Silverstone electric vehicle firm restarts operations following restructure
Silverstone-based electric vehicle firm, Lunaz, backed by David Beckham, has restarted operations after a company restructure. It follows an entry into administration in March.
According to a report from administrators FRP, in early 2024 the company sought to raise additional funding through a series-B fund raise but was unsuccessful. In response, the board of directors reviewed the company’s financial position and concluded that it was unable to continue to fund the ongoing costs of the group, unable to repay its loans and that the company was insolvent.
Following the restructure, Lunaz will now continue electrifying classic cars and up-cycling commercial vehicles under a new structure and business entities, as reported by City A.M., with the business saying that order books are open.
Classic car electrification will resume under Lunaz Design, and commercial vehicle operations, such as bin lorries, through Up-cycled Electric Vehicles.
David Lorenz, founder, said: “We are delighted to have worked with our clients and stakeholders to create a new structure that lays the foundations for the long-term sustainable growth of the business.”
Partners secure £1m grant to reduce carbon impact of buildings with AI
An effort led by Morgan Sindall Construction, Nottingham Trent University, and the software company ConstructSys to use AI for reducing the carbon impact of buildings received a boost with a nearly £1 million grant from Innovate UK.
The award will support the significant enhancement of an existing and proven Whole Life Carbon measurement tool, CarboniCa, which was launched by Morgan Sindall Construction in 2021. CarboniCa is already being used on 100+ large building projects each year and has to date saved over 30,000 tonnes of carbon.
The Innovate UK funding will allow the partners to develop novel algorithms that automate the process of data collection and evaluation in Whole Life Carbon Assessments (WLCA), supporting people in decision making, which speeds up the process and achieves productivity gains.
The UK construction industry is on the cusp of a new era where WLCAs have a much greater weighting. WLCAs combine carbon measures for day-to-day occupancy with those for embodied emissions from materials and energy used to produce and assemble materials in construction and over the life of an asset.
They are on the critical path of efforts to achieve Net Zero as around 25% of UK carbon emissions are linked to the built environment and materials such as steel and cement alone account for around 15% of global carbon emissions.
Inputting data and producing high-quality assessments is a time intensive activity. By harnessing AI capability, the new system will accelerate creating WLCAs by as much as 85%. The significant time and carbon savings will in turn pave the way towards much higher levels of WLCA adoption in the sector as a whole and therefore greatly assist in the UK’s efforts to achieve carbon reductions.
Innovate UK has made a grant of £947,000 against the three partners’ research and development costs of £1,418,000. The award recognises that innovation is required to support the rapid adoption of WLCAs within the UK construction industry, with governments around the world increasingly mandating their use.
It also noted that carbon pricing, which makes emitters pay for the true cost of pollution, is being considered for introduction into the building sector. Its arrival in the UK would further stimulate WLCA demand and introduce commercial incentives to reduce carbon.
Tim Clement, Director of Social Value & Sustainability at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We started working on the research and development phase of CarboniCa back in 2017 and the Innovate UK funding award recognises the enormous potential for further development of the tool we have already in service and helping reduce carbon in a transparent, credible way.
“Innovation in this area has much to contribute in terms of increasing confidence in decision-making around sustainability, something that can only happen with credible data outputs being made more readily available. We have an established and highly effective working relationship with our research and development partners at Nottingham Trent and ConstructSys respectively.
“Our next step is building a cutting edge AI engine into a state of the art system that drastically reduces the time taken to produce an accurate WLCA. The funding means we can develop a series of new algorithms to exploit the growing dataset of actual project data already inputted into the CarboniCa tool, streamlining the process of creating early-stage benchmarks for different building types. The algorithms will also generate insights based on human-curated product databases, to further the tool’s mission as a carbon reduction tool.”
NTU’s research team operates within the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment. It is co-led led by Professor Amin Al-Habaibeh, Professor of Intelligent Engineering systems, and Dr Emmanuel Manu, Associate Professor in Construction Management.
Professor Al-Habaibeh said: “This is a great opportunity to implement cutting-edge deep learning AI technology to enhance productivity, improve competitiveness and speed up the evaluation process of building’s carbon footprint. This will enable a better material selection and more optimum designs to address climate change.
