Aggregate Industries’ dome silo is inflated for the first time
An inflatable dome silo commissioned by Coalville-based Aggregate Industries has been inflated at the heart of a multi-million-pound cement import, manufacturing and distribution facility on Tilbury Docks.
The 45m tall, 32m diameter dome silo is one of only a handful of its kind in the UK, built using innovative construction methods and materials.
It is designed to store up to 30,000 tonnes of cement to support local demand for building materials, to be used across an array of construction projects in the region. Once operational in 2026, this facility will allow Aggregate Industries to serve its customers 24/7 with conventional, low carbon and circular cementitious materials from five loading heads.
In line with the firm’s commitment to sustainability, the new facility demonstrates Aggregate Industries ongoing commitment to be a leader in supplying low-carbon, sustainable construction solutions.
During construction, more than 25,000 tonnes of concrete from the existing site has already been recycled and reused, and over 10,000 tonnes of recycled asphalt planings have been incorporated into new asphalt products. Aggregate Industries is also incorporating lower carbon materials throughout every aspect of construction; including use of the firm’s own green-building solution, ECOPact readymix.
Local stakeholders and businesses are already seeing potential economic benefits, as the project is expected to stimulate demand for trades and materials in the region. More than 100 jobs are expected to be created during the construction phase of the scheme, with a further 30 full time permanent positions generated once the site is operational.
Mather Jamie appoints Rural Estates Assistant
Loughborough-based land development and property consultancy, Mather Jamie has appointed Joanne Brown as Rural Estates Assistant.
Joanne brings experience in rural estate operations, along with a strong commitment to delivering quality service and support to Mather Jamie’s rural estates team.
She brings four years of experience managing the estate office at Melbourne Hall Estate. Her background also spans account management and sales executive roles with the logistics sector, where she refined her skills in client relations and organisation.
After taking time out to focus on her family, Joanne returned to Melbourne Hall Estate and developed a strong foundation in rural estate operations.
In her new role, Joanne will be assisting with residential and agricultural lettings, tenancy management, property repairs and maintenance, inspections and viewings.
Commenting on her appointment, Amy Biddell, Director at Mather Jamie, said: “Joanne’s hands-on experience in estate management and her approachable nature make her an ideal fit for Mather Jamie’s Rural Estates Team, where she will contribute to supporting clients and enhancing tenant relations.”
Adding, Joanne said: “In my previous role, I had dealings with Mather Jamie and saw them as a company with a great work ethic and fantastic staff. I’m excited to join a team that values professionalism and provides an opportunity for growth.”
Chesterfield’s Superior Wellness expands with new U.S. headquarters
Superior Wellness, the Chesterfield-based hot tubs and wellness products firm, has established its first U.S. operation in Orangeburg County, South Carolina.
This £8.9 million investment marks a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy, creating 35 new jobs and strengthening its commitment to serving partners and customers across the United States.
Located at 106 Logistics Drive in Cameron, the newly acquired 75,000-square-foot facility will serve as the company’s U.S. headquarters. It will streamline warehousing and logistics, provide faster service to U.S. partners, and act as a hub for spare parts and accessories.
Superior Wellness Managing Director Rob Carlin said: “This investment represents a significant milestone for Superior Wellness as we establish a strong foothold in the U.S. With the opening of Superior HQ in Cameron, South Carolina, we’re investing in the future of wellness while creating 35 new jobs for the local community.
“Our £8.9 million state-of-the-art facility will revolutionize our stock and logistics operations, ensuring faster service and greater support for our U.S. partners and customers. We’re thrilled to begin this exciting chapter and deepen our connection with the American market.”
Sales Director Gareth Ward added: “Our expansion into South Carolina demonstrates our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service and innovative products to our U.S. partners.
“Working with over 100 partners across the U.S., this facility allows us to better serve them with shorter lead times and improved availability of our award-winning products. We look forward to building stronger relationships and growing together with the Orangeburg community.”
Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright welcomed the company, stating: “Superior Wellness’ decision to bring their U.S. headquarters to Orangeburg County underscores the incredible momentum we’re seeing in our region.
“Their £8.9 million investment will create 35 good-paying jobs, benefiting local families and contributing to our community’s economic growth. We warmly welcome Superior Wellness and look forward to supporting their success.”
FPA Consulting appoints new Business Administrator
Derby-based independent management consultancy FPA Consulting has appointed Lily Ormsby as Business Administrator.
With a background in planning and technical administration at XEIAD, owned by British Engineering Services (BES Group), Lily brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her new role.
