Nottingham SEO agency celebrates industry recognition at European awards
Landscape architecture practice invests in Newark conservation area premises
East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025: “I would wholeheartedly encourage businesses from across the East Midlands property and construction landscape to get involved” says past winner
To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here.
Supporting imagery, video, documents, or links to these, can be sent to bricks@blmgroup.co.uk. Video nomination pitches are also welcome as an alternative or companion to written entries. Categories include:- Contractor of the Year
- Developer of the Year
- Architects of the Year
- Most Active Agent
- Deal of the Year
- Residential Development of the Year
- Sustainable Development of the Year
- Commercial Development of the Year
- Excellence in Design
- Responsible Business of the Year
- Overall Winner
Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.
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 here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
With a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remaining, please contact Angie Cooper at a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk to learn more if you are interested in becoming an East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 sponsor. Business photography available from £300
- Staff headshots (studio or environmental)
- Team/group photos
- Brand lifestyle photography (showing people using the product/service)
- Website imagery (custom photos for webpages)
- Social media content (curated photo sets for campaigns)
- Behind-the-scenes photography
- Product photography (e-commerce, catalogue, lifestyle)
- Interior and exterior shots (e.g. office, restaurant, retail)
- Corporate events (conferences, product launches)
- Trade shows and exhibitions
- Workshops and training sessions
- Ribbon-cutting ceremonies or PR events
- Awards and employee recognition events
- Office lifestyle photography (candid shots of the team at work)
- Photo retouching and editing
‘Sharp’ deal sealed on High Street
Derby biotech N4 Pharma strengthens leadership to advance drug delivery platform
N4 Pharma, a Derby-based biotech firm, has expanded its senior leadership team as it moves to accelerate the development and commercial readiness of its Nuvec® delivery technology.
The new team includes experienced figures from global pharmaceutical and biotech organisations, brought in to support internal R&D, commercial strategy, and manufacturing functions.
Dr Fiona McLaughlin will lead research and development, drawing on over two decades of oncology drug development at GSK, Bayer, and Avacta. Dr Mark Edbrooke, with prior leadership roles in functional genomics at GSK and oncology at AstraZeneca, takes up the role of head of strategy. Commercial director Dr Simon Bennett brings experience from more than 70 biopharma companies, having facilitated over 80 commercial transactions. Dr Margaret Courtney, now leading Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC), has consulted widely across biotech and pharma on drug delivery and contract manufacturing operations.
The appointments reflect N4 Pharma’s focus on advancing its proprietary Nuvec nanoparticle platform, designed to enhance the delivery of RNA and DNA therapeutics. The company aims to secure commercial partnerships and establish an internal pipeline of RNA-based therapies.
Conygar returns to profit and restructures Nottingham loan
Property investment firm Conygar has posted a £6.3 million profit for the six months to 31 March 2025, marking a return to profitability following the sale of two assets in Anglesey: Holyhead Waterfront and Parc Cybi. The disposals contributed to the company’s improved financial position, following losses in the previous period.
The developer also confirmed the restructuring of its Barclays development loan linked to the Winfield Court student accommodation at Nottingham’s Island Quarter. The revised agreement extends the final repayment deadline from March 2025 to December 2025, providing additional flexibility amid ongoing development activity.
Operationally, Conygar reported solid progress at the Island Quarter. Student accommodation lettings at Winfield Court are on track for the upcoming academic year. Meanwhile, revenues at the Cleaver & Wake and Binks Yard hospitality venues have held steady, with margins showing gradual improvement despite wider sector pressures.
The company remains cautiously optimistic about its pipeline, citing supportive trends in the UK real estate market, including continued rental growth, limited new construction activity, and easing lending conditions. Conygar sees long-term value in its Nottingham project and broader portfolio, anticipating future opportunities that align with investor demand for high-quality, sustainable assets.
Oadby & Wigston businesses invited to apply for up to £3,000 in green funding
Oadby & Wigston Borough Council (OWBC) is offering local businesses the chance to apply for up to £3,000 of funding to reduce their carbon footprints and work towards a greener future.
The Green Grant Scheme is designed to help businesses in the borough invest in solutions which will increase their sustainability in the long term, which could include adopting green transport solutions such as e-bikes, or installing energy-efficient systems such as LED lighting, solar panels or heat pumps.
All local businesses are invited to a launch night on Thursday 12 June where they can learn more about the grant and how to submit a successful application. The event is taking place at the Oadby & Wigston Borough Council Offices. For more information, or to RSVP to the launch event, businesses should contact business@oadby-wigston.gov.uk.
