Derbyshire-based Peak Pharmacy has secured an eight-figure refinancing package from HSBC UK to help power its growth plans.
The funding will support the company’s automation strategy following the development of a new 113,000 sq ft warehouse, known as ‘Horizon’. The facility is designed to boost operational efficiency and increase workforce capacity at their branches by over 50 per cent, allowing pharmacy teams to dedicate more time to patient care.
With over 130 pharmacies nationwide, Peak Pharmacy currently supplies approximately 1.5 per cent of the prescriptions in England. The new investment will help the business grow further, with plans for strategic acquisitions and service improvements already underway.
The company is also on track to reach a milestone – £200 million in turnover by the end of the year, its highest to date.
Joe Cattee, managing director at Peak Pharmacy, said: “HSBC UK really understood what we were looking for and invested time with us. After a very longstanding relationship with our previous banking partner, we felt it was time to explore new opportunities and take the next step in growing our business.
“As we invest more in automation and continue prioritising patient service, having HSBC UK by our side gives us the confidence and support to build for the future.”
Philip Carr, senior relationship director at HSBC UK, said: “It’s a pivotal time for pharmacies and the role they play in supporting primary healthcare. Businesses like Peak Pharmacy need the headroom and financial flexibility to grow, adapt and keep their patients at the heart of what they do.”
Dave Ramsden, head of East Midlands corporate, at HSBC UK, added: “Working with Peak Pharmacy underscores HSBC UK’s commitment to offering tailored solutions that help businesses grow and improve. We’re looking forward to seeing the business continue to thrive and bring even more value to the communities they serve.”
With the 10th annual East Midlands Bricks Awards taking place this October, excitement is building for the event, with just one sponsorship spot left for the celebration of the region’s property and construction industry.
Attracting leaders from across the East Midlands, the event is the perfect way for businesses to raise their profile, showcase the work they are completing, and create more buzz. With only one spot remaining in the sponsor line-up, Angie Cooper can be contacted at a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk to learn more.
This year’s eagerly anticipated ceremony will make its return on Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham – an evening that will also provide plenty of opportunities to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Guests network at the East Midlands Bricks Awards
The event will additionally welcome Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands – as keynote speaker.
Recognising those behind the changing landscape of the East Midlands, the occasion will highlight development projects, businesses, and people in commercial and public building – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. It will also toast the work of architects, agencies, and those behind large schemes.
Make a nomination
The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 is completely free to enter, and making the top three finalists in a category will win you free tickets to the awards ceremony.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Categories include:
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.
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 hereDress code: Standard business attire
Thanks to our sponsors:
The Bobby Dhanjal Foundation, the charity arm of Leicester-based independent financial adviser BDWM, has donated £3,500 to five local causes which do vital work for communities in and around the city.
The organisations it supported during the latest round of giving were:
Baby Basics Leicester (£500) – A Wigston-based charity, which collects, sorts and distributes Moses basket starter kits, clothing, toiletries and other essential equipment to vulnerable local families who are struggling to provide for their newborn baby or young child.
Wishes 4 Kids (£1,000) – A local organisation which makes wishes come true for children and youngsters in Leicestershire who are life-limited, terminally ill, have experienced life-changing physical or emotional traumas or have suffered major abuse.
Leicester Children’s Holidays (£1,000) – The foundation continued its longstanding support for this local organisation, which takes vulnerable city children away on a traditional seaside holiday in Mablethorpe, when their families are struggling to afford a break.
Treehouse Wellbeing(£500) –A children’s mental health charity which will use the funding to offer accessible therapy and support to children, young people and families in Lutterworth, to enhance the lives of the local community.
Thin Blue Paw – An animal welfare charity, which protects, supports and rehabilitates serving and retired police dogs from across the UK.
Bobby Dhanjal, BDWM’s company director and founder, said: “Looking after the communities we serve is a big part of our ethos here at BDWM.
“So, we were delighted to be able to support five more local charitable organisations with financial donations from the Bobby Dhanjal Foundation.