Lily has a wide ranging role which includes supporting FPA’s consultants, it’s accounts team, facilitating external Client training together with general day-to-day administration duties.
Commenting on her decision to join FPA, Lily said: “I really wanted to join a company that would allow me to progress professionally in a considerate environment. FPA is filled with opportunities for me to learn and grow. The team have been incredibly welcoming and I’m excited to now be a part of the company.”
Outside of work, Lily is passionate about health and fitness, loves traveling, walking her dog, and indulging in interior design as a personal interest.
John Barke, Managing Director at FPA Consulting, added: “We are pleased to have Lily join our team at FPA Consulting. Her proactive approach and dedication to personal and professional growth align perfectly with our values.”
Lincoln business celebrates 10 years of gourmet gifting with £3m turnover, expansion and ambitious growth plans
From kitchen table to £3 million turnover, Lincoln-based The British Hamper Company is celebrating 10 years of business success as it gears up for its busiest Christmas and unveils plans to double its turnover by 2026.
The family-run business, which was founded in 2014 from a gazebo at the family home, was born from a shared enthusiasm for great food, British individuality and a love of gift giving.
After a decade of business growth, it has marked its landmark year with a number of major milestones including a branding overhaul, the launch of its products into wholesale, expansion of its Lincolnshire premises and growth of its senior team.
The business is now preparing to fulfil more than 2,000 orders a day over the Christmas period, with the creation of 30 additional seasonal jobs.
This year The British Hamper Company has rolled out an ambitious growth strategy as it forecasts a £6 million turnover by 2026.
Central to this growth is the launch of a wholesale product range, which will see its artisan food and drink products, including Cornish Fudge, All Butter Cheddar Biscuits, Lemon Butter Shortbread, Raspberry Zing Jam, fine teas, and handcrafted sweets, sold in gourmet food stores across the UK and rest of world for the first time.
To meet growing demand from consumers, corporate gifting clients and its growth into the wholesale market, this year the business has significantly expanded its Lincoln-based warehouse facilities. The investment into its premises has increased its storage capacity by 36%, bringing the total operational area to approximately 15,000 square feet.
With 35% of its orders being sent to recipients overseas, The British Hamper Company has also opened a European distribution hub in the Netherlands to streamline its distribution to global markets and to help support its global growth ambitions.
The business has been further bolstered with the appointment of three new senior positions including an Export Sales Manager, National Wholesale Account Manager and Marketing Manager, taking the total number of permanent employees to 20.
With a commitment to supporting the local community, 2024 saw the business form a partnership with Lincoln City Football Club.
“Celebrating 10 years of The British Hamper Company is an incredible milestone for us as a family and as a business,” says Alice Tod, Sales Director of the Lincoln-based business.
“This year has been particularly transformative, from unveiling a refreshed brand identity to launching our wholesale range – we’re immensely proud of how far we’ve come. It all started from humble beginnings in a gazebo at our family home, we are now proud to be a multimillion pound business at the heart of the luxury gifting market.
“Throughout this journey, our Lincolnshire roots have been a constant source of inspiration and pride.”
James Tod, Managing Director, continued: “Lincolnshire has provided us with a strong foundation to grow, from the talented local workforce to the support of the community that has championed us every step of the way.
“This year, we’ve expanded our premises to meet rising demand, creating more jobs and investing in our future, all while staying true to our local heritage. Our new partnership with Lincoln City Football Club is a further example of how we’re staying connected to the region that means so much to us.
“As we reach the end of our anniversary year and prepare for our busiest Christmas yet, we remain committed to delivering exceptional gifts that showcase the very best of British craftsmanship and quality. We’re excited about what the future holds and look forward to sharing this next chapter with our loyal customers and partners.”
First half revenue rises at Watches of Switzerland
Revenue has risen at Leicester-based Watches of Switzerland Group during the first half its financial year.
In the 26 weeks to 27 October 2024 (H1 FY25) group revenue rose to £785m, from £761m in the same period last year.
Profit before tax, however, was down at £41m, from £67m last year.Brian Duffy, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased to report H1 FY25 revenue growth of +4% in constant currency reflecting an encouraging improvement in trading in Q2, driven by growing demand in the UK and US, and consistent growth in client registration lists, along with the acquisition of Roberto Coin in the period.
“As previously outlined, in Q1 we increased showroom stock levels of key brands to enhance displays and client experience, particularly in the US. With the stock rebuild complete, in Q2 we drove significantly improved US revenue of +24% (constant currency) and revenue in the UK market turned positive.
“Price increases from brands in the half have been modest, and this has also positively influenced consumer sentiment. Consequently, overall Group revenue increased +11% in Q2, in constant currency.
