Loughborough University to help make manufacturing more eco-friendly

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Loughborough University to help make manufacturing more eco-friendly

Loughborough University’s role in a national partnership will develop tools and technologies to help manufacturers across the UK become more efficient and eco-friendly.

The University has been announced as a partner in a new research hub focused on creating a sustainable circular manufacturing ecosystem nationwide. The hub, which will be named the EPSRC Manufacturing Research Hub in Robotics, Automation & Smart Machine Enabled Sustainable Circular Manufacturing & Materials (RESCu-M2), will be led by the University of Birmingham as part of UK Research and Innovation’s ‘Manufacturing research hubs for a sustainable future’ programme. The aim of the hub is to transform the sustainable use of critical materials, whilst improving the productivity of ‘Re-X’ manufacturing processes – which include reusing, repurposing, repairing, remanufacturing, and recycling. These processes are currently much more labour-intensive than traditional manufacturing and businesses could save up to £23bn per year by making improvements at little or no cost. Professor Shahin Rahimifard from the University’s Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, believes the impact of the hub can be wide-reaching: “It’s vitally important for all manufacturing businesses to embrace sustainable and circular innovative technologies being investigated by the hub. “These will aid global societies to tackle many challenges in “new norms” caused by the rapidly evolving and growing climate crisis. “Diminishing material reserves, the rapid growing industrial waste, increasing diversity of environmental regulations alongside the socio-political concerns regarding undisrupted access to critical raw materials have formed a perfect storm which leaves us with little choice but to take this path. “Introducing a widespread move to a circular economy will take advantage of the latest advancements in intelligent automation to improve productivity and reduce costs whilst seeing material resources retained and reused – rather than being lost to landfill or converted to energy. “It’s fantastic that Loughborough University is a part of this wider project. The Centre for Sustainable Manufacturing and Recycling Technologies (SMART) has been at the forefront of the circular manufacturing approach for the past two decades and our latest project, ReMed, which is investigating the circular use of medical devices has been adopted as one of the flagship themes of the new hub.”

Mayor sets out vision for high streets and visitor economy in Newark

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Mayor sets out vision for high streets and visitor economy in Newark
Backing high streets and championing the region’s visitor economy were two key priorities outlined by the East Midlands Mayor on a visit to Newark. Claire Ward, who was recently elected as the first-ever East Midlands Mayor, visited Newark where she met with small business owners, community leaders and representatives from Newark and Sherwood District Council. The visit included a tour around the town’s historic marketplace and conversations with the owner of local independent business BeanBlock Community Café. This allowed the Mayor to understand more about the current challenges faced by retailers and the types of support that could be provided to help high streets across the region thrive. Representatives from the council provided a tour of current projects in the town, including the Riverside regeneration project, the redevelopment of a former retail space on Stodman Street into high-quality living accommodation and a trip to Newark Castle to learn about the ambitious Gatehouse project, which will be a key attraction to help bring more visitors into the town. Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “I’ve had a great visit to Newark to see the potential they have and learn about the extra investment they have received and how it’s being used to revitalise the town centre. “We’re seeing local towns and cities across the region recognising that the future of our high streets is a mixed economy with services, community activities, housing, and a great retail offer. Providing this mix of uses helps increase visitor numbers which will ensure places can thrive, creating new jobs and opportunities for our residents. “The most exciting part of being Mayor is looking at the all the fantastic work being done by councils across the region and thinking about how strategically we can bring together the funding and powers from Westminster to support these areas and deliver the changes our residents want to see.” Cllr Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the first ever regional Mayor for the East Midlands Claire Ward to our wonderful town of Newark. It’s an exciting time for the area and through collaborative working, we’re eager to bring more opportunities, a bigger voice and more influence locally. “Championing our High Streets, supporting job growth and making places more vibrant are some of our top priorities and these are shared by the East Midlands Combined Authority. “We both share a passion for making our town centres a bustling place to visit by working to increase footfall through several means including events and business engagement. We’re looking forward to the next few years of positive collaboration that will benefit our residents across the district.” Claire Ward was elected as the first Mayor of the East Midlands Region on Friday 3 May. As Mayor she will lead the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and, over time, have access to over £4 billion in funding, alongside devolved powers around transport, housing, skills and adult education, Net-Zero and economic development. This week the Mayor will be representing the East Midlands at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), where she will be participating in a panel session to tell people exactly why they should invest in the region – and why it should be now. She will also be launching a new investment prospectus to highlight the region’s key investment opportunities and explaining the role the region can play in the future of energy at the East Midlands Hydrogen reception.

