The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) have announced a 20-year collaboration to advance fusion energy training and skills development.
The collaboration will focus on developing and delivering fusion related skills, including apprenticeships and wider vocational training programmes, to support the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project – the UK’s first prototype fusion energy power plant that will be built on the West Burton site in Nottinghamshire.
This new collaboration will not only provide crucial skills for STEP but also support a growing fusion industry across the region.
An Economic and Wider Impact Assessment commissioned by relevant local authorities has calculated that by the time it is fully operational, the West Burton site is anticipated to accommodate 6,500 full-time jobs across STEP and the surrounding business park, equivalent to 12.5 percent of the current total workplace jobs in Bassetlaw.
Around half of the forecast STEP Campus construction jobs are expected to require Level 3+ qualifications, and it is estimated that nearly three quarters of the on-site jobs on the STEP Campus are expected to require individuals with Level 4+ qualifications.
Training provided through the new collaborative will be designed with flexibility to adapt as the STEP programme and the West Burton site evolves. Initial training will focus on the engineering and project skills needed to complete plant design, with construction and operational skills as focus areas for future stages of the programme.
The collaboration will deliver fusion-relevant courses through existing training sites across the EMCCA geography, South Yorkshire, and Greater Lincolnshire. Colleges, training providers, and universities are already mobilising to offer more places for construction and clean energy qualifications, gearing up the region to deliver on its emerging inclusive growth strategy even before the West Burton facility is in place.
“I am delighted to announce EMCCA as our partner in this exciting new training collaboration, which will be delivered out of our planned West Burton Training Facility,” said UKAEA’s head of fusion skills and FOSTER (Fusion, Opportunities, Skills, Training, Education and Research) programme director, Nick Walkden.
“People are the most important element of any programme or project. We have listened and learned from other major research, engineering, and infrastructure projects and believe that an early and focussed attention to local skills and workforce growth will be a critical enabler to success.
“STEP is a programme with global impact and, as with the successive Governments who have recognised fusion’s potential to have a significant and positive impact on the nation’s economy, we are equally committed to leaving a lasting local legacy.
“The training provided will equip people across the East Midlands, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire with the skills needed for the prototype fusion powerplant at West Burton as well as long-term career opportunities in fusion and beyond.”
The STEP programme, led by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS), provides a huge opportunity for regional growth and regeneration. Permissions and consents will be sought for construction to begin in the early 2030s, with the prototype powerplant targeting first operations in 2040.
Paul Methven, CEO, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions and senior responsible owner of STEP, said: “Delivering STEP, and commercial fusion beyond that, will require a strong skills pipeline, not only in STEM subjects, but in every aspect of running a complex business.
“It is fantastic to see that UKAEA are leading on putting this essential enabler in place now to ensure local people benefit directly from the programme, in addition to ensuring we have the skills needed to deliver STEP.”
Claire Ward, mayor of the East Midlands, said: “The East Midlands is planning for our energy future today, and fusion energy is an exciting part of that future. One day – thanks to the Nottinghamshire-based STEP programme – the whole region will benefit from clean, affordable fusion energy.
“Right now, my priority is ensuring that local people can get the jobs associated with developing this new industry and its supply chains. This is what inclusive growth in practice looks like – investing smartly to ensure that growth is created, sustained, and experienced by local people.
“The Fusion Skills Collaboration embodies this goal, and our outstanding colleges, training providers, and universities will be front and centre in training people in the skills of the future.”
Nominations are OPEN until Friday 15th August for East Midlands Business Link’s 10th annual Bricks Awards, shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry. With 10 categories available to enter, the occasion offers a prime forum to showcase outstanding businesses, teams and projects.
One category at the prestigious event is Developer of the Year, which can be entered here. It’s completely free to submit a nomination and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the awards ceremony.
The winner of this category will be the developer that has truly pushed the limit over the last 12 months. Their scheme(s) will have shown to not only be a success, but that there was true demand for them. The winning developer will have displayed courage in a tough market to deliver award winning results.
Last year the award was won by Vistry Group East Midlands, with Indurent and Wavensmere Homes runners up. Upon winning, Conor Garvey, associate land director at Vistry North East Midlands, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to win Developer of the Year at this year’s Bricks. The event was fantastic with a real buzz about it and gave us a great opportunity to meet fellow businesspeople from across the region. Being announced as the winner in our category was just the icing on the cake and a testament to the continued hard work by my colleagues throughout the business.”