“Our newly acquired Roberto Coin business in North America has traded strongly since acquisition and is now making a good contribution to our Group. Integration is progressing well, and growth plans are underway.
“We are also encouraged by the performance of the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned programme and the sustained growth in our overall pre-owned business. Additionally, we acquired Hodinkee, a leading global digital platform for luxury watch enthusiasts, further strengthening our online sector leadership. Integration is progressing in line with our expectations.
“Q3 trading has started encouragingly, and we have continued with our showroom transformation programme. Looking ahead, key showroom openings in H2 include the flagship Rolex boutique in Old Bond Street, London; Audemars Piguet Town House, Manchester; Rolex introduction in Plano, Texas, and a reintroduction in Jacksonville, Florida; and the conversion of Mayors Lenox, Atlanta, to a Rolex mono-brand boutique.
“Our trading momentum through November, visibility of intake and second half opening of large showroom investments support our full year guidance, which is unchanged.
“This year marks the centenary of Watches of Switzerland, celebrated with a number of exclusive products, and we extend our gratitude to our colleagues for their unwavering dedication and exceptional client service throughout the year.”
£40m funding from Octopus Real Estate to deliver three new care homes
Bambino Mio sold following appointment of administrators
Bambino Mio, a Northampton-based multi-category consumer goods brand focused on reducing waste through the use of reusable nappies, has been sold after falling into administration.
Kiri Holland and Danny Dartnaill of BDO LLP were appointed Joint Administrators of Bambino Mio Limited on 29 November 2024.
The Joint Administrators completed a pre-packaged sale of the business and assets of the company immediately following their appointment to Demeter Project Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kiddy Cloud Limited.
This transaction has protected the jobs of 22 staff who have transferred to the new owners of the business, as well as providing business continuity for the company’s suppliers and customers.
As part of the transaction, the company’s wholly owned trading subsidiary, Bambino Mio B.V., based in the Netherlands, has also been acquired on a solvent basis.
Kiri Holland, one of the Joint Administrators, said: “Bambino Mio is a well-established consumer business that has experienced similar headwinds to other operators in the sector.
“We are delighted to have secured a sale of the whole business, including its international operations, preserving 22 jobs in the UK and delivering value for creditors and continuity for business stakeholders.”
Landmark agreement between the UK, Qatar and Rolls-Royce to support clean energy transition
The UK’s position in clean energy has received a further boost as a landmark agreement with Qatar reaches a significant milestone, solidifying £1 billion of investment in climate technology.
The partnership is expected to create thousands of highly skilled jobs over its lifetime and will see the launch of climate technology hubs across the UK and Qatar to accelerate development in climate-friendly technologies.
This includes investment in technology programmes by Derby engineering giant Rolls-Royce that improve energy efficiency, support new sustainable fuels and lower carbon emissions.
It will also see investment into start-ups in the UK and Qatar focusing on energy efficiency, carbon management, and green power.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “I am proud that Qatar has chosen to base this global partnership here in the UK and I am delighted that the project is getting off the ground with this initial £1 billion commitment.
“Qatar and Rolls-Royce pursuing these opportunities in climate technology is a significant step in our ambition to become a clean energy superpower and further evidence that the UK is one of the best places in the world for companies to develop those technologies.”
Prime Minister of Qatar HE Sheikh Mohammed Abdulrahman al Thani said: “We are delighted to formally launch this groundbreaking partnership. The United Kingdom has a proud history of innovation in cutting edge technology, and Qatar has long been a trusted investment partner to British businesses. This new collaboration aligns with our long-term strategy to invest in the economies of the future.
“We welcome the formalisation of our strategic relationship with Rolls-Royce. Qatar is already one of the largest purchasers of Rolls-Royce engines for Qatar Airways and a major investor in the small modular reactor nuclear industry. This new partnership further strengthens Qatar’s position as a leading global investor in climate technologies.
“We welcome the creation of highly skilled jobs in both Qatar and the UK, and look forward to welcoming a diverse range of businesses to Doha as part of the Rolls-Royce partnership.”
Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, Rolls-Royce, said: “In the last two years we have made significant progress in the transformation of Rolls-Royce. This announcement is further evidence of our progress to create a highly competitive and fast-growing company.“Enabling the energy transition through lower carbon technologies is a key part of our strategy. We are delighted to welcome Qatar as a strategic partner, who will support the growth of these technologies. They share our ambition to make an impact on the challenge of climate change.”
Frasers Group makes profit warning following Budget
Retail giant Frasers Group has issued a profit warning in its half year results, following the recent Budget.