Research and technology organisation joins Space Park Leicester

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Research and technology organisation joins Space Park Leicester
An independent research and technology organisation has joined the University of Leicester’s £100 million science and innovation park – Space Park Leicester. TWI is a membership-driven organisation which helps firms design, create and operate products by providing them with expert advice and safety assurance related to engineering, materials and joining technologies. It has been active in the space sector for decades and has joined Space Park Leicester to further increase its reputation among space companies. TWI Business Development Manager Vito Di Pietro said: “We’re very well suited to tackling the manufacturing challenges faced by space companies and have joined Space Park Leicester to define our identity in the sector. “Joining Space Park Leicester is helping us to engage with other established space companies and organisations and gives us a physical presence in the East Midlands to take advantage of regional funding opportunities and to join local clusters. “Moreover, we see value in gaining access to Space Park Leicester’s manufacturing and testing capabilities which are complementary to our offering.” As of this month, TWI is also the European Space Agency’s official Technology Broker in the UK and will run a Space technology transfer programme called Prepare for Space. The Technology Broker activity aims to create, support and promote an ecosystem of space and non-space entities. The Prepare for Space programme will enable companies from non-space sectors to apply for business and technical support to reduce the barriers to entering the space industry. Vito added: “We see this as an opportunity for collaboration with Space Park Leicester and the University of Leicester, and as an additional service that Space Park Leicester could offer to attract new players to the space sector and to Leicester’s new Space City cluster.” Vinay Patel, Head of Commercial and Innovation at Space Park Leicester, said: “TWI is one of the world’s foremost independent research and technology organisations. It employs around 650 people and has an annual turnover in excess of £60 million. “TWI has provided services such as the development of materials, coatings processes and procedures to the space industry for over 30 years, working on several projects related to materials engineering and manufacturing technologies, developing advanced welding, joining and inspection technologies for space applications, as well as innovative materials such as lightweight alloys and composites. “We’re thrilled that TWI has joined our vibrant community at Space Park Leicester.”

£1.4m grant awarded to revamp Newark Castle Gatehouse

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£1.4m grant awarded to revamp Newark Castle Gatehouse
Newark and Sherwood District Council has received a £1.4m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its plans to create a new and improved visitor attraction at Newark Castle.
Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the project will allow visitors into Newark Castle’s original Romanesque Gatehouse where they’ll be able to learn more about the castle’s story through time as five gallery spaces bring its medieval history to life through interactive displays, designed by Nissen Richards Studio. Councillor Rowan Cozens, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is absolutely wonderful news for the town, and is the final piece of the puzzle we’ve been waiting for to kick start this fantastic project. “Without the funding from National Lottery players and the Heritage Fund, we could not start the project, so I’m delighted they have made such a substantial grant to the project, and like us, could see the huge benefit this could bring to Newark. I thank them wholeheartedly.” Robyn Llewellyn, Area Director, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to be supporting these ambitious plans to revitalise the historic Newark Castle Gatehouse. The story of the castle dates back to the 12th century, and it’s fantastic that support from National Lottery players will keep this historic site relevant for future generations.” The project will enable people to discover the origins of the castle and explore the wealth of its history which dates back to the 12th century. There will also be a tower-top viewing platform from which visitors can overlook great views of Trent Valley. The project aims to enhance and protect the natural environment and green space within this historic site, establishing more biodiversity and enhancing accessibility through landscape development. More than 600 visitors and non-visitors were initially consulted to help shape the development. The District Council then worked closely with historians, archaeologists, conservators, ecologists, access consultants, architects and designers to ensure that plans are robust and well-researched. Local people’s ideas were also taken on board and have been incorporated in the final design. HE Milner’s beloved flowerbed will remain, and the gardens will be physically accessible for everybody. It’s anticipated that, once works are completed, the Castle will attract almost 17,000 visitors each year from outside of the district, helping to deliver sustainable economic growth. It is proposed that entry to the exhibition will be half price for Newark and Sherwood residents, with free entry for children and young people. Visitors will also be able to return for free as many times as they like within a 12-month period. Access to the grounds will remain free for all. Councillor Cozens continues: “This project ensures accessibility and biodiversity remains at its very heart while providing a beautiful green space for our residents as well as our visitors. It is hoped that increased visitors to the site will be a huge boost to our local economy too with local businesses having access to more people who can spend in their stores. “The District Council is planning to use the grounds for a range of activities and events for all the community and entry to the galleries itself will be reduced for Newark and Sherwood residents. I’m incredibly excited about the future for Newark Castle and am waiting with eagerness for the next stage in its journey.” The town’s early evening economy will be supported too with plans to improve the lighting in the grounds to enable a safe ‘after dark’ experience. The project will cost £5.4m in total, with a £3m investment already committed from Newark and Sherwood District Council’s application to the Government’s Towns Fund initiative through Newark Town board. Work on the Castle is expected to take place in late 2024 with construction likely to take a couple of years.