“All these organisations do such vital work for vulnerable people and groups here in Leicestershire and further afield, and these donations will help them continue to deliver this essential support.”
The Bobby Dhanjal Foundation was founded in 2012, with the initial aim of ensuring that all children, from any background, race or religion, have the experience of playing and making new friends in a safe environment. Bobby, who grew up in the city, was eager to give something back to the next generation and invest in its future.
The Foundation is made up of funds from personal donations and staff activity and is managed in partnership with the Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation. It selects different community groups and local charities to support with fundraising and other activities each year. Over the years, it has helped to raise and distribute more than £80,000 to local good causes.
£100,000 is being made available by Erewash Borough Council to help create jobs across the borough, by encouraging local firms to innovate.
The boost is in the form of research and development grants that businesses can apply for, with the authority to pay two thirds of the bill for coming up with new products, processes and technologies.
Firms that agree to meet a third of their project’s costs can be awarded between £5,000 and £20,000.
Cllr Curtis Howard, Erewash’s lead member for planning and regeneration, said: “The latest round of grants uses Government money that the council has secured via the East Midlands Mayor.
“We have been offering similar R&D grants since 2022. It means a total of £214,000 has been pumped into the local economy – securing existing jobs and creating new ones. Industries that have been helped range from furniture makers to factories that produce machinery.
“We’ve been very proud to support our great local manufacturers – but I’d very much like to see a broader range of local businesses apply and benefit.”
Affinity Workforce Solutions Ltd. has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of The Protocol Group, based in Nottingham. This strategic move will enhance Affinity’s service offering to education sectors across the UK. The Protocol Group’s three established brands (Protocol FE, Bookmark, and eSafeguarding) will continue to operate independently, now benefiting from Affinity’s expanded national network and resources.
This acquisition enhances the group’s capacity, enabling the placement of approximately 30,000 candidates annually. Affinity’s presence in the East Midlands is strengthened, while its compliance services are further bolstered, primarily through the integration of eSafeguarding, a secure platform for managing DBS checks.
As a Crown Commercial Service-approved supplier, Affinity is known for its managed recruitment solutions for schools, colleges, and Multi-Academy Trusts across the UK. The addition of Protocol’s expertise in further education and digital compliance tools enhances this offering, particularly for public sector clients seeking cohesive recruitment and safeguarding services.
The acquisition is a key part of Affinity’s growth strategy, enabling it to serve its existing clients better while upholding the high-quality standards they expect.
Broxtowe Borough Council has launched a new round of SME business grants from the Broxtowe Business Growth Fund, thanks to funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Local businesses can apply for £2,000 – £7,000 of funding, with up to 40% match funding required, to help support and grow Broxtowe SMEs.
Business can use the grants to contribute towards shop and business frontage improvements including signage, street scene or conservation area related initiatives, environmental energy saving measures, disability access improvements, or digital, productivity and ecommerce investments that improve productivity or create jobs.
Grants will be available for projects completed between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Applications are now open and will close on 30 July 2025.
Portfolio holder for economic development and asset management, councillor Milan Radulovic MBE, said: “I’m delighted to be able to offer this next round of grants from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to be able to help our local businesses.
“UKSPF funding has already done so much good for Broxtowe businesses and I can’t wait to see even more projects be completed that help to support our high streets.”
Architectural practice CPMG has showcased significant growth as it continues to bolster its expertise across its studios in Nottingham, Birmingham and London.
In support of its sustainable growth strategy, CPMG strengthened its team at a range of levels through several appointments in all three of its UK locations.
Now contributing to CPMG’s studios in Birmingham and London respectively is part 2 architectural assistant Saad Thobani and architectural student Alice Rallo. Both are working to enhance their growing knowledge with a focus on BREEAM, design and concept development, collaboration with suppliers, client consultation and regulations.
Reinforcing the foundations at CPMG’s Nottingham headquarters are senior architectural technologist Gary Matthews, with over 20 years of experience in the sector, and senior architect Chris Goodwin, who is returning to the practice after 23 years.
