Enrok Construction secures £4.6m Brixton construction project
Derbyshire-headquartered Enrok Construction has commenced work with Node to deliver 63 one-and-two-bed luxury apartments in Brixton, London.
The construction specialist has worked on the project since March 2022 and is now able to announce the formal contract. In a short time Enrok has played a pivotal role, completing roof works, installing windows and commencing the cladding and internal fit out, and is now committed to the successful completion of the scheme.
In its entirety, the project will see the conversion of a four-story building on Shakespeare Road with work to include the development of a fifth additional floor containing 6 additional luxury apartments. The penthouses will boast premium views across the capital city with a number of iconic buildings in sight, including The Shard, The City, Canary Wharf, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster.
Speaking on the project, Simon Bennett MCIOB, Enrok’s operations director, said: “We have been working closely with the team at Node for four months now, and it’s great to be able to shout about what will become our flagship project.
“Building outwards is not always feasible in high-density areas, so developing upwards is an effective solution – and something that is becoming increasingly popular across London and other densely populated cities where space is at a premium.
“Working in London does come with its own challenges, but our project planning and existing presence in London has enabled us to hit the ground running on the scheme and we are looking forward to delivering it successfully.
“We hope that this marks the start of a strong working relationship with Node and very much look forward to the prospect of future collaborations.”
Aamir Siddiqui, development director at Node, said: “We are delighted to be working with Enrok Construction to deliver this exciting scheme in Brixton. In addition to the collection of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, Node’s newest residence will also boast a co-working space, residents lounge and an outdoor amenity. It will be in close proximity to a range of co-working facilities, Brixton Village, Pop Brixton, underground, overground transport links and other neighbourhood amenities.
“We are pleased to have Enrok onboard and look forward to welcoming new residents in early 2023.”
Funding approved for new multi-million sports hub at Loughborough College
A new state-of-the-art sports hub is set to enhance elite-level training facilities offered at Loughborough College.
The College has secured £9.91 million from the Department for Education (DfE) to create a new three-storey, 3,000sqm facility as part of a wide range of multi-million pound improvements on its Radmoor Road campus.
The new building will house a modern sports hall with viewing terrace and outstanding changing facilities. It will also feature contemporary classrooms, flexible learning spaces, breakout areas and a small staff base.
As part of the project, the College will demolish an outdated building and boiler room to make way for new and improved admin and teaching facilities.
Jo Maher, principal & Chief Executive at Loughborough College, said: “We’re delighted that our bid for the Department for Education funding was successful. It will help us deliver our bold and ambitious estates strategy which aims to further enhance the experience for students and staff on campus, especially our brilliant sports team and world class athletes.
“It is such an exciting time to be part of the College community as we are investing millions in improvements such as our new T Level Centre, Institute of Technology building and new Digital Skills Hub.
“It really feels like we’re at the start of our journey to revamp our fantastic campus and make it the best possible place to learn and to work.”
The College was one of only 62 colleges nationwide to be successful in bids for grant funding from the DfE’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund (FECTF).
Stuart Lindeman, chair of governors at Loughborough College, said: “This latest funding announcement is fantastic news for the College, but most importantly for our learners. The investment in the new facility means we can boost our elite sport provision as well as modernise other parts of the campus.”
England’s Handball squad uses the College’s facilities for training and will benefit from the new sports hall along with the scores of elite athletes who are based at the College.
Loughborough College has earmarked more than £30 million of investment in the campus, resources and other facilities over the last 12 months in one of the most exciting improvement plans in the College’s history.
As well as the new sports hall, investments include:
- State-of-the-art T Level Centre
- An Institute of Technology facility
- A Digital Skills Hub
- The Loughborough Careers and Enterprise Hub
- An Esports suite
- An airliner cabin simulator
Pet food manufacturer takes 24,000ft² at Blenheim Park
Hot on the heels of the letting of 81,000ft² to Cotton On Group at Blenheim Park just off Junction 26 of the M1 by FHP and joint agents M1 Agency on behalf of Urban Logistics REIT comes a further deal with the disposal of prime new build space of 24,000ft² to an undisclosed, pet food manufacturer.
