stakeholders.
“We look forward to working with Turkish Airlines as they continue to connect their passengers across global communities and cultures.”
Flying to more than 340 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, Turkish Airlines has grown from a passenger base of 10 million in 2003 to more than 82 million in the last twelve months.
Copper recycling company falls into administration
A Leicestershire company which processed unused or discarded copper materials for resale has been placed in administration.
Steven Wiseglass, a director at Manchester-based Inquesta Corporate Recovery & Insolvency, has been appointed as administrator of Pure Copper Recycling Ltd.
Pure Copper Recycling, based in Gaddesby, had stopped trading while it sought new premises. All eight employees have since been made redundant.
The company, founded in 2018, was a granulation specialist which repurposed and recycled unused or discarded copper cables and materials bought from a variety of clients, including scrap merchants, tradesmen, waste sites and electricians.
In the period from December 1 2022 to September 28 2023, the business generated sales of £10.4m.
Steven Wiseglass said: “We have been appointed as the administrator of Pure Copper Recycling Ltd.
“Due to a number of issues, the business was unable to continue trading and regrettably the employees have been made redundant.
“We are now working with advisers to assess the value of the company’s assets and will then undertake a sale process with a view to securing a return for creditors.”
Airport academy allows aviation industry careers to take off
Next week sees the start of the second course offering learners a direct route into the aviation industry thanks to collaboration between the East Midlands Airport Academy and Nottingham College.
The partnership at the on-site Academy offers tailor-made pre-employment and upskilling training for around 200 unemployed or low-income adult learners a year and existing employees.
The two-week courses are free and take place on-site at EMA, covering a range of topics including an introduction to the aviation industry, customer service and team work and aviation terminology, to equip them with the skills needed to take up various careers that are available at EMA.
Fifteen learners were the first to complete the course, during which they were taken on an airside tour, took part in mock interviews and given support to apply for roles in the airport including help with CVs, covering letters and five-year checkable history. They heard from guest speakers from, Swissport, DHL, Leonardo’s Hotel, and Boots, as well as EMA’s HR, Security and Assisted Travel teams.
Marcella M’Rabety, Group Head of Education, Skills and Employment for EMA’s owner Manchester Airports Group, said: “We are pleased that 15 learners have completed our first course with Nottingham College. They have been given skills and support towards gaining employment on site at EMA and have heard from a range of employers. We are really grateful for our on-site businesses attending the course to talk about roles, job opportunities and inspiring our learners to find work at the airport.
“Our next course is 15th January which will include attending the Jobs Fair on Wednesday 17th January. We can’t wait to welcome more learners on site.”