OWBC has made a pot of £30,000 available, funded by UK Government, in total for the scheme. Funding of £500 – £3,000 will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible businesses who have a premises and demonstrate they meet all of the application criteria. Applications will close on 30 September 2025, or earlier if the allocation is spent.
Councillor Lee Bentley, deputy leader of OWBC, said: “We are delighted to introduce the Green Grant Scheme as part of our ongoing commitment to reducing our borough’s carbon footprint.
“Supporting local businesses to become more sustainable is an important goal of our new Climate Change Strategy and also supports the UK Government’s goal of a Net Zero economy by 2050.
“As well as the environmental boost this funding could make a real, economic difference to local businesses by allowing them to install more efficient systems, leading to lower overheads and increased profits.
“This is a great opportunity for our businesses, and I really encourage them to come along to the launch night on Thursday 12 June to learn more and think about applying.”
Games Workshop boosts staff bonus after record year
Games Workshop will distribute £20 million in staff bonuses following a strong financial year. The Warhammer franchise continues to grow its global footprint across retail, licensing, and entertainment.
The payout, shared equally among employees, marks an increase from £18 million the previous year and reflects another year of rising revenue and profit. The company currently projects sales of at least £560 million for the year ending 1 June, up from £494.7 million. Licensing income is expected to reach £50 million, primarily driven by its partnership with Amazon to adapt Warhammer 40,000 into television and film.
Games Workshop’s pre-tax profit is forecast at at least £255 million, with core operating profit at £210 million. These figures follow a year of record retail sales across the UK, North America, and Continental Europe, as well as the successful launch of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, which sold five million copies by the end of November.
The company’s continued expansion into media and entertainment, supported by defined creative agreements with Amazon, has bolstered its IP monetisation strategy. It also recently entered the FTSE 100 index for the first time, reflecting nearly a decade of consistent growth.
Despite the strong outlook, shares fell 4.5% on Friday morning, making Games Workshop the largest faller on the FTSE. Its current market capitalisation stands at nearly £5 billion.
Midlands selects nine digital health firms for NHS innovation drive
Nine digital health companies have been selected for the inaugural cohort of Grow Digital Health Midlands, a regional accelerator focused on scaling healthcare technology across the NHS and broader care system.
Launched in early 2025 as the successor to the East Midlands Digital Health Accelerator, the programme is delivered by Health Innovation East Midlands and Health Innovation West Midlands. It targets high-potential digital solutions that align with national NHS priorities and specific regional challenges, particularly those aimed at improving workforce productivity, enhancing communication, and reducing pressure on hospital services.
The selected companies will receive tailored support, including one-on-one business coaching and access to clinical, regulatory, and commercial expertise. They will also have opportunities to present their technologies directly to NHS stakeholders and care leaders across the Midlands.
The cohort includes Appthealth, which automates care coordination for patients with multiple long-term conditions, and Hope for the Community, which provides digital self-management tools for individuals with chronic illnesses and their carers. AirEmail offers a platform to improve email workflows for healthcare professionals, while Kaenect delivers AI-powered referral automation and patient engagement tools. Surgfit supports remote pre-operative assessment to enhance clinical decision-making, and Heidi Health enables automatic medical transcription to reduce clinician admin. Suvera operates virtual clinics to improve primary care outcomes for patients with long-term conditions. ExpertCare focuses on personalised decision support for hypertension, and Note Dr provides AI-generated clinical documentation in real time.
The Midlands, which spans 11 integrated care systems and a population of nearly 12 million, is the largest NHS region in England. The programme was developed in close consultation with local NHS leaders to ensure each selected solution aligns with regional goals and demonstrates high potential for real-world adoption.
BGF commits £300m to Midlands businesses
Three Bunkers Challenge surpasses £60,000 raised for charity
Landmark lease agreement to see £80m logistics hub built in Leicestershire
Merger strengthens Duncan & Toplis’s footprint in Leicester
Leicester-based accountancy firm Torr Waterfield is set to merge with Duncan & Toplis, expanding the latter’s presence in the Midlands. Subject to regulatory approval, the merger will see Torr Waterfield rebrand under the Duncan & Toplis name.
Founded in 2000, Torr Waterfield provides tax, accountancy, and business advisory services. All 60 staff members, including the firm’s co-founders, will remain in their roles, and the Clarence Street office in Leicester will become part of Duncan & Toplis’s regional network.