With this year’s Developer of the Year award sponsored by Devello, founder Shruti Trivedi said: “We are delighted to again be supporting the Bricks Awards with other notable local businesses. Last year’s event was invaluable in helping to establish our new company amongst our peers who share our vision of providing outstanding client service in a forward-thinking, innovative manner.
“We are looking forward to catching up with our co-sponsors, last year’s winners and this year’s nominees at the 2025 Bricks Awards, to celebrate those within the industry who are making a notable contribution and delivering exceptional results.
“We know last year’s winners were delighted to receive this recognition and encourage anyone who has an exceptional project worthy of recognition to apply!”
Submit your nominations for Developer of the Year here before entries close on Friday 15th August.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 2nd October,at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from 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.
Other award categories open for entry include: Most Active Agent, Commercial Development of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here.
The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 will also receive agrand 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.
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 hereDress code: Standard business attire
Thanks to our sponsors:
Environment led multi-disciplinary planning consultancy Lanpro has secured acceptance for a Development Consent Order (DCO) application on behalf of Island Green Power (IGP) for Green Hill Solar Farm in the East Midlands.
Located to the west and south of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and north of Milton Keynes, the proposed circa 1200-hectare site is designed to deliver up to 500 MW of electricity – enough to power approximately 115,000 homes.
A Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), Green Hill Solar Farm’s DCO acceptance confirms that the application meets the required standards to progress to the examination phase – a key milestone for the scheme.
Proposals include approximately 550 hectares earmarked for solar photovoltaic panels and associated infrastructure, and around 190 hectares designated for environmental mitigation and enhancement.
Tom Pike, director of planning, said: “We are delighted that the Green Hill Solar Farm has been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for Examination.
“The scale and ambition of this scheme underlines the vital role solar energy will play in achieving the UK’s net zero targets. Lanpro is proud to be continuing a successful partnership with IGP by supporting in the delivery of yet another nationally significant infrastructure project.
“The scheme will not only contribute a substantial new source of clean energy, but it will also integrate extensive measures for environmental enhancement and biodiversity gain across the site.”
Eve Browning, head of projects UK of Island Green Power, added: “Acceptance is an important milestone for Green Hill, and reflects the hard work of the project team, of which Lanpro has been a key component. We look forward to continuing the partnership as we take the Green Hill proposal through examination.”
Work to transform Rykneld Square into a greener space, with more planting, seating and new paving is set to begin.
This phase of the council’s Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project is due to begin on Monday 7 July and should be completed by the end of October 2025. The planned works include the creation of new grassy areas for people to sit in, new paving, specialist planting and a new bin store, which together will help the space become more welcoming for visitors and residents.
Whilst these works are ongoing access through the square will be limited and part of Spa Lane car park (next to the decorator centre) will be closed for use as a construction compound.
Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “These works will help enhance the Crooked Spire for visitors and residents by providing a warm welcome to the town centre, it also supports the plans we are developing with our partners about the future use of the Visitor Information Centre.
“There will be some disruption arising from these works, but we are working with our contractor and updating local businesses to try and minimise the impact. Once completed this will be a fantastic new space for Chesterfield residents and visitors to enjoy.”
The works in Rykneld Square include new paving and surfaces to create a more modern public space.
It will also include new seating for visitors to use and new planting to help enhance biodiversity and create a more welcoming space.
A new bin store will be created to help keep the area looking tidy and allow unhampered views of the churchyard and heritage railings.
The pavement that runs along the top of the square will be upgraded, to create a more level surface.
New bollards will also be installed to help make it a safer space for pedestrians along with a new crossing point.
The works are due to be completed by late October 2025 and will be carried out whilst other areas of the town centre are also being regenerated.
A Derby educational technology firm that is supporting schools across the UK with their IT has partnered with a top performing multi academy trust.
L.E.A.D. IT Services in Pride Park has signed up to partner with Flying High Trust which runs 35 schools across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham City.
L.E.A.D. IT and Flying High are now working together to strategically invest in IT across the next three years to ensure digital equity across all its schools, with L.E.A.D. IT Services on board as the main service delivery partner.
L.E.A.D. IT Services has audited all 35 primary phase schools in the Flying High family to establish their IT requirements moving forward.
