- High power-density contacts
- Impact and intelligent failure management
- Advanced static and dynamic load management
- Exploiting aero-structural interactions
- Innovations in thermal management
- Electro-mechanical interactions
- Influence of platform behaviour on sub-system design
Multi-million-pound partnership celebrates taking aerospace industry to new heights
A multi-million-pound partnership, which brought academia and industry together to instigate innovation and mechanical excellence in the aerospace sector, has come to an end after making multiple advances in technologies.
The Cornerstone Prosperity Partnership, led by the University of Nottingham alongside industry partner Rolls-Royce and academic partners University of Oxford and Imperial College London, was awarded £13.5 million in funding by the EPSRC and partners in 2017 to advance six key areas of mechanical engineering science. Since then, Queen’s University Belfast has also joined the partnership due to its expertise in structural behaviour.
The partnership advanced mechanical engineering science, bringing low carbon aircraft propulsion closer to reality, and supported the exploration of new designs that improve efficiency, reduce noise pollution, and lower gas turbine engine weight, through work in the following areas:
Company’s clay donation supports £5.3m canal restoration project
The restoration of the Chesterfield Canal will shortly take a great leap forward, thanks to a huge donation of clay from Suon Ltd supporting a £5.3m major works programme by the Chesterfield Canal Trust.
The funds from the Staveley Town Deal will allow for rebuilding the historic Staveley Puddlebank, an 800-metres structure stretching across the Doe Lea Valley.
It was built in 1776 out of clay dug by hand and moved in wheelbarrows. The structure was 10 metres high when it crossed the river Doe Lea. It was partially bulldozed in 1972, hence the need to remodel it.
The value of the clay runs well into seven figures. It is currently at Foxlow, just north of Barrow Hill. The total volume is 160,000 cubic metres. If this was all heaped onto the pitch at Wembley Stadium, it would be as high as a seven storey building or five double decker buses. If it was piled onto the centre court at Wimbledon, it would be over 800 metres high. That’s the same as the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building or nearly three times the height of the Shard, Britain’s tallest building.
The Chesterfield Canal Trust says it is incredibly grateful for this wonderful gesture by Suon, and also to the Chatsworth Settlement which has waived its right to the royalties that it held upon the clay.
Nicholas Wood, Estates Director for Chatsworth, said: “We are very happy to have been able to support the Chesterfield Canal Trust with this project, and we hope it will help enable future generations to enjoy the canal for many years.”
Chesterfield Canal Trust’s Development Manager, George Rogers, said: “Purchasing and transporting suitable materials from other sources would be prohibitively expensive and cause untold disturbance to the local population. Without this incredibly generous donation, the project simply couldn’t proceed in its current form and so the Trust is very grateful for the support and generosity of Suon and Chatsworth. We look forward to continuing our long history of working together to enable the restoration of the canal”.
Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “It’s fantastic to see project sponsors working together to achieve the overall objectives of the Town Deal. This is an important donation that will help ensure the canal can continue to be enjoyed by local people and visitors, whilst making use of this natural resource in the local area.”
Suon Ltd, Chatsworth Settlement Trustees and Chesterfield Canal Trust support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
Recognise the exceptional work of property and construction businesses at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
With nominations now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards, take this opportunity to showcase your business, team and projects by submitting an entry for the prestigious event.
Celebrating the region’s property and construction industry, award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Shine the spotlight on your team, reward their efforts, and boost morale.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region.
After winning an award at the 2022 event, Steve Rayner, partner at Rayner Davies Architects, said: “It was great to be named Architects of the Year at this year’s East Midlands Bricks Awards. To have the recognition of our peers in the industry, in our 30th year in practice, was especially satisfying. I would recommend anyone to get involved in this excellent annual event. A big thank you to everyone that has supported us over the years and a big thank you for the award.”
To nominate your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
To be held at:
Award categories include:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
Safety award secured by Nottingham pizza producer
Nottingham’s The Pizza Factory operated by the Two Sisters Food Group at Gateside Road in the city has won a gold award in the RoSPA award scheme.
The award is amongst a number secured by the company at its UK sites, recognising efforts to ensure that employees get home safely.
The RoSPA Health and Safety Award scheme is the largest occupational health and safety awards programme in the UK. Now into its 67th year, the Awards have almost 2,000 entries every year, covering nearly 50 countries and a reach of over seven million employees. The programme recognises organisations’ commitment to continuous improvement in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work, looking at entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.
While most awards are non-competitive – recognising individual organisations’ achievements – competitive awards are presented in 20 industry sectors and for specialist areas of health and safety management.
William Elworthy, Meal Solutions Divisional Health & Safety Manager, said: “We are extremely proud to have achieved these awards, our Health and Safety teams work incredibly hard to maintain very high standards in our sites.”
Green light for community centre at Towcester development
Approval has been granted by West Northamptonshire Council for the creation of a community centre at Persimmon Homes Midlands’ Towcester Grange development.