Blenheim 24 was one of four speculatively planned and constructed prime manufacturing/distribution units on Blenheim Park, which sits just off Junction 26 of the M1 on the edge of Nottingham. This is the third deal on the site following on from the lettings of speculative units of 18,000ft² and 81,000ft², leaving merely the final building available of 43,000ft² which has just completed and is ready for immediate occupation.
The letting of Blenheim 24 was completed by Chris Proctor and Tim Gilbertson of FHP Property Consultants on behalf of Urban Logistics. Chris said: “It was a pleasure to deal with our new occupier here and their investment in the building will no doubt create success and new jobs for the region. This is the third letting we have now completed on the site and we only have one unit left available of just over 43,000ft² which is immediately available on a new lease.”
John Barker, head of development at Urban Logistics REIT, added: “We have been pleased with the interest shown in the ten unit scheme where we partnered with Wilson Bowden. The six units in the East Midlands have generated strong interest and the four unit scheme at Kingsway in Rochdale, due for practical completion at the beginning of October, which is encouraging.”
Olivia Salisbury, asset manager at Urban Logistics REIT, said: “We are delighted to have let the third unit in the scheme so quickly after practical completion. This is testament to the quality of the units built by Wilson Bowden and their contractors, Glencar and the location of the scheme, so close to Junction 26 of the M1 and Nottingham City Centre.”
Toby Wilson at M1 Agency added: “We are down to the last unit on Blenheim Park, which is a credit to the quality and location of these units. The remaining unit of 43,000ft² is the only immediately available Grade A warehouse within Nottingham of its size range currently, so we would urge occupiers to come forward before it is too late.”
Joules names new CEO
Joules, the Market Harborough-based lifestyle group, has revealed that Jonathon Brown will become its new Chief Executive Officer.
This follows the announcement in May 2022 that Nick Jones would be stepping down from the role during 2022. Jonathon will initially join the group as CEO designate on 7 September 2022 and will become CEO on 30 September following a short handover period from Nick.
Jonathon is a proven leader with a strong track record of improving performance and implementing strategic transformation programmes across several digital and retail businesses. He started his career in various marketing and digital roles, including at Schroders, British Airways and Coca-Cola.
He has held senior positions at Aviva, where he was head of e-Channels, Kingfisher, where he was director of Multichannel, and John Lewis, where he was Omnichannel director. He was previously CEO of MandM Direct, where he executed a successful turnaround plan, and COO of Photobox Group, where he led the strategic, commercial, and organisational transformation of the group, working across the brand portfolio including PhotoBox and Moonpig.
Most recently, Jonathon was CEO of Compare the Market, part of BGL Group, where he led the business through a successful period of strategic transformation and growth.
Jonathon Brown said: “I am delighted to have been selected to lead Joules at such an important time in its development. Joules is a very strong brand, with a highly relevant purpose and product proposition. The group’s digitalisation in recent years as well as its increased customer base mean it has very solid foundations for the future.
“Whilst there have been some headwinds in the past year, I am very excited by the business’s future opportunities. The group is making strong progress against its clear plans to improve profitability by simplifying the business and optimising the cost base. I look forward to working closely with the Joules team to return the business to sustainable, profitable growth and optimise the significant future opportunities available to us.”
Ian Filby, non-executive chairman of Joules, said: “The Board was in unanimous agreement that, amongst some very high calibre candidates, Jonathan was the standout choice to be our new CEO. He has significant experience across the retail and digital industries, a proven track-record of delivering business transformation, and the vision and ambition to lead Joules through the next stages of its development. The Board has every confidence in him, and we look forward to working closely together over the coming years.
“I would again like to place on record the group’s thanks to Nick for his contributions during his time with Joules, and in particular his continued outstanding commitment and drive over recent months. Under Nick’s leadership Joules has made good progress against its strategy to develop as a digital-led lifestyle group and, more recently, he has spearheaded the implementation of several important strategic initiatives that the Board believes will underpin the group’s future success.”
East Midlands digital PR agency welcomes strategy consultancy to client base
Digital PR agency Jennie Holland PR has been appointed by strategy consultancy Wingman Ltd, headed by former England rugby star Rory Underwood.