Now each school has begun working with Flying High Trust and L.E.A.D. IT Services on creating a comprehensive IT investment and development plan.
The plans involve fitting schools with high-speed broadband to ensure smooth teaching, learning and business operations.
All Flying High schools will move to a purely cloud-based, serverless IT system to reduce the costs associated with replacing servers, as well as ensuring resilience for continuity of service, improved accessibility, plus back up and disaster recovery. They will also be equipped with devices such as up-to-date iPads suitable for education and business.
Flying High Trust operations manager Nick Layfield said: “This is exactly what our schools needed – high quality information to ensure each school is clear as to how to invest in IT to deliver for our staff, children and communities.
“Digital equity is ensuring all children and staff have access to high quality IT that supports learning. L.E.A.D. IT has provided the catalyst for development and we are proud to work in partnership with them for the benefit of all schools in Flying High.”
Graham Livesey, IT service and development manager for Flying High, said: “Having a digital strategy means our staff can develop their IT skills to deliver for our children – equipping them for life in the fast paced world of IT development is essential to provide them with the knowledge and confidence in IT to achieve their full potential.”
Lee Jepson, director and founder of L.E.A.D. IT Services, said: “We are very proud to be working with Flying High Partnership in helping them implement a comprehensive IT strategy across all their schools.
“We aim to take the stress of IT away from teachers by liaising with third party contractors and doing all of the behind the scenes work so that they can use tech effectively where it matters: teaching children.
“Our work includes everything from assessing risk; updating equipment; ensuring security is up to date; keeping abreast of when equipment needs to be replaced, and advising on the best value for money solutions for schools.
“We are very proud of our work with schools and the relationships our IT team have been able to build with teachers and students. We look forward to our partnership with Flying High to continue flourishing in the future.”
Business confidence in the East Midlands fell 13 points during June to 53%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
Companies in the East Midlands reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 14 points at 53%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 12 points to 54%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 53% (vs. 66% in May).
However, a net balance of 57% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 13 points on last month.
Looking ahead to the next six months, the East Midlands businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example by investing in training (67%), introducing new technology, such as AI or automation (49%) and entering new markets (27%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
National picture
Overall, UK business confidence increased one point in June to 51%.
Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects strengthened one point to 57%, while their confidence in the wider economy also rose one point to 45%.
Wales was the most confident UK nation or region in June (67%), followed by London (64%).
Sector highlights
Business confidence in the manufacturing and retail sectors saw significant gains this month, with 12-point rises in both sectors to 52%. For manufacturing, this demonstrates an 11-month high.
Construction and services however saw decreases in confidence, with falls by five points and four points respectively.
Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds, said: “While confidence has dipped this month, more than half of East Midlands businesses are planning to hire, and firms are clearly setting out intentions to invest in areas like new technology and expansion.
“This reflects a local business community that remains focused on growth – and we’ll continue to be supporting firms’ plans as they take the next steps to achieve their ambitions.”
Acquisitive professional services group Cooper Parry has continued its expansion, swooping for specialist management adviser Liberty Corporate Finance. This marks the East Midlands-headquartered group’s 14th deal in just over two years.
Liberty is a specialist corporate finance advisor to management teams across the world, supporting clients in negotiating, designing and implementing equity incentive plans. Liberty has advised management teams across a multitude of sectors, deal sizes and geographies and has an unrivalled knowledge of the private equity industry.
Liberty operates from offices in London, Madrid, Munich, Stockholm and Sydney. The firm has assisted over 750 management teams, working with more than 150 private equity houses with combined transaction value in excess of £200bn.
Ade Cheatham, CEO, Cooper Parry, said: “This deal is different. Liberty takes us right to the centre of the most valuable conversations in the market – where management, private equity, and strategy collide. Their track record is elite. Their relationships are deep. And culturally, they’re bang in sync with how we think, work and grow.
“It’s our fourteenth deal in just over two years – and one of the most strategically powerful. It gives us immediate presence in new international markets and extends our reach at the top end of the deal spectrum. If you want to understand our ambition at CP, this move says it all.”
Liberty partners Simon Hill, Michael McDonagh and Dan Martinez added: “We are delighted to join forces with Cooper Parry, a game changer in the professional services industry. This acquisition marks a new chapter for Liberty; preserving our identity, brand and unique offering while at the same time enabling us to expand our capabilities and markets.