The Shirebrook-based business noted that while its first half marked another period of progress “both ahead of and after the recent Budget, consumer confidence has weakened and recent trading conditions have been tougher.”
Frasers Group added: “Given this current uncertainty, FY25 APBT is now expected to be in the range £550m to £600m. Further out, we expect to incur at least £50m of incremental costs going into FY26 as a result of the recent Budget, but we are working hard to mitigate these in order to maintain our profitable growth ambitions.”
In unaudited results for the 26 weeks ended 27 October 2024 (FY25 H1), the firm saw group revenue of £2.54bn, dipping from £2.77bn in the same period of last year.
An adjusted profit before tax of £299.2m, meanwhile, was down on £303.8m last year.
Michael Murray, Chief Executive of Frasers Group, said: “The first half of this year has been another period of progress for the Group, delivering on our objectives as the Elevation Strategy continues to take the business to the next level.
“Sports Direct UK delivered further sales growth, and our Property and Financial Services divisions are seeing encouraging progress.
“We continue to operate with discipline to ensure our business is as resilient as possible – proactively right-sizing recent acquisitions to set them up for profitable long-term growth and driving further automation benefits to exceed our stock reduction targets for the period.
“We have also made significant strides in international expansion, developing new partnerships across Australia and Africa, and unlocking opportunities as we move further towards our goal of becoming a leading global sports retailer.
“We are set to deliver another year of profitable growth but, given recent weaker consumer confidence leading up to and following the Budget, FY25 APBT is now expected to be in the range of £550m to £600m.”
Facilities management services provider snaps up Northampton firm
BGIS, a provider of facilities management services, has acquired Briggs & Forrester Building Services Maintenance (BSM), a division of Briggs & Forrester Group.
The acquisition of BSM, a well-established national Mechanical & Electrical building services maintenance provider, marks a significant milestone in BGIS’ commitment to providing best-in-class delivery within the UK.
The Corporate Finance team at Dow Schofield Watts in the Midlands, led by Ryan Shields and Fahim Kassam, advised Briggs & Forrester Group on the sale of BSM, working closely with lawyers from Howes Percival, led by Matthew Thompson. BGIS was advised by a legal team from RPC led by Jeremy Cunningham.
This acquisition will enable BGIS to strengthen its position further by offering an expansion of technical services to meet the evolving needs of its clients. BSM’s expertise in mobile, HVAC, combustion and specialist electrical services will enable BGIS to provide highly skilled technical capabilities across a broader geography.
Regarding the deal, Gary Bullen, UK President at BGIS, said: “BSM has a strong reputation of delivering quality national mobile and specialist services to its customers.
“This acquisition is an exciting step forward for our commitment to our customers through the addition of 100+ highly capable, effective and responsive engineers with a strong support team.”
Paul Burton, Chairman & CEO of Briggs & Forrester Group, added: “The sale of BSM follows 5 years of strategic change in which BSM has grown significantly, providing a consistently high level of performance. Clear synergy was evident with BGIS, and we are mutually aligned with an employee-focused ethos.
“The sale provides BSM with new ownership and investment to move the business forward further, whilst Briggs & Forrester Group will concentrate on its core contracting activities across the UK, with a stronger balance sheet that will support investment within the Group.”
Ryan Shields, Partner at Dow Schofield Watts, said: “We are very proud to have advised on the successful sale of BSM to BGIS. From the outset, it was evident that there was a real cultural alignment between the two organisations and that BGIS’s global expertise and commitment to excellence made it the perfect new owner for BSM.
“It has been a privilege to support this transaction, which highlights our expertise in the built environment sector. We look forward to seeing the combined group capitalise on its strengths to achieve even greater success in the future.”
Visitor economy bounces back in Mansfield
New figures show that tourism is continuing to bounce back in Mansfield after being hit by the Covid pandemic.
The number of visitors and economic impact of tourism on the district is being monitored for the council by Global Tourism Solutions so that the authority can better understand the importance of the visitor economy.
New analysis of the data for Mansfield shows that in 2023:
- The visitor economy was worth £130.76m, up from £124.75m in 2022 and making good progress back to the 2018 high of £147.23m.
- The figures show there were 2.82m visitors to the district, up 4.2% on the 2022 figure of 2.71m in 2022 but still below the pre-pandemic figure of 3.22m in 2019.
- The sector supported the full-time equivalent (FTE) of 1,540 jobs, compared with an FTE of 1,379 in 2022 and 1,254 in 2021.
- Most people visited Mansfield to go shopping, which accounted for 42% of expenditure, followed by food and drink at 29.3%.