Businesses prioritising retention of talent following Covid, finds employment survey

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Businesses prioritising retention of talent following Covid, finds employment survey

Over four out of five businesses across the UK are still struggling to recruit people in 2024 following the Covid-19 pandemic four years ago. A total of 81 per cent of employers revealed the main reason being a lack of candidates with the right skillset.

Hybrid working is also being considered as challenging with HR teams finding people don’t want to return to the office for a variety of reasons, including a number reporting that a factor is anxiety of having to be separated from their pets.

The research, compiled by the employment team at national law firm Freeths, analysed a variety of sectors and found that the main HR priorities for 2024 are retention of employees, health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and motivation, engagement, and performance management.

Amongst this:

  • The most common top HR priority for 2024 is employee retention
  • The most popular reason given for resistance experienced in getting staff to return to the office was that it meant a poorer work life balance.
  • Over 35% of respondents reported that a reason given to them for not wanting to return to work in the office was fear of being separated from their pets
  • Whereas only 20% of these surveyed cited family separation as a reason given for not returning to the office
  • Only a mere 11% of respondents said that they would trust AI tools to recruit the best candidates, and only 19% said that they had a good understanding of artificial intelligence HR tools available.
  • 43% of employers said that they would trust AI tools to support employee learning and development.

Rena Magdani, Partner and National Head of Employment at Freeths, said: “Our survey has provided valuable insights into how businesses are coping with the past and looking to the future. Employers are still experiencing the impact of the covid pandemic with challenges in recruitment and finding working arrangements that suit all parties.

“Looking ahead, there seems to be a low level of trust in AI, perhaps linked to the lack of knowledge of the available tools. It will be interesting to see the extent to which attitudes towards AI will change during this year.”

PR and communications agency appoints former journalist to support East Midlands growth

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PR and communications agency appoints former journalist to support East Midlands growth
A PR, communications and public affairs agency has made a major appointment in its bid to grow in the East Midlands. PLMR Advent, part of the Westminster-based PLMR Group, is based in Coventry and was founded 25 years ago. It has a string of clients in the East Midlands and is looking to grow its client base in the area after some recent wins. It has just appointed Leicestershire-based Paul Suart as an account manager. Suart has 20 years’ experience in the industry as a reporter, copy writer and content editor, most recently working for Reach plc. Suart will work across the PLMR Advent client base and will support growth in the East Midlands. Lee Corden, a PLMR board director who heads the Coventry office, said the appointment was part of a plan to extend the company’s footprint. “We work with clients locally, nationally, and internationally but have a strong focus in the Midlands as we are based in Coventry and Birmingham,” he said. “In recent years, that scope has widened and we work with clients both based in the East Midlands or with projects in the area. “That has gone very well on every level, with our work for them appearing in regional, national and trade titles, and we have grown our client base as a result. “We are delighted to have attracted Paul to join us. He has great experience in the media and his presence in the East Midlands will prove very useful as part of our ongoing push to attract more clients from that part of the region.” Suart added: “I had been considering moving into public relations but wanted it to be with an agency with the highest quality. I have dealt with PLMR Advent for more than a decade and I know how well they represent their clients. “They have a great knowledge of the media, employ staff who have a proven track record in producing accurate and relevant copy and are very sharp when it comes to what has news value. “As a journalist there are certain agencies you can rely on – and PLMR Advent is among the best.”

Island Quarter developer makes gym site purchase

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Island Quarter developer makes gym site purchase

The Conygar Investment Company has purchased the long-leasehold interest of the site occupied by Virgin Active gym, located on The Great Northern Close at The Island Quarter, Nottingham.

The freehold of the site is already owned by Conygar, with the leasehold purchased from Wood Pension fund.

The purchase, which enables better control of Conygar’s arrangements for this and the adjoining site at The Island Quarter, was subject to signing a new direct 25-year lease with Virgin Active at a rent of £600,000 per annum with a 12-month rent free period spread across the first 24 months.

This will replace the rent received by Conygar from the long-leasehold, which amounted to 10% of the rent previously received by the vendor from Virgin Active.