“Tapping into CP’s deep expertise allows us to greatly accelerate our growth trajectory. Our shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and client success makes this a natural and exciting fit. We look forward to what we will achieve together.”
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has appointed Sirah Parkes FRICS as the new chair for the East Midlands Regional Board, succeeding Amrit Sagoo.
Sirah joined the RICS East Midlands Regional Board in 2024 and serves as senior managing surveyor at SDL Surveying, a division of the MSS Group. With over 25 years of experience as a chartered surveyor, Sirah’s distinguished career spans commercial practice, development, landlord and tenant, and her current role where she is part of a team that manages 120 residential sector surveyors.
A fellow and RICS ambassador, Sirah passionately advocates for education, social and economic mobility. She played a pivotal role in developing iPad technologies pivotal to RICS-compliant bank lending site note capture and reporting, as well as Level 2 iPad technology now widely used in residential valuation and surveying.
Her commitment to equality, diversity, and maintaining professional excellence has been a hallmark of her career.
Sirah Parkes said: “This is an incredible privilege and an equally significant responsibility. My roots are in the East Midlands, and I am confident in my ability to fulfil this role. My vision is to ensure that our Board provides an inclusive, well-informed experience for our members. Engaging locally—listening, interacting, and understanding member needs—is at the heart of my approach.
“This role allows me to channel member feedback directly into the core of RICS. As a fellow member, I understand the importance of feeling heard and connected to the institution. I am determined that my new platform will support the next generation of surveyors, ensuring their relevance across disciplines and providing excellent educational and career opportunities, whether through apprenticeships or university routes.”
Derby City Council has launched a new AI-powered messaging service to improve debt collection for local businesses. The service integrates an advanced dashboard that provides a detailed overview of outstanding debts by analysing data across multiple Council systems.
From 26 June, businesses in the city that do not pay their business rates via Direct Debit will receive timely email reminders about upcoming payments and overdue instalments. This proactive service aims to help businesses avoid falling into arrears, minimise the risk of expensive recovery actions, and support financial stability.
The service is designed to offer a more tailored and compassionate approach to debt collection, ensuring that businesses get the support they need while maintaining a fair and effective process. By identifying cases that require additional assistance, the system enables the Council to address issues before they escalate, improving the overall debt management experience for businesses.
This is part of a wider effort by the Council to adopt smart technology in debt management, with similar services soon to be available for Council Tax payers and other debtors. The initiative reflects the Council’s commitment to responsibly managing public finances and supporting local businesses through AI-driven solutions.
East Midlands Chamber has cautiously welcomed measures announced in the government’s Trade Strategy, which seeks to ease barriers for businesses that export overseas.
Key points in the Trade Strategy include:
£20bn into UK Export Finance
£5bn into a new ‘Ricardo Fund’ to support UK regulators and overseas trade teams in removing regulatory barriers for UK businesses trading abroad
Flexible trade arrangements that are sector and industry specific
Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA’s)
Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications (MRPQ’s)
Support for SME’s with export
A ‘proactive approach’ to imports
East Midlands Chamber head of international trade, Lucy Granger said: “With export of goods and services having been a painfully slow, costly and drawn-out process for firms since the UK’s exit from the EU, coupled more recently with the ongoing, changing tariffs imposed by the US, any initiatives to reduce the burden on exporters is something I welcome but what matters here is the detail.
“How and when exactly might these measures be implemented and will the results actually speed things up in practice – that’s what businesses will want to see.
“Right now, there are barriers that complicate processes that should really be quite simple – like what country does a product you’re exporting originate in, what differing rules might each country have on recognition of that product’s origin. For someone wanting to do business overseas, are their qualifications recognised in that country?
“Working to remove some of those hurdles, if successful, would be a good forward step and less time consuming for firms that export.
“Further Free Trade Agreements, if they happen would certainly help, too, however there needs to be support in place for firms in how to use them to make the export process as smooth as it can be. Likewise, if SME’s are to be supported, as proposed in the Trade Strategy, how might that work?
“For businesses exporting overseas, the Chamber’s International Trade department can offer guidance on how best to handle all the elements involved as we go forward.”
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Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 2nd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from 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.
Other award categories open for entry include: Most Active Agent, Commercial Development of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here.
The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 will also receive 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.