The facility will provide the opportunity for a range of community activities to be hosted at the development, which will bring 2,750 new homes to the Northamptonshire town.
Along with bringing a range of new homes to Towcester, the new scheme will also bring a range of benefits to the local area, including two new primary schools, healthcare facilities, employment land, and retail and dining outlets.
Paul Stones, technical director at Persimmon Homes Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to have received approval for our community centre at Towcester Grange and I want to thank West Northamptonshire Council for their support. Not only will the community centre provide a local hub for residents, it will also provide a meeting place for the people of Towcester more widely.
“We’re proud to be delivering a brand new development for Towcester with a range of quality homes as well as a wealth of benefits for local people.”
Senior partner retires after 44 years at Hegarty Solicitors
Martin Bloom, senior partner at Hegarty Solicitors, has retired after a career of 44 years at the firm.
Martin first joined Hegarty Solicitors in 1979 when there were just 7 people working for the firm. Starting at its old office on Lincoln Road, he was the company’s first articled clerk, now known as a trainee solicitor, and worked with Richard Hegarty. He qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and became a partner of the firm in January of 1983.
He first worked on criminal and family law matters before specialising in employment law in the 80’s. He said: “Even back at university when employment law was known as labour law, I’ve always found that area particularly interesting and enjoyable. It can be difficult and intellectually stimulating, I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of solving difficult problems.”
Other notable achievements include being appointed an Employment Judge in 1995. Martin commented that he believes to have issued over a thousand judgements over the years. He also wrote and published his own book entitled ‘Bullying and Stress in the Workplace – an Employer’s and Employee’s Guide’ in 2005, which covered areas of the law from discrimination to equal opportunities.
Furthermore, Martin has been a key speaker at various talks and seminars, with a highlight being those with Anne Corder Recruitment which he has been speaking at for more than 25 years. He recalls: “When the seminars first began there were around 20 people in attendance. When the last in-person talk happened before Covid, we had over 200 people come to the event.” Following Covid, Martin has been speaking at online Lunch and Learn sessions with Anne Corder Recruitment and has over 80 attendees every time.
He has also delivered employment law training to many businesses including HMRC, British Sugar, and Thomas Cook.
When asked about his retirement, Martin said: “Initially I’m going to have a rest! Then I plan to do some charity work, I’m going to volunteer to help children at my village primary school do some reading. I’m also going to volunteer at sports lessons at Stamford School. I plan to do some work on my garden and go on long walks with my dog Dougal.”
Katie Bowen Nicholas graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in law and recently joined Hegarty Solicitors, replacing Martin as the firm’s employment solicitor. She deals with all aspects of employment law including settlement agreements, employment contracts, consultancy agreements, unfair dismissal and discrimination claims.
Katie plans to continue the Lunch and Learn webinars with Anne Corder Recruitment and is excited to start those in June. She will also be continuing the Hegarty Solicitors E-ssentials newsletter that has been running for over 25 years.
Katie commented: “I am most looking forward to applying my passion for employment law to continue to develop and grow the department.”
Kally Singh, who succeeds Martin as senior partner of the firm, said: “Martin has worked so hard over the years to make this firm successful and we all wish him an enjoyable and relaxing retirement.”
Derby-based Watermark gets £250k loan to upgrade technology
Maven Capital Partners is to lend £250,000 to Derby-based water and waste solutions provider Watermark Systems to upgrade its technology and systems, and to buy materials.
With clients including Severn Water, Buxton Water, and Veolia, the company was founded in 1984 by Mike Roberts and Peter Swindell, and provides engineering solutions exclusively to the UK’s waste energy and water/sewage treatment sector. It provides customers with the latest in GPS scanning, 3D modelling and design, pipework installations and structural steel access equipment. The firm also supplies bespoke consultation services, with quality and health & safety considerations always a key priority.
Watermark works closely with digital design specialist Novum BIM to deliver CAD services, providing spatial design, fire strategy and pre-fabrication models for safety and viability review. This close relationship helps to increase efficiencies in Watermark’s installation times and reduces any need for potential rework, driving commercial sustainability and customer success.
Watermark MD Mike Roberts said:“There was great support from Graham Hall and the team at Maven. Their very thorough due diligence process enabled us to assess and confirm our financial requirements with confidence. Watermark’s ability to take advantage of an uplift in sales is greatly enhanced by our improved cash flow position. With turnover increasing, recruitment of new employees is now underway and our success thus far has us excited for the company’s future.”
Jonathan Lowe, Investment Director for Maven, said: “We are delighted to be able to help Mike and his team push forward with their critical growth plans through a MEIF Recovery Loan Scheme facility to close a working capital gap. Watermark is a major player in this environmentally important sector, which has a significant impact on both the local area and economy. It is a well-run and already successful SME and our fresh funding commitment will enable the firm to further enhance its service offering.”