- Day visitors made up 81% of the total value of the visitor economy, up from 80% in 2022.
- The number of visitor days also increased with 3.09 days recorded in 2023 compared with 2.97 days in 2022 and 2.66 days in 2021. However, they remain below the pre-pandemic levels in 2019 of 3.51 days.
- Spring and early summer were the most popular times of year to visit the district in 2023 with 300,000 visits in May and 291,000 in June.
New initiatives revealed to revitalise Northampton town centre
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has announced a series of new initiatives aimed at helping transform the Grosvenor Shopping centre and enhancing the vitality of Northampton town centre.
In partnership with Evolve, the owners of the Grosvenor centre, these initiatives are designed to attract more shoppers, support new businesses, and ensure a sustainable future for the town.
While the centre has recently attracted a number of new tenants, some units remain vacant or underused and the council saw an opportunity to build on already successful town centre regeneration schemes.
Under the new plans, to be discussed at Cabinet on Tuesday 10 December, a series of key developments would be delivered:
- H&M Expansion: A loan of up to £2 million will support the development of a larger, more modern H&M store following its decision to move from Abington Street. As a key high street brand, H&M’s expansion is expected to draw more shoppers to the town.
- Flexible Workspaces: In partnership with workspace provider Wizu, a £1 million loan will facilitate the creation of flexible workspaces within the centre. This initiative aims to support remote working and attract new micro-businesses to Northampton.
- Leisure Parking: To accommodate a new leisure operator in the former Sainsbury’s unit, 180 two-hour free parking spaces will be provided, making it easier for visitors to enjoy the new facilities.
- Micro Shops: An investment of £375,000 will convert several units into micro shops on the centre’s first floor. This project will support new business startups, with a profit-sharing arrangement to benefit the taxpayer.
- Belgrave House Redevelopment: Restrictions on the use and sub-letting of Belgrave House will be removed, allowing WNC to make productive use of the building in line with the Greyfriars masterplan.
Partnership working in Chesterfield leads to more young people taking up STEM careers
More young people are taking up manufacturing and engineering courses in Chesterfield, according to new figures.
Chesterfield College has reported an 80% increase in engineering study enrolments for 16–18-year-old students in the last 3 years.
The figure was released during the annual Made in Chesterfield Festival, in which local businesses invite school pupils to their factories and premises to showcase the range of rewarding careers in STEM sectors.
Destination Chesterfield and Direct Education Business Partnership coordinate the Made in Chesterfield campaign. It is delivered in association with the Chesterfield College Group and supported by Chesterfield Borough Council, EMCCA Careers Hub, MSE Hiller, United Cast Bar Ltd and Natwest.
More than 3,500 school pupils in Chesterfield have now engaged with the town’s manufacturing and engineering businesses since Made in Chesterfield was first launched 10 years ago. This year, students were invited to visit several businesses, including: MSE Hiller, Superior Wellness, Weightron Bilanciai, United Cast Bar, The Devonshire Group, Penny Hydraulics, Aztec Oils, Heraeus Electro-Nite, and Chesterfield Construction Skills Hub.
Celebrating its success, Nick Catt, Board Member of Destination Chesterfield and Managing Director of Weightron Bilanciai, said: “To see more young people enrolling in engineering courses across our town is a testament to the fantastic collaboration between the College and local businesses in recent years.
“We know how vital it is to highlight careers in Manufacturing, not just to help our businesses grow in the future, but to allow our people to thrive in skilled and rewarding jobs. I look forward to seeing further partnerships across our town to keep narrowing the existing skills gaps in our sector.”
Julie Richards OBE, Principal and CEO of The Chesterfield College Group, added: “We are delighted to see such a significant increase in young people choosing to pursue engineering and manufacturing courses at Chesterfield College.
“This 80% rise in enrolments reflects both the growing interest in STEM careers and the strength of the partnerships we’ve built with local businesses through initiatives like Made in Chesterfield.
“By working together, we’re ensuring that our students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive in these dynamic industries, helping to secure a prosperous future for Chesterfield and beyond.”
Schools in the area have also expressed their gratitude to businesses for opening their doors to young people.
Debbie Crossley, Careers Adviser at The Bolsover School, said: “The Made in Chesterfield tour to MSE Hiller was so informative and insightful, and I really appreciate the team taking the time to speak with our students and explain things in detail.
“The links to the curriculum were fabulous and covered several subjects including English, maths, physics and chemistry. It was great to see the students relating some of their classroom learning to the skills and knowledge they will need in the workplace.”