The purchase price of £5.9 million was funded by way of a drawdown of the second and final £7 million tranche of an existing debt facility with ASK Partners Ltd. The surplus funds received over the purchase price and associated fees will be applied in the further progression of The Island Quarter.

New East Midlands legal firm Devello Group signs up as drinks sponsor for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024

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New East Midlands legal firm Devello Group signs up as drinks sponsor for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024
Law firm Devello Group has joined the lineup of businesses backing the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, becoming the event’s drinks sponsor. Devello Group is a specialist planning and property development practice with offices in Nottingham and Lincoln, founded by experienced lawyers Shruti Trivedi and Iain Hibbert. Their niche law firm can help clients with a wide range of services in the sector, operating with a bespoke, value-led approach that does not use a traditional hourly fee-paying model. Devello Group also has a strategic arm, offering a high-level advisory service to developers, landowners, promoters and others in the planning and property development sectors. Speaking with Business Link, Shruti Trivedi said: “Devello are delighted to be sponsoring the Bricks Awards as what better way to mark our own start as a brand new business offering to the region than by being associated with the Bricks who burst on the scene similarly a few years ago with an innovative and fresh approach. “The Bricks have always been appealing as they value local and regional businesses in the region in an inclusive and fun manner but also connect these businesses with each other to foster relations and lay foundations for future working relationships. We are looking forward to being part of that community as that is very important to us as a regional firm and very much welcome the Awards as an opportunity to meet other businesses in a relaxed setting on the evening.” The East Midlands Bricks Awards, which will take place on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, recognise development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes, schools and public spaces. We also highlight the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes. Winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly. Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards, which provide the ideal opportunity to celebrate successes, boost businesses’ profiles, showcase teams, reward their efforts, and bolster morale. To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include:

Nominations end Thursday 5th September

A highlight in the business calendar, winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening of celebration and networking with property and construction leaders from across the region. Tickets can be booked for the 2024 awards event here. Connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. Attendees will also hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. Thanks to our sponsors:      

       

To be held at:

Council steps up mission to ensure £25m of Town Deal cash is spent

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Council steps up mission to ensure £25m of Town Deal cash is spent
Erewash Borough council is stepping up its mission to ensure £25m of government Town Deal cash gets spent in Long Eaton, a new report reveals. The authority is reassuring the public after it emerged most Town Deal projects across the UK are falling behind schedule. In a report to the Long Eaton Town Deal Board the council concedes it has not been immune to the kind of challenges faced elsewhere in the UK – where barely a fifth of towns fund initiatives have been meeting their own deadlines. Reasons include labour shortages and the impact of rampant inflation on costs. In Erewash a new business hub being created next to Long Eaton Town Hall was hit by the contractor going bust. The town’s West Park was due to get new lighting – but flooding from winter storms caused a delay. Both these projects are now resuming. Lampposts are being installed to illuminate the park, while new builders have been found to continue converting what is known as the old Stable Block. The biggest chunk of the £25m will be spent refurbishing Long Eaton’s town centre. Plans have advanced to a detailed design stage while consultations take place with residents and businesses. Work is scheduled to start in the New Year. The five key Long Eaton projects include building iconic new bridges, paths and cycle routes – and compulsory purchasing the derelict Galaxy cinema. The report stresses how most of the progress so far in terms of meeting delivery timescales is “in common with other Town Deals across the country.” All risks are being “actively managed” as feverish work goes on behind the scenes. The report says of a March 2026 deadline for money being spent: “The council believes this target can be met.” The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said earlier this year that the completion rate for Town Deal projects “is entirely consistent with the delivery timeframes we have set out.” It added: “All of the money which was allocated from the towns fund is on track to be spent by March 2026 as planned.”

Law firm acquires West Bridgford conveyancers

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Law firm acquires West Bridgford conveyancers
As part of a succession strategy, West Bridgford conveyancing firm Michelle O’Shea & Co has been acquired by AG Corporate Law. Founded in 1995 by Michelle O’Shea, the company is based on Exchange Road and has developed a five star reputation for delivering residential conveyancing services. Initially, there will be no changes to the management team or how the company is run under the new ownership. Michelle plans to continue working part time and oversee the work of the team of seven conveyancers and administrative assistants for an initial term of 2 years. Longer term the intention is to develop the existing team and recruit more people. Founded in 2023 by Adam Gilbert, AG Corporate Law is a boutique firm specialising in Corporate and Commercial Law. The acquisition of Michelle O’Shea & Co will be the second legal business to be owned by Mr Gilbert who plans to continue operating each brand as entirely separate entities due to their different geographic location and target markets but with the benefit of being able to cross refer work between the two firms. Michelle O’Shea said: “Once I had taken the decision to sell the business it was necessary to find a buyer who would be willing to retain the team and acknowledge that we have a robust and profitable operating model. AGCL is a perfect fit and Adam is committed to a ‘business as usual’ policy which has been good for the confidence of our staff and clients.”