Nottingham-based Roadgas ready to expand following acquisition
Mercuria Clean Energy Investments (MCEI), along with Pretoria Energy Group, have acquired Nottingham-based Roadgas.
Roadgas owns and operates several bio-CNG and bio-LNG stations in the UK and the acquisition will offer a new gas-fueling partner to fleet managers working to decarbonise operations. The business will continue to be known as Roadgas Limited.
Roadgas offers customers a fully integrated package to decarbonise their fleets, constructing bespoke, on-site fuelling solutions with UK-produced biomethane. The group plans to fuel more than 2,500 gas-fuelled trucks annually within five years, reducing the heavy goods vehicle sector emissions at a critical moment in the energy transition.
Roadgas has built 30 LNG, CNG, and LCNG fuelling stations in the UK and operates a number of truck and bus gas fuelling stations around the country. Roadgas’ build and operational capability will be bolstered by the financial and trading power of Mercuria and the certainty of supply of UK-produced waste-based biomethane from Pretoria.
“Pretoria is committed to producing a significant and rapid increase in wastebased biogas volumes by 2028 compared to 2021 as part of our growth strategy,” said Steve Ripley, MD. “This acquisition will advance our ability to deliver biomethane from our AD plants in the UK directly to haulage fleets in the UK, allowing fleet operators to follow their fuel supply from the field to their vehicle’s tank.”
“Mercuria is delighted to have acquired Roadgas together with Pretoria,” said James Cooper, Mercuria’s head of European Origination, Environmental Products.
“Decarbonisation of industry and transport is core to Mercuria’s commitment to global Energy Transition. The UK lacks scale in waste-based biomethane production and lags behind other European markets in the substitution of diesel for gas.
“Combining biomethane supply from Pretoria with Roadgas’ experience and reputation for design, engineering and operation of LNG and CNG refuelling stations will provide a much more transparent solution for UK truck and bus operators looking to follow their fuels’ journey from feedstock to pump.”
Roadgas MD David Rix said: “Working with Mercuria and Pretoria will allow us to fulfill the expansion plans we’ve had for the company since 2018. Through knowledge transfer and sharing of best practices, the newly expanded business will provide an end-to-end solution for fleet owners and managers.
“We look forward to a very successful partnership and to delivering more green gas refuelling infrastructure projects on behalf of our clients.”
Women in biotech come together for inspiring event
Over 70 women working in biotech came together for an energising and inspiring event: ‘Empowering Women in Biotech’ which was held in Loughborough, on 18 April.
The event set out to help women, wherever they are in the career path, realise their future goals and generate a wide network of individuals working in biotech.
Co-hosted by Charnwood Molecular and Charnwood Campus, like-minded individuals working in the biotech and life science sector, and those looking to pursue a career in this industry, were brought together to share their own experiences.
A heartfelt and inspiring keynote address by Gosia Khrais, commercial and marketing director of Charnwood Campus, set the tone for the day. This was followed by an insightful discussion with Isabel Webb, head of technology strategy at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Isabel outlined her route from lab bench to government including her motivations for having scientists at the heart of policy development.
The event also included a full programme of panels and networking, covering topics such as ‘Female Powerhouse Establishment’, ‘Diversity in The Workplace: The Importance of Having A Diverse Workplace’ and ‘Unlocking Investment Opportunities’.
“We were delighted to be involved and have facilitated such an insightful and well-attended event at our site,” said Shona Farmer, marketing manager of Charnwood Molecular. “The day was both inspirational and educational, bringing together so many talented individuals in Biotech. We were able to share our experiences and find incredible inspiration from all those involved,” she added.
The event was a collaborative effort organised in partnership with Bionow, IBioIC, Potter Clarkson, SynBioBeta and WiSB (Women in Synthetic Biology).
HMRC move to dip into crypto and digital wallets to pay tax bills
The government is considering granting HMRC new powers to recover unpaid tax directly from digital wallets.
The proposal is one of a number of measures that are being considered as part of plans to modernise tax debt collection from non-paying businesses.
While the overwhelming majority of people and businesses in the UK pay their tax on time, the latest figures from HMRC show that there is around £48bn in tax owed to HMRC but remaining unpaid. According to HMRC, the vast majority of this tax debt is owed by small and medium sized businesses.
Part of the challenge facing HMRC is the recent growth in e-commerce models which makes it harder to collect taxes from businesses that don’t conduct their business in the UK or don’t have a presence or physical assets here. The enforcement officer or bailiff turning up ‘on the doorstep’ is not an option for many virtual offices or digital only businesses.
The government intends to focus an initial consultation on the following 4 proposals:
- extending Taking Control of Goods powers to those with no UK assets or no assets at a principal place of business, so that HMRC can seize assets at other premises where their trade is not conducted such as third party warehouses.
- extending Taking Control of Goods powers to in-house leasing
- extending Direct Recovery of Debt powers to include Digital Wallets
- security deposits from businesses who are repeatedly, intentionally non-paying