Jennie Holland PR, a PR agency in the heart of Nottingham that designs and implements PR and social media campaigns for both B2B and B2C clients across multiple sectors, has been appointed by Nottinghamshire-based Wingman Ltd to provide digital PR services, covering media relations and social content.
Founded by former England rugby union player Rory Underwood MBE DL in 2009, Wingman supports businesses by showing them how to build the sustainable environments required to enable them to deliver their strategy effectively.
Jennie Holland PR will be an extension of Wingman’s in-house marketing department and has been appointed to deliver a digital PR strategy, to help build the profile and reputation of the firm both regionally and nationally, and to shout about its achievements and upcoming events, talks and business retreats, often led by Rory.
Founded on Rory’s 35+ years of experience across elite sport, the military and business, Wingman has an in-depth, unique understanding of what makes a productive and healthy work environment and an engaged, motivated team.
The company mentors businesses on how they can achieve excellent results through an effective implementation plan, engaging and aligning the whole organisation to deliver the strategy.
Wingman and Jennie Holland PR are both ambassadors for Team Lincolnshire, an independent ambassador programme championing Greater Lincolnshire’s communities, businesses and quality of life, and first met over three years ago at a talk given by Rory.
Georgina Mackintosh, senior PR manager at Jennie Holland PR, said: “Wingman is an incredibly impressive firm built on Rory’s inspiring career and myself and the rest of the team are delighted to be working together.
“Wingman has been delivering remarkable results through its specialist programmes nationwide for the past 13 years – enabling positive change within businesses that is measurable and impactful. We will be Rory and team’s publicity partner, helping them to reach new audiences with their unique services.”
Rory, director of Wingman, said: “We are very much looking forward to working with Georgina and the rest of team at Jennie Holland PR. Wingman has certainly come a long way since our inception and I’m very proud of the team and all that we have achieved together.
“Now feels like the right time to increase and strengthen our presence and build on our many successes. We want to take Wingman to the next level and this PR team is the ideal partner to help us get there.”
CTS Group makes sixth acquisition in 18 months
Leicester-headquartered CTS Group (Construction Testing Solutions), a provider of Geotechnical Consulting, Construction Materials Testing and Surveying and Monitoring services, have acquired Concept Engineering Consultants Limited, a leader in geotechnical, structural and geo-environmental services.
Operating across the UK and with headquarters in London, Concept Engineering employs 105 staff. The company was originally established in 1997, consulting for civil, structural and geotechnical projects and surveying buildings across London.
This is the sixth acquisition by the CTS Group over the last 18 months.
Chief Executive Officer for the CTS Group, Phil Coles, said: “Offering superb coring and drilling capabilities, as well as a wide range of high-quality site investigation services will be a strong addition to our growing portfolio of Geotechnical Consulting, Construction Materials Testing and Surveying and Monitoring Services.
“I am delighted that Concept Engineering will become part of the CTS Group and look forward to working with Milan, Anastasia, Natalie and the management team to continue to grow the business. This latest acquisition complements the previous deals announced over the last two years as we continue to grow and develop a strong team with the skills and knowledge to deliver a quality and trusted service to our customers.”
Concept Engineering’s CEO, Milan Dedic, added: “We are delighted to become part of the CTS Group and continue to bring innovative site investigation solutions to our clients.
“We look forward to the opportunity to expand the business as part of the group and having met the senior leadership team at CTS we believe we have found a company with a similar ethos to our own and see exciting times ahead. Together we will be able to offer our clients a market leading range of construction related testing, inspection and compliance services.”
Plans revealed to breathe new life into Nottingham Guildhall regeneration site
Vita Group has submitted plans for a major mixed-use development at Nottingham’s Guildhall and its adjacent site.
An important redevelopment site for the city, Guildhall is a Grade II listed building, originally built in 1887 and once home to the city’s Magistrates’ Court along with the former fire and police stations.
Vita Group’s proposal is specific to the former fire and police stations, bringing forward plans for a PBSA-led mixed-use development creating 967 student rooms. The accommodation will be supported with a residents’ gym, dance studio, co-study spaces, cinema and games rooms.
Along with the accommodation, plans also outline provisions for a public facing Market Food Hall for around 500 diners.