Clare Talati, CEO of Direct Education Business Partnership, said: “We are thrilled to continue supporting the Made in Chesterfield initiative, which plays a crucial role in connecting young people with local employers.
“By providing meaningful, hands-on experiences, we’re raising awareness of the fantastic career opportunities available right here in Chesterfield. These partnerships not only inspire the next generation, but also help businesses engage with potential future employees, ensuring the local workforce is prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
APSS named finalists in Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards 2025
Commercial design and fit out company APSS has been named as finalists in both the Design Consultant of the Year and Development Project of the Year (Under £5m) categories for the Lincolnshire Construction and Property Awards 2025, cementing its reputation as a leader in innovative design and development in the region.
Organised by the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, the awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and sustainability in the construction and property sector. APSS’s nominations highlight its dedication to delivering creative, client-focused solutions that combine cutting-edge design with practical functionality.
Recognition for Exceptional Design
The nomination for Design Consultant of the Year in conjunction with Bainland Lodge Retreats, underscores APSS’s commitment to providing tailored, high-quality design services.
“Our team takes immense pride in creating designs that not only look stunning but also enhance functionality and user experience,” said Laurence Barrass, Managing Director of APSS. “Being named finalists in this category is a testament to the creativity and hard work of our talented designers.”
Spotlight on Development Excellence
The second nomination, Development Project of the Year (under £5m), celebrates the standout project of LEW Electrical Distributors’ new headquarters in Gainsborough. It showcases APSS’s expertise in project management and execution. The project, completed earlier this year, exemplifies APSS’s ability to transform spaces while meeting the highest standards of sustainability and efficiency.
Stuart Marsland, Sales Director for APSS, said: “This project truly reflects our ethos of combining visionary design with practical implementation. Being recognised in this category is a huge honour and validates the efforts of everyone involved.”
Innovation and Collaboration at the Core
At the heart of APSS’s success lies a dedication to fostering strong partnerships with clients and stakeholders. The company’s collaborative approach ensures that every project is tailored to the client’s unique requirements, resulting in spaces that are not only visually striking but also highly functional and future-ready.
Over the past year, APSS has placed a particular emphasis on sustainable design and development, incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices into its projects.
Laurence added: “We are thrilled to be finalists in these awards. It’s a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and passion that drives our entire team. At APSS, we strive to deliver excellence in everything we do, and these nominations highlight the impact we’re making in the Lincolnshire construction and property sector. Regardless of the outcome, we are incredibly proud to be recognised alongside some of the Lincolnshire’s best.”
“Our team takes immense pride in creating designs that not only look stunning but also enhance functionality and user experience,” said Laurence Barrass, Managing Director of APSS. “Being named finalists in this category is a testament to the creativity and hard work of our talented designers.”
Spotlight on Development Excellence
The second nomination, Development Project of the Year (under £5m), celebrates the standout project of LEW Electrical Distributors’ new headquarters in Gainsborough. It showcases APSS’s expertise in project management and execution. The project, completed earlier this year, exemplifies APSS’s ability to transform spaces while meeting the highest standards of sustainability and efficiency.
Stuart Marsland, Sales Director for APSS, said: “This project truly reflects our ethos of combining visionary design with practical implementation. Being recognised in this category is a huge honour and validates the efforts of everyone involved.”
Innovation and Collaboration at the Core
At the heart of APSS’s success lies a dedication to fostering strong partnerships with clients and stakeholders. The company’s collaborative approach ensures that every project is tailored to the client’s unique requirements, resulting in spaces that are not only visually striking but also highly functional and future-ready.
Over the past year, APSS has placed a particular emphasis on sustainable design and development, incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices into its projects.
Laurence added: “We are thrilled to be finalists in these awards. It’s a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and passion that drives our entire team. At APSS, we strive to deliver excellence in everything we do, and these nominations highlight the impact we’re making in the Lincolnshire construction and property sector. Regardless of the outcome, we are incredibly proud to be recognised alongside some of the Lincolnshire’s best.” Car repair duo secure growth funding
A rapidly expanding vehicle repair business has secured a £375,000 business loan from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, through its appointed fund manager Frontier Development Capital (FDC), to help finance its further growth after taking on a fourth site.
Evolve Automotive Repair Centre – which has sites in Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester – acquired PL Carbodies in Warwick a few weeks ago. Since then it has doubled turnover at the site and increased the size of the team from six to 11.
Evolve’s founders Stefan Hill and Jack Thomas plan to continue growing the business and open new sites in other Midlands cities and aim to have 10 locations within the next four years.