Nottingham immigration law firm looks North

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Nottingham immigration law firm looks North

Nottingham’s OTB Legal, a UK immigration law firm, is expanding with a new Manchester base. The firm will be based at Bloc on Marble Street.

OTB Legal has grown consistently from its Chase Park headquarters just outside Nottingham. However, with demand increasing for immigration services in the region, OTB Legal’s Marcus Worthington says the time is right to expand the offering north: “Expanding our leading immigration team into Manchester is a strategic move aimed at better serving our clients in the area.

“Manchester’s vibrant and diverse community provides an excellent backdrop for us to deepen our connections with individuals and businesses navigating complex immigration laws.

“Our expansion into Manchester aligns with the city’s role as a magnet for talent and investment, positioning us to provide crucial guidance and advice as clients navigate the evolving landscape of immigration regulations and pursue their business and personal goals.”

The Manchester office will act as a northern hub for OTB Legal’s growing team.

Hannah Bowers, OTB Legal’s marketing manager, says: “We have a thriving and growing team and have plans for further growth in terms of expansion across the UK. I am based here at Bloc and the space is fantastic. It has a vibrancy to it that I know our team will love and I can’t wait to welcome them here.”

Real estate investor adds 315,000 sq ft of retail parks to portfolio

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Real estate investor adds 315,000 sq ft of retail parks to portfolio

Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate, the real estate investment and asset management specialist of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, has acquired Phase 2 and 3 of Merry Hill Retail Park in Brierley Hill and Phoenix Retail Park in Corby on behalf of separate client funds for undisclosed sums.

These recent acquisitions follow the purchase of Parkgate Shopping Park in Yorkshire earlier this year and reinforce Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate’s position as one of the largest retail park owners in the UK.

Phases 2 and 3 of Merry Hill Retail Park comprise a combined circa 197,000 square feet of retail warehouse and restaurant space on a site that extends to almost 15 acres with approximately 600 free parking spaces. Anchor tenants include The Range, Currys, Wren Kitchens, DFS and Pets at Home trading from a range of retail formats from 1,900 square feet to circa 52,000 square feet.

Phoenix Retail Park is the dominant retail park in Corby, offering 118,200 sq ft of retail warehouse accommodation with anchor tenants including M&S Foodhall, Matalan, The Range, Currys, Next and The Food Warehouse.

Its occupier mix is complementary to the demographics of the local catchment with a focus on food, discount and convenience-led retailing. It adjoins a 95,000 sq ft Asda superstore, which adds further critical mass, and the town of Corby has recorded significant population growth over the last decade, with further growth on the existing 203,000-strong catchment forecast thanks to a residential development pipeline of more than 12,000 new homes.

Tom Elviss, Fund Manager at Columbia Threadneedle Real Estate, said: “The simultaneous acquisition of both Phases 2 and 3 at Merry Hill Retail Park from two separate vendors constitutes a majority holding at one of the UK’s dominant retail warehouse clusters in the West Midlands. This presents a significant opportunity to maximise the assets’ potential under single ownership.

“Phoenix Retail Park is set to benefit from Corby’s sizeable residential development pipeline, which brings with it a catchment growth proposition that will allow us to enhance the tenant mix further.

“At both locations, we intend to draw on our strong retailer relationships and scale in the retail warehouse market as we seek to proactively asset manage the holdings to deliver strong returns for our investors.”

For the Merry Hill transaction, Harvey Spack Field acted for the purchaser and Morgan Williams represented the vendors, while Savills advised the purchaser on the Phoenix Retail Park acquisition and Knight Frank represented the vendor.