An ARB and RIBA member, as well as part time tutor at the University of Nottingham, Chris works across multiple focus sectors for the business including schools, residential, leisure and the voluntary sector.
Richard Flisher, managing director at CPMG, said: “Championing our team across all our locations as they grow and develop at whatever level they may be is something that is heavily engrained in who we are at CPMG.
“We continue to embody our mission, which focuses on creating spaces while recognising that people’s environments are critical to who they are and to their wellbeing.
“Across all the sectors we work, in all our studios and within all our projects, we’ll continue to showcase the importance of this mission and to always keep the end users in mind.”
West Northamptonshire Council is taking the next step to deliver hundreds of new homes following a Cabinet meeting where plans to refresh and progress three major housing developments were approved.
The revised approach will enable the Council to recover investment made to date, reduce holding costs and deliver much-needed housing, with a focus on building sustainable, balanced communities and delivering affordable homes wherever viable.
Councillor Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “We remain absolutely committed to delivering the homes our communities need. By taking forward these revised proposals, we’re ensuring best value for the public purse while doing everything possible to deliver new, high-quality housing – including affordable homes – in a financially sustainable way.”
The report approved by Cabinet outlines progress across three key sites, including:Avenue CampusThe Council’s new delivery strategy for Avenue Campus will see the site progressed in phases as a market-led development of between 113 and 170 new homes. The revised approach gives the Council the greatest chance to recover £13.7 million funding already invested, with affordable housing introduced providing the project recoups its costs or demonstrates financial parity with market homes. The scheme has already secured £1 million in government Brownfield Land Release Funding, helping to unlock future delivery.Roof Gardens and Castle StreetLocated in Spring Boroughs, the Council will bring forward a revised scheme at the Roof Gardens site to deliver 58 new affordable homes – complementing the 24 affordable homes already completed at Castle Street. Together, these 82 homes will replace the same number that were demolished, aligning with the Council’s Housing Strategy and Affordable Homes Delivery Plan launched in November 2024. Further approvals for construction and financing will return to Cabinet in due course.Belgrave HouseThe Belgrave House development will now form part of the wider Greyfriars regeneration masterplan in partnership with English Cities Fund, unlocking the potential for new jobs, improved public space and long-term economic benefits for the town centre.The revised delivery plans will continue to seek external funding, aiming to deliver the most homes possible, in a way that is sustainable and aligned with community needs.
East Midlands-based Champions Speakers has been named as a winner of the Department for Business and Trade’s 2025 Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards.
The keynote speaker agency was selected as a winner in the Consultancy & Professional Services category, an accolade which sees them come out on top of the UK’s 5.49 million SMEs.
Champions Speakers was recognised for its 122% export growth over the past two years and for delivering outstanding global reach – which has seen them offer their services in 66 countries, and is the first keynote speakers bureau to win this award.
Jack Hayes, director of Champions Speakers, shared his pride in the award: “Winning this award is an immense honour for the entire team at Champions.
“Over the past few years, we have committed ourselves to building a truly global service, and being recognised by the Department for Business and Trade in this way is both humbling and affirming.”
The latest Quarterly Economic Survey from East Midlands Chamber paints a challenging picture for businesses in the region, as companies continue to grapple with economic pressures. Survey responses from 354 firms across various sectors indicate a decline in confidence, with fewer businesses expecting profitability improvements or turnover growth in the coming year.
Despite a modest 5% rise in UK sales and 4% increase in orders, overseas performance has been weaker, with sales down 10% and orders down 3%. Inflation has surpassed corporate taxation as the biggest concern for firms, highlighting rising operational costs and the added challenges of trading internationally post-Brexit.
Approximately 40% of businesses are considering raising prices in response to these pressures, a slight decrease from earlier in the year. Recruitment figures show a slight improvement, with half of businesses attempting to recruit new staff, though the struggle to find skilled candidates persists. However, a majority expect their workforce to remain stable, marking a slight decrease in expectations for job cuts compared to previous months.
The survey’s findings underscore the region’s fragile economic climate, with businesses looking to the upcoming Autumn Budget for policy measures to support recovery without adding further.
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