With nominations set to close on Friday 19 August for the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, time is running out to make your submissions. Celebrating the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, the Bricks provide a prime opportunity to put property and construction businesses, professionals and projects in the spotlight while networking with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks. To make an entry for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page. This year’s must-attend awards ceremony, revealing winners, will take place on Thursday 15 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, and will hear from John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby – the evening’s keynote speaker. Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

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The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands survey highlighted a further expansion in permanent placements and temporary billings in July. That said, the rates of increase slowed to the softest in the respective 17 and 25-month sequences of growth. The rise in permanent salaries eased for the second month running to the slowest since June 2021, while inflation of hourly pay rates for temporary staff also eased. Finally, skilled staff shortages contributed to a further marked reduction in permanent candidate availability, albeit one that was the least marked since May 2021. The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands. Softest rise in permanent placements in 17 months The rate of growth in permanent placements across the Midlands slowed at the start of the third quarter. The increase was solid overall but the softest seen in the current 17-month sequence of growth. Recruitment consultancies indicated that while demand for staff remained high, there were several reports that job offers were turned downed in favour of other opportunities amid candidate shortages. The increase in the Midlands was the fastest of the four monitored English regions. July data pointed to a continued increase in temporary billings in the Midlands. That said, the rate of expansion was much slower than seen earlier in the year and was only marginal. Respondents suggested that clients were increasingly making existing temporary staff permanent or not renewing temporary contracts. Growth in temp billings in the Midlands was the weakest of the monitored regions and well below the national level. Permanent vacancies increased at a marked pace in the Midlands during July. The rate of increase softened for the second successive month and led to the slowest rise in permanent vacancies for 17 months. The rise in the Midlands was also the slowest of the four monitored English regions. Demand for temporary staff also rose steeply in the latest survey period. The pace of expansion eased from June to the softest since February 2021 and was weaker than the national average. Softer decline in permanent candidate numbers The Midlands saw a further reduction in the supply of permanent candidates during July. The rate of decrease remained marked, yet eased considerably to the slowest since May 2021. Anecdotal evidence suggested that people were reluctant to move at present due to economic headwinds and the cost of living crisis. At the national level, the reduction in the availability of permanent staff was quicker than that seen in the Midlands. Recruitment consultancies indicated that temporary candidate numbers decreased at a robust pace in July. That said, the pace of reduction slowed from June to reach the softest for 16 months. A number of respondents indicated that skills shortages had contributed to the lack of available staff for temp roles. The reduction in temp staff availability in the Midlands was the second-slowest of the four monitored regions, behind the South of England. Permanent salary growth eases to 13-month low Salaries for permanent new joiners in the Midlands increased for the seventeenth month in a row in July. While historically elevated, the rate of inflation eased to the softest since June 2021. Recruiters noted a lack of suitable candidates and pressure to increase salaries to entice staff were behind the rise in permanent salaries. The increase in permanent salaries in the Midlands was the slowest of the four English regions covered, however. Hourly pay rates for temporary staff rose markedly during July. The rate of inflation eased from that seen in June and was the second-softest recorded in the past 14 months. Recruitment consultancies indicated that candidate supply shortages had been a leading factor behind higher pay rates. On a regional basis, the increase in the Midlands was the slowest of the four monitored regions. Commenting on the latest survey results, Kate Holt, people consulting partner at KPMG UK, said: “The trend of uncertainty in the UK jobs market of the last few months continues, as overall hiring activity saw another slowdown in July. Given the challenging economic outlook, employers are rightly hesitant about their hiring plans. But to compound this, a lack of suitable candidates and an overall skills shortage in most sectors are keeping starting salaries high. “As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite – alongside rising inflation – some workers may well choose to stay where they are rather than risk job security by moving now. However, it’s important to note that it is still very much a candidate’s market – and so, businesses should not only be offering competitive salaries, but additional opportunities for development and upskilling to ensure that they are attracting the talent they need.” Kate Shoesmith, deputy CEO of the REC, said: “The jobs market remains solid. Demand for staff continues to rise, as it has done since early 2021, rising in every sector. Starting salaries are still growing too, making this a good time for jobseekers to be looking for their next role. “However, growth in permanent hiring has softened in recent months. We’ve seen that rising fuel and energy prices, inflation and labour shortages are impacting employer confidence. Labour and skills shortages are also restricting opportunities for both the private and public sector to meet consumer demand. Our latest report shows that these constraints could cost the UK economy up to £39 billion a year if we don’t work to fix these issues now. “So it’s vital that both government and businesses start putting their people and their staffing strategies first. We know what needs to be done: there should be improved provision of skills training, increased employment from under-represented groups, and we need good transport, childcare and immigration systems.”

Digital PR firm Jennie Holland PR has been appointed by wills and probate specialist Right Legal Group. Based in Nottingham, Jennie Holland PR provides digital marketing services, with a focus on media relations, social media management, content creation, influencer marketing and crisis communications. Right Legal Group, which has its HQ in Derby, is a wills, probate and estate planning law firm with 10 locations across England and Wales. The firm, which is regulated by the solicitor’s regulation authority, has appointed Jennie Holland PR to publicise and build online profile of its bespoke services and help share its mission of ensuring memories and legacy are part of the wills process for future generations – enabling families to stay connected. Managing Director, Jennie Holland, said: “Right Legal is a business with a clear purpose and mission which is an excellent platform for a successful digital PR campaign. “The team’s passion and commitment to their clients and their loved ones is admirable and we are proud to be working with them. “As an agency, we are seeing a significant period of growth as the demand for digital PR and marketing services increases year on year, despite the pandemic. As a boutique and agile firm, all our work is director led and is one of the reasons we are chosen as a marketing partner by our clients.” Right Legal Group had secured a number of accolades over the last 12 months, including being coined ‘one to watch’ on the ‘Best Companies’ list in 2021*, whilst being highly commended at the Wills and Probates Awards in 2021 for the category ‘Solicitor Firm of the Year’. Carrie Caladine, Managing Director at Right Legal, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Jennie Holland PR and look forward to seeing how their expertise can enhance our digital presence, whilst generating relevant conversations regarding our services. “At Right Legal, we believe that making a will is a lot more than just an allocation of physical assets. It’s your chance to leave behind memories and legacies for future generations, ensuring your wishes are respected and that your loved ones are taken care of emotionally as well as financially. “As family is at the heart of everything we do, we want to get people thinking about how they would like to be remembered once they pass, rather than just dictating who will receive their financial assets. With the help of Jennie Holland PR, we believe we can further this message, whilst pushing our services to a wider audience.” Jennie Holland PR has won a raft of new business over the last six months including Midland’s travel company The Perfect Break, residential property development firm, Sherwood Oak Homes and chartered quantity surveyor and project management company, Addison Hunt.