YMD Boon extends Midlands footprint

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YMD Boon extends Midlands footprint
YMD Boon, a team of architects, building surveyors and health & safety professionals, has opened its new office in Birmingham, marking a pivotal moment in the business’s growth strategy to extend its footprint across the Midlands. Over the past 18 months, YMD Boon has made significant strides by expanding into new sectors, securing positions on various procurement frameworks, broadening its client-base and boosting its employee headcount by approximately 30%. With established offices in Market Harborough, Nottingham and Lincoln, the expanding firm aims to replicate the successes achieved in these regions with a renewed focus on the West Midlands and surrounding areas. Located just off the M6 at the iconic Fort Dunlop, the new office will be headed up by Jonathan King, Associate Director of Building Surveying, and Shari Setayesh, Director of Architecture.  Jonathan King, Associate Director of Building Surveying, said: “We are really excited at the prospect of working with more organisations in and around the Birmingham area, expanding our network in the process. The move to this new office space strengthens our capabilities within Birmingham at a time when the region is experiencing remarkable investment prospects.” Shari Setayesh, Director of Architecture, said: “With established relationships with clients in the West Midlands and ongoing projects in the area, it was a natural progression for us to establish a presence here for our growing team. We look forward to continuing to grow our presence in Birmingham and surrounding areas!”

Watches of Switzerland hails “strong” finish to financial year

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Watches of Switzerland hails “strong” finish to financial year

Leicester-based Watches of Switzerland Group has finished its financial year “strongly,” with sales in the final quarter in line with guidance and ahead of consensus.

According to a trading update for the 13 weeks (Q4 FY24) to 28 April 2024, group revenue reached £380 million, a 4% increase on Q4 FY23.

It puts group revenue for the year at over £1.5 billion.

Brian Duffy, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We finished the year strongly, with Q4 sales in line with guidance and ahead of consensus. Particularly pleasing was the performance in the US, with sales up 14% in the period.

“We are confident that our strategy, exceptional client service and strong brand relationships enables us to continue to drive growth and gain market share. We have seen growth in our Registration of Interest lists for sought after products, and exceptionally strong performance of pre-owned, particularly Rolex Certified Pre-Owned.

“Our acquisition of Roberto Coin Inc. (the exclusive North American distributor of Roberto Coin) dramatically accelerates our luxury branded jewellery strategy, and we see enormous potential in bringing together this iconic brand with our retailing expertise. 

“We enter FY25 with cautious optimism. We have a terrific programme of showroom developments on both sides of the Atlantic with the Rolex flagship boutique on Old Bond Street, London; a 3,000 sq ft Rolex boutique replacing the Mayors multi-brand in Atlanta, Georgia; and our first Rolex showroom in Texas in Plano.

“We are also looking forward to the Audemars Piguet Town House and the Mappin & Webb luxury jewellery showroom both in Manchester, and the expanded Patek Philippe space in Greenwich, Connecticut. 

“The inherent strength of the categories we operate in, coupled with our superior business model and retail expertise continues to set us apart. We remain focused on executing our Long Range Plan and are committed to the targets to more than double sales and Adjusted EBIT by the end of FY28.”

Shareholders back £2.5bn Barratt and Redrow merger

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Shareholders back £2.5bn Barratt and Redrow merger
The shareholders of house builders Barratt and Redrow have approved the businesses’ proposed merger. In the more than £2.5bn deal, Redrow shareholders will hold approximately 32.8 per cent of the combined group and Barratt shareholders will hold approximately 67.2 per cent of the combined group. The merger is subject to clearance by the Competition and Markets Authority, which has launched a preliminary investigation into whether the deal would result in a substantial lessening of competition. Leicestershire-based Barratt and Flintshire-based Redrow generated aggregate revenue of £7.4bn in FY 2023, delivering total completions of 22,642. The combined group would be renamed Barratt Redrow plc.

YMD Boon strengthens leadership team with internal associate director appointments

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YMD Boon strengthens leadership team with internal associate director appointments
YMD Boon have announced the internal appointment of two associate directors. These promotions reflect the company’s expansion efforts, including the establishment of a new office in Birmingham. Jonathan King has been promoted to the role of Associate Director – Building Surveying. In his new role, Jonathan will spearhead the development of the Birmingham office while continuing to oversee the Building Surveying team in Nottingham. He will also coordinate operational procedures and drive business growth across various sectors and locations. Jonathan King joined YMD Boon as a Senior Building Surveyor and quickly progressed to undertaking a role as an Associate. His proactive leadership has significantly expanded the building surveying division’s portfolio. Simone Fearn has been promoted to the role of Associate Director – Finance and Operations. Simone will take on a more hands-on role in managing project finances to ensure efficiency and oversee internal company operations, including quality assurance, marketing, and tendering processes. Simone’s journey with YMD Boon began 5 years ago when joining the company as HR, Office & Finance Manager and has excelled in the role ever since. These appointments enhance the senior management team and recognize Jonathan and Simone’s contributions to the company’s success and commitment to exceeding customer expectations. Jonathan Warren, Director at YMD Boon, said: “YMD Boon prides itself on being a progressive company with a commitment to future talent and both Jonathan and Simone epitomise all the values we look for and we are delighted to acknowledge this with their promotions to associate director.” Shari Setayesh, Director at YMD Boon, added: “We are pleased to announce Jonathan & Simone’s appointments at such a pivotal time for the company. Both their drive and expertise will be instrumental in continuing the growth of YMD Boon.”