Vita Group says the proposals have been designed to sit within its surroundings sensitively and sustainably on Shakespeare Street, North Church Street and South Sherwood Street and will complement the existing plans already approved for a hotel on the Guildhall site. Plans also outline better provision for pedestrian friendly pavements and support biodiversity with significant planting and new trees.
Mark Oakes, chief commercial officer for Vita Group, said: “A vastly underutilised redevelopment opportunity, Guildhall has the potential to be one of Nottingham’s major landmarks once again, bringing significant investment to the city and a historically important building back to life.
“The plans aim to create best-in-class student accommodation with outstanding amenities, whilst also easing pressures on local housing stock. The Market Food Hall will create a go-to destination for all the city to enjoy, providing the perfect backdrop for exciting new independent restauranteurs to bring their new ventures to people across the region.”
Nominations close on Friday! Enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 NOW!
With nominations closing this Friday (19 August) for East Midlands Business Link’s prestigious Bricks Awards, don’t miss this opportunity to raise the profile of your business by submitting a nomination!
Celebrating the region’s property and construction industry, its people, and outstanding developments, the annual awards attract leaders from across the region and are the perfect way for businesses to promote the work they are completing and create more buzz.
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.
A highlight in the business calendar, winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of chances to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Henry Brothers, winners of Commercial Development of the Year at the 2021 East Midlands Bricks Awards, reflected on the event: “Henry Brothers was absolutely thrilled to have won the Commercial Development of the Year award at the East Midlands Bricks for the delivery of the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility at Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton Campus.
“The Henry Brothers story began in Northern Ireland in the 1970s and the company has grown to become a leading UK construction company. However, this award for Henry Brothers Midlands cements our position as a significant member of the East Midlands construction sector and we are very proud to have been recognised for our contribution.
“We enjoyed the informal atmosphere of the East Midlands Bricks Awards ceremony and hope to nominate projects next year, as we’d very much like to be part of the event in 2022.”
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page. Make your nominations before entries close on Friday 19 August!
The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- 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 (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
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 15 September 2022 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. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
Bookings for the East Midlands Expo heat up
The East Midlands Expo is picking up pace as bookings soar.
Returning on Monday 14 November 2022, the established event of over 20 years offers an ideal day for networking and business generation.
The free to attend expo, for which Business Link is a proud partner, is well targeted and aimed at the construction, property, business, investment, finance, professional services and related B2B markets.
Event organiser Tina King said: “Hot, hot, hot, and not just the weather. Bookings for the East Midlands Expo and Property & Business Investment Nottingham 14 November event are steaming ahead – up by over 40% versus the same period last year. It is great to see so many exhibitors and delegates engaging with networking and exhibiting again following Covid restrictions.”
Taking place at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, the exhibition will open to attendees at 9am, with a seminar taking place between 10:45am and noon.
A special networking lunch (for which tickets can be purchased here) will then take place between 12:15pm and 2:15pm, and the exhibition will close at 3:30pm.
For more information on exhibiting at the event click here.
To register to attend the event for free click here.
To secure tickets for the networking lunch click here.
From property agents to developers, architects, contractors, investors, PR firms, and more, see the list of current exhibitors here.Northampton-based accountancy firm acquired by local counterpart
Cottons Accountants Northampton has acquired J R Watson & Co, a fellow Northampton-based accountancy firm, as part of its continued growth plans.
Established over 100 years ago, J R Watson & Co has been providing accountancy and taxation services to small and medium sized business and individuals in the Northamptonshire and Warwickshire areas.
A natural stage in the business lifecycle, the retiring partners are passing the baton to Cottons, along with a high-calibre team.
“The team at Cottons have worked hard to ensure the merger for the existing partners has been as seamless as possible, as they transition towards retirement. We are very much looking forward to working with the J R Watson & Co team and clients on this next chapter,” said Charles Hill, director, Cottons.
“We pride ourselves on our service, and this new merger provides our clients with an opportunity to continue with a long-term partnership, with familiar faces and access to a wider, more modern service offering. We feel our clients are in good hands,” said Alan Markham, J R Watson & Co partner.
All seven J R Watson & Co staff are being retained.