The merger is part of Torr Waterfield’s strategic growth plan to enhance service capabilities and client reach. For Duncan & Toplis, it marks another step in its expansion strategy following the February acquisition of North London-based ALG.
Duncan & Toplis has been in business since 1925 and operates 13 offices across the Midlands and London. This latest integration underscores its focus on regional consolidation and investment in experienced teams.
Trade deals open new export pathways for East Midlands sectors
Businesses in the East Midlands are poised to benefit from three major trade agreements recently finalised by the UK Government with India, the United States, and the European Union.
The region’s aerospace sector employs over 23,000 people and is among the primary beneficiaries. The removal of US tariffs on UK aerospace exports and the reduction of Indian tariffs on advanced machinery and medical devices are expected to strengthen supply chains and improve export margins for companies such as Rolls-Royce and other regional employers.
Agricultural producers, supporting over 30,000 jobs in the East Midlands, are also expected to gain from reduced red tape and easier access to the EU market. The new agreement cuts customs checks and other administrative burdens, simplifying cross-border trade for food producers and manufacturers.
Steel businesses employing more than 2,000 people in the region will benefit from continued protections on British exports to the EU, shielding them from restrictive tariffs and trade barriers.
New opportunities are emerging for East Midlands exporters targeting the Indian market. In 2024, 740 regional businesses exported goods worth £308 million to India. The new UK-India deal eliminates import duties on several goods, expanding market access, particularly for the fashion and consumer goods sectors.
The deals across these sectors are expected to foster greater trade stability, attract inward investment, and protect existing jobs while opening up new commercial opportunities in global markets.
Uber launches courier service for business deliveries in Leicester and beyond
Uber has rolled out a new courier service across the UK, including Sheffield, aimed at individuals and small businesses needing fast, local deliveries. The new feature, Uber Courier, is now available through the Uber app and allows users to send and receive items up to 15 lbs in weight and under £200 in value.
Currently, the service is available in cities such as Sheffield, Glasgow, Oxford, Edinburgh, Leicester, and Belfast. By summer, it is expected to reach 20 locations. Upcoming rollouts include key business hubs such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Bristol.
Designed to support sectors like retail, legal services, and independent boutiques, Uber Courier enables SMEs to manage local deliveries on demand without traditional logistics contracts. Features such as real-time tracking, PIN code verification, and shareable updates for recipients support deliveries.
Uber Courier integrates directly into the existing app, offering a streamlined delivery solution that helps small businesses maintain customer satisfaction while staying flexible and cost-effective.
Contruction underway on state of the art visitor centre at Bennerley Viaduct
Hospital trust targets major agency staff cuts in cost-saving drive
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) is implementing aggressive cost-cutting measures to save £67 million by the end of March 2026. Among the key initiatives is a reduction in agency staff expenditure by a minimum of 30%, a 10% cut in bank staffing costs, and a £3.3 million decrease in corporate expenses.
The trust previously achieved £62.7 million in savings in 2024/25 but acknowledges that further reductions are needed to meet national financial expectations for NHS trusts. The move forms part of a broader effort to address ongoing budgetary pressures and enhance operational efficiency.
The trust has positioned these changes as part of a broader push across the NHS to deliver better taxpayer value while maintaining quality care. There is an emphasis on using resources more effectively rather than compromising safety or performance.
Trade unions, including Unison, have expressed willingness to collaborate with the trust to ensure changes are implemented fairly and safely for both staff and patients.
Translink Express secures £5m logistics deal with Ramon Hygiene
Translink Express Logistics has signed a five-year agreement valued at £5 million to continue providing logistics and warehousing services for Ramon Hygiene Products. The Leicester-based hygiene supplier relies on Translink Express to manage daily pallet shipments across the UK, which range from 100 to 150 fully tracked units destined for supermarkets, wholesalers, and distribution centres.
The renewed contract extends a partnership that began in 2007 and includes warehousing support for Ramon Hygiene’s extensive product range. Translink Express operates from its Narborough headquarters and a 62,000 sq. ft. storage and distribution facility in Whetstone.
The company’s logistics capabilities are strengthened through its membership in the Pallet-Track network, which enables national coverage through a network of shareholder members. The deal is the largest in Translink’s history and reflects its role as a key B2B logistics partner for growing enterprises.
Both firms are locally based and family-run, reinforcing a regional supply chain partnership that supports national distribution. The contract positions Translink Express to scale its operations with Ramon Hygiene’s growth, while offering consistent service delivery across the UK.
Leicester business expands with a tasty acquisition