Derby Book Festival looks to business community for new trustees

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Derby Book Festival looks to business community for new trustees

Derby Book Festival, which stages events across the city to inspire a love of reading, is looking to recruit new trustees and a treasurer to help write the next chapter of the organisation.

The festival, which is a registered charity and receives funding from the Arts Council and the National Lottery for its Shared Reading community project, has sold more than 30,000 tickets to more than 570 events since its inception in 2015.

It also has a packed year-round community programme, working with almost all of Derby’s primary and secondary schools, Derby College and the University of Derby offering opportunities to meet authors, explore new books and create their own stories and illustrations.

Its Shared Reading community project enables people in care homes, hospital, prisons, libraries and community centres to listen to and share their thoughts about poetry, lyrics, letters and diaries at weekly and fortnightly sessions.

Its Summer Festival (30 May – 5 June) is about to get underway with authors including James O’Brien, Alison Weir, Polly Toynbee, Patrick Grant and Dan Cruickshank, as well as debut historical novelists Sarah Marsh and Elizabeth O’Connor. There will also be a special event on 29 July with BBC presenter and reporter Clive Myrie at Derby Theatre.

Festival director Sian Hoyle said: “Our board of trustees play a critical role in governing our charity and providing strategic direction on how we are managed and run. We have a committed team of trustees who volunteer their time and are proud of the role they play in our essential work, but we do have vacancies and an urgent need for a new treasurer.

“Recruiting the right trustees is essential for our book festival to grow and inspire future generations of readers and writers.”

The festival is organised in partnership with all the major arts and cultural partners in the city with funding from the Arts Council England, the University of Derby and several businesses and individuals across the city.

Festival chair, Professor Keith McLay, said: “We are looking for people who will bring knowledge and experience of their own, who will offer a fresh perspective on our work, and possess the wisdom and integrity necessary to be trusted with the festival’s leadership, resources, reputation, and future.

“Trusteeship is a great way of contributing to causes you care about and developing strategic and leadership skills at the same time. I am enormously proud to be the charity’s Chair and am appealing to others to get in touch and find out how they can help and play a part in our future.”

To apply, send an Expression of Interest explaining why either of these voluntary roles interest you, what you feel you could offer Derby Book Festival as either a Trustee or Treasurer Trustee, and a copy of your CV to DBF Chair, Professor Keith McLay, k.mclay@derby.ac.uk.

Businesswomen join Star Trust Board

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Businesswomen join Star Trust Board
Two notable regional businesswomen have joined the Board of East Midlands charity, Star Trust – The Charitable Entrepreneurs. They are Derbyshire-based Rachel Hayward, Managing Director of procurement consultancy Ask the Chameleon, and Anna Wooster-Mann, the founder and Managing Director of Greenio in Newark which is a national renewable energy hub. They join a Board of business people from across the East Midlands who oversee the Star Trust charity which, over the past ten years, has organised fund raising events and donated to £852,642 for 114 charities – benefiting more than 71,000 people across the East Midlands. Rachel Hayward specialises in producing funding and commercial procurement applications and business award submissions for ambitious East Midlands micro, small businesses, and Third sector organisations – securing a total of £117m for her clients. Named the FSB East Midlands self employed/freelancer of the year Rachel has also reached the national final of The Small Awards 2024 which are a nationwide search for the smallest and greatest firms in the UK, across all sectors. Having chaired Annabel’s Angels, a small charitable trust for the relief of cancer patients across Derbyshire, Rachel explained she was committed to ensuring continued support for smaller charities who had the greatest impact on local people’s lives. “I am looking forward to bringing my experience in bid writing and the SME and voluntary sectors to Star Trust and being on the ‘other side of the fence’ to ensure the money raised and donated through the charity goes to the organisations in most need and who provide maximum benefits to some of the most vulnerable people in our local communities.” Anna Wooster-Mann founded Greenio in 2013 with a vision to educate and help homeowners and businesses reduce their carbon footprint with tailored electrical and heating alternatives including solar panel installation, EV chargers, air source and ground source heat pumps, LED lighting and biomass boiler service and maintenance.
Anna Wooster-Mann, founder and Managing Director of Greenio
She said: “My business is deep rooted in supporting local people and businesses to make ethical and cost-saving choices that help save the planet. “This reflects my own ethos that we must do everything we can to protect and support services that improve the health and wellbeing of our local communities. “Star Trust is an incredible charitable organisation that brings together like-minded entrepreneurs who share that commitment to improving the lives of local people and I am delighted to be joining the Board.” Star Trust founder Steve Hampson concluded: “We are fortunate to be supported by a committed group of business people to steer our charity and by those whose generosity means that we can support smaller charities across the East Midlands who do such an amazing job in their local communities. “We are delighted to have Rachel and Anna on board and look forward to the contribution that they will make to Star Trust in so many different ways.”