Stefan, a former professional motorcycle racer, and Jack, who has a first-class honours in Business Management, set up Evolve four years ago when they were both aged 22. They used funding from their families to open the first site in Coventry and went on to open two further sites in 2023. Following the acquisition of PL Carbodies, they now employ a total of 40 staff across the four locations.
Evolve specialises in carrying out vehicle repairs on behalf of insurers and hire firms. The new site in Warwick has accreditations from BMW and Hyundai and the company aims to gain approvals from other manufacturers for Warwick and the other sites. It is also gearing up for the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), with the Leicester site already specialising in EV repairs.
Stefan Hill, Director, said: “Evolve aims to bring a modern approach to the vehicle repair trade. We recognise that having the right people is key to success and aim to offer good jobs in a safe and comfortable working environment.
“We also invest in technology and training. Evolve was set up with electric vehicles in mind as we believe they are the cars of the future and we are preparing for the changes ahead.
“Our business has come a long way since Jack and I were knocking on doors in Coventry. The funding from Midlands Engine Investment Fund II will support the business in the next stage of its growth.”
Ryan Cartwright of FDC added: “Stefan and Jack have gone from zero to four sites in just three years, demonstrating their ability to build a successful business from scratch.
“There is potential for them to grow the business further by winning new approvals and new clients and opening new sites in Midlands cities where there is a shortage of capacity for vehicle repairs. We are pleased to be able to support their growth plans.”
Adam Cooksley at Navigate Commercial Finance provided fundraising advice to Evolve.
Half of Midlands businesses experienced fraud in the last five years
Almost half (42%) of Midlands businesses have experienced fraud in the last five years, a new survey from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has found.
Of those businesses, 78% said they had experienced fraud in the last 12 months. Additionally, more than a quarter (29%) said they had seen multiple fraud incidents in the last year.
The results come from a BDO survey of 500 directors and business owners from entities with more than 200 employees, conducted to find out directly from the business community about their experience of fraud.
In response to the increased fraud risk, Midlands businesses are taking proactive steps to tackle the issue. According to the BDO survey, around a third of businesses (34%) have increased investment in IT security, with 28% spending more on fraud detection tools such as AI and data analytics. The survey shows that anti-fraud-related expenditure has increased for three-fifths of regional businesses (64%).
Commenting on the findings, Sat Plaha, a partner at BDO LLP in the Midlands and Head of Regional Forensic Services, said: “Fraud remains a significant problem for individual businesses and the wider economy. Fraud losses directly impact profitability and can have catastrophic knock-on effects.
“It is clear that large businesses are particularly tempting targets for fraudsters who are lured by the prospects of higher gains and attracted by the potential vulnerabilities and entry points associated with organisations with high employee numbers.
“However, this year there are some definite positive trends. Anti-fraud-related expenditure is increasing compared to the previous year, with 73% of Midlands businesses investing between £100,000 and £250,000.
“Following the recent introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, we hope the coming year will see all businesses enhance their anti-fraud infrastructure, continue the drive to establish more robust preventative regimes, and proactively monitor and respond to new threats as they arise.”
According to the BDO report, almost half of Midlands businesses (45%) have conducted a fraud risk assessment within the last year, with 35% of companies surveyed providing fraud awareness training for employees during the same period.
Light Science Technologies “confident” as revenue grows and losses shrink
Derbyshire-based Light Science Technologies Holdings, comprising three divisions: Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA); Contract Electronics Manufacturing (CEM); and Passive Fire Protection (PFP), has hailed record group revenues in a new trading update for the 12 months ended 30 November 2024.
Group revenue increased by approximately 29% to £12m for the period, up from £9.3m in the year prior, underpinned by strong trading across all divisions. Losses for the period reduced substantially to £0.2m, from £1.1m.
Light Science Technologies noted that “importantly, the business was net profitable during H2 2024, and management is expecting to sustain this momentum in FY 2025.”
Revenues from the CEM division grew by approximately 5% to £9.5m with continued strong traction from sports entertainment.
The CEA division generated revenues of £0.8m – up approximately 250% year-on-year – highlighting increased traction and the benefits of the firm’s Tomtech acquisition, which is helping drive increased cross selling opportunities.
The PFP division contributed £1.8m in sales, establishing an entirely new revenue stream for the group.
Simon Deacon, CEO of Light Science Technologies Holdings, said: “Our key focus is on continuing the profitability we have seen in H2 with increasing levels of margin contributions from PFP and CEA; and by realising further efficiency gains across the Group.