Chamber partners with Loates Workplace Wellbeing for mental health training

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Chamber partners with Loates Workplace Wellbeing for mental health training
East Midlands Chamber has partnered with Loates Workplace Wellbeing to provide mental health courses accredited by MHFA England. The collaboration is being launched during Mental Health Awareness Week and will provide Chamber members with access to mental health first-aider training, either in person or online. The courses help delegates gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health, be confident enough to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate support. The initiative reinforces East Midlands Chamber’s CSR commitment, as courses are provided in partnership with regional charities across the East Midlands. Since 2022, Loates Workplace Wellbeing has provided complimentary MHFA training for Derby County Community Trust, Nottinghamshire Hospice, and, from 2024, Rainbows Hospice in Leicestershire. Annie Litchfield from Loates Workplace Wellbeing said: “The charity partnerships foster a culture of wellbeing in the workplace while raising awareness of the valuable work and vital services each charity undertakes.” Hollie Anderson, Communications & Marketing Manager at Nottinghamshire Hospice, said: “The collaboration with Loates Workplace Wellbeing has enabled us to raise the profile of Nottinghamshire Hospice among a wider group of organisations. “By offering their Mental Health First Aid courses in our training room, we provide essential training to our team and showcase the hospice’s vital work to a broader audience.” Vicki Thompson, Head of Leadership & Training Programmes at East Midlands Chamber, said: “We see this as a natural extension to the broad training programme we already offer. The mental health first aider courses can also be booked by businesses as an in-house course.”

How to conduct a workplace risk assessment

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How to conduct a workplace risk assessment
There are hazards in every workplace, and these can lead to accidents that harm employees and the reputation of a business. According to HSE, the current rate of non-fatal injuries at work in the UK reached 561,000 in 2022/23. Conducting risk assessments is a primary management tool that can mitigate accidents at work. A risk assessment is a rigorous process of systematically identifying hazards, the associated risks and how measures can be employed to mitigate them. These should be employed regularly and ingrained into standard business procedures.  What is usually involved in a risk assessment?  Risk assessments consider all the aspects of a workplace and generally follow some simple steps. Employers should: 
  • List the risks to health and safety present in the workplace
  • Evaluate who might be harmed and how 
  • Assess whether current precautions are effective 
  • Revise protective measures and implement more if necessary 
Identifying Risks  Many hazards pose a risk to staff and business operations, however some are industry-specific. Some common types of risk assessments include:  Fire risks  Fire safety procedures are required to be established in workplaces by law. A sufficient fire risk assessment involves taking an organised look at what activities could cause harm to people from fire. Having emergency incident markers and lighting installed, as well as the safe storage of specialist electrical tools are solutions to mitigate fire risks.  Manual handling  Every year, around 300,000 workers suffer an injury from manual handling incidents. This type of risk assessment should be conducted in any environment where employees are at risk of ill health when lifting or moving loads. High-quality tutorial support and training materials on proper manual handling techniques should be provided. Display Screen Equipment (DSE)  Computers, laptops and other device screens can pose a risk to employee health. DSE assessments evaluate every workstation and provide recommendations to alleviate common problems such as screen glare, bad posture and body pain.  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)  For workplaces that store and handle hazardous materials and chemicals, a COSHH risk assessment should be carried out. Workplaces should provide training and equipment that mitigates risk and injury. Why is it important?  Compliance  Some industries require a risk management plan to stay compliant with legal requirements and avoid penalties. Employers have a responsibility by law to protect their staff and take all necessary precautions to mitigate threats. Risk assessments reduce a business’s legal liability.  Protection and preparation  Risk assessments are a company’s first line of defence against accidents. By looking at potential hazards ahead of time, a business can take proactive steps to reduce harm and be better equipped in the event of an incident.  Smart decision making  Risk management plans make business decisions more streamlined, especially during a crisis. A step-by-step plan allows operations to function under pressure and to allocate the required resources. 
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