“We are an innovative business, and management has worked hard to stabilise and scale operations within growth markets. We believe that we are positioned to generate increasing levels of recurring revenue and cash and have a portfolio of well-balanced sustainable businesses that are positioned to benefit from broader market trends as we focus on long-term profitable trading.
“We have a number of exciting opportunities across all three divisions and are confident that the business will provide strong and growing returns.”
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Derbyshire charity urges businesses to ‘adopt’ them and comfort poorly families
Businesses have been urged to go local and make a huge impact on families going through the worst times by adopting Derbyshire’s “me&dee” as their Charity of the Year.
Founded by Maria Hanson MBE, the charity is marking its 18th birthday in 2024 and helps hundreds of families a year when a life limiting or terminal condition is diagnosed.
With its small team of five including Maria as its unsalaried CEO, me&dee runs a vast range of projects to provide comfort where it is most needed.
These include comfort packs containing essentials for people rushed to children’s wards, who find themselves in the worst situations without supplies. The charity also gives highly valued and sensitive support to adult cancer units, palliative care departments and the children’s mortuary.
Special memory making days out are organised for families facing short futures, and the charity also provides comforting ‘Hope’ the elephant keepsakes with hidden voice recorders for parents and children to leave a last memory and sound of a voice, along with support for hospital bereavement teams and a Baby Hope comfort blanket for families who have been through the agony of losing a child.
Through its Continuing Care programme, me&dee also supports those who are going through – or have experienced – gruelling medical treatment, with a range of days out and activities for the whole family.
These include monthly swimming sessions at Moorways in Derby for children with disabilities including dwarfism, brain tumours, cancer and amputated limbs, who are normally unable to access mainstream swimming.
A regular attender is me&dee’s young ambassador, 10-year-old Taylor Lewis of Ilkeston, who has had all four limbs amputated after contracting meningitis as a baby – and who has also raised significant funds for the charity too, whilst facing five more imminent surgeries to add to the 89 he has already been through.
Businesses who have adopted me&dee as their chosen charity have urged others to help make an even greater impact.
Allison Kemp, managing director of Ripley-based A.I.M Commercial Services, is a big supporter of me&dee, sponsoring a monthly ‘Hope’ the elephant scheme and booking seats for its fundraising events.
She said: “Having me&dee as our chosen charity works for me because it really makes a difference to so many people’s lives. You can see that your support is going somewhere.”
Maria Hanson MBE said: “We are always blown away when businesses support our small charity with a big heart, and we would love to see more come forward and consider adopting us.
“We know we do huge things with our small team and we can guarantee that when a business supports us, their money really does make a big difference to people who are going through some of the worst times.
“Swimming sessions at Moorways cost hundreds of pounds a month but to see the smiles on the faces of children who otherwise wouldn’t be able to go into a public pool just melts our hearts – and that’s just one activity amongst dozens that we very carefully arrange. These are invaluable also for peer support for both children and parents.
“We make sure we help the whole family too – as we know how often siblings can suffer when one child is receiving intense medical treatment. That’s why the treats we organise benefit everyone in the family.
“Hope the Elephant provides such comfort to so many. She has helped grieving mothers when her voice recorder has kept precious last words and sounds of their loved ones.
“From the bottom of our hearts, when businesses are considering which charity to support with Christmas approaching, please do think about me&dee. We promise your support will be appreciated. It will not go unnoticed and it will make a huge impact.”
Shaun Jones, founder of Nottingham-based SJ Coaching & Advisory Ltd, provides a monthly sponsorship of “Hope” the elephant and regularly attends the charity’s annual charity golf days at Matlock Golf Club, often inviting clients to join him in supporting the cause.
Shaun explained: “me&dee isn’t just a charity—it’s a lifeline for people who need immediate, meaningful support. Maria’s dedication is truly inspiring, and the personal, heartfelt impact me&dee delivers resonates deeply with my business principles of making a difference.
“Supporting me&dee allows me to give back in a way that feels personal and impactful. ‘Hope’ the elephant brings comfort to families during incredibly challenging times. The charity’s work is unique, special, and deeply personal, and it’s a privilege to be part of their journey.”
Shelly Orrill works for global company Pearce Signs, also a supporter of me&dee. The team at Pearce Signs organised a special ball for 100 people in aid of the charity, as well as sponsoring ‘Hope’.
She said: “We just can’t believe the amount of work that me&dee does with such a small team. They have been going for 18 years and don’t get any funding. They work for the whole family giving people their support. They’re still in touch with people they helped in their first year.
“You just don’t realise what people go through until you meet some of the families who have been helped through me&dee.
“As a business, doing something for somebody else gives you such a good feeling. It feels great to support a charity that is helping so many people.”