“This collaboration with Morgan Sindall and partner organisations will bridge the gap between academic innovation and implementation and will also benefit NTU’s future AI teaching and training in wide range of disciplines as sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.”
Dr Emmanuel Manu said: “The construction and operation of buildings contribute to about 33% of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of global energy consumption. This makes it important to address the whole life cycle of construction projects starting from the design stage to reduce carbon emissions.”
AI is a general term for describing when a machine mimics human cognitive functions, like problem-solving, pattern recognition, and learning. Machine learning is a subset of AI and uses statistical techniques to give computer systems the ability to ‘learn’ from data, without being explicitly programmed.
A machine becomes better at understanding and providing insights as it is exposed to more data. The advance of these technologies in the construction industry is one of the industry’s most compelling trends.
“Digital systems such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) have been around for a long time now and, when harnessed effectively, make a hugely positive impact in terms of successfully delivering projects,” added Tim Clement.
“When it comes to the creation and adoption of next generation solutions, such as harnessing AI and machine learning, there are even bigger challenges, such as making sure we use the technology in a highly transparent, human-centred way. That’s why the innovation we are applying to here is important and can help set a path to a lower carbon future.”
Terinex Flexibles opens net zero CO2 rated factory building near Derby
Terinex Flexibles has opened its new sustainable EPC A+ rated factory building. Believed to be the UK’s first net zero CO2 rated building to house a flexographic printing facility, it is located on a new 3-acre site on Dove Valley Park, near Derby.
The 46,000 sq ft building is big enough to accommodate the company’s future growth and innovation plans in the most sustainable way possible.
The factory and office building was opened by Frank McArdle, retired chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council. McArdle was instrumental in supporting OGM Holdings Group with the new build project at Dove Valley Park, having championed growth in the region for many years.
Other local representatives were also in attendance at the opening such as Dr Justin Ives, South Derbyshire District Council’s chief executive. Also at the opening event, were those involved in the design and build of the factory and Terinex Flexibles’ suppliers.
Parent company, OGM Holdings Group, has invested over £10m in the new facility which is more than double the size of the original Terinex Flexibles factory that was located in Ripley.
As part of OGM’s focus on creating more sustainable manufacturing sites, the Terinex Flexibles facility – designed by IMA Architects and developed by Clowes Developments UK LTD – has been built and equipped using the latest materials, machinery, technology and processes.
This has resulted in low overall energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The factory generates its own energy from renewable sources and will be able to recover and reuse energy for many years to come.
To recover energy from the byproducts of the printing process for reuse, an innovative heat recovery system has been installed, linked to an advanced regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO). Depending on the amount of printing that is done at any one time, it is expected that between 45 – 230 kW of energy will be generated.
This energy is captured and stored as hot water in two 10,000l buffer vessels and used for heating large volumes of air that are required for drying the ink in the printing process, as well as being reused for heating rather than drawing gas from the mains.
The roof has been fitted with a solar PV panel array of 215 kWp for generating power to operate the factory, including power for the 54kW immersion heaters in the buffer vessels.
All the offices are serviced with Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR), providing a minimum of 75% energy efficient ventilation to sealed rooms. Also, the lighting power consumption is well below industry benchmarks, a night set-back system has been included to minimise overnight heating consumption and electric charging points are in situ for staff and visitor cars.
The careful use of technology and materials for the fabric of the building, windows and doors has led to a building air permeability of no greater than 5.0 m3/(h.m2) at 50 Pa. This is far below the minimum standard set by The Building Regulations Approved Document Part L2A of 10.0 m3/(h.m2) at 50 Pa.
Paul Wightman, Group Managing Director of the OGM Holdings Group, says: “We are proud to have created a state-of-the-art facility in terms of energy efficiency. As well as the fabric and services of the building, we are investing in efficient plant equipment and other energy saving devices. For example, variable speed inverter drives have been added on all pumps and fan motors to further reduce consumption.
“Being an environmentally conscious business is no longer enough. We believe achieving demonstrable 30% reductions in the carbon footprint of our Group factories by 2025 is now mandatory. We are also doing everything we can to offer our customers more sustainable flexible film options.
“These include compostable, recyclable and PCR (post-consumer 30% to 90% recycled content) materials, compostable inks, recyclable papers and reusable pallets. In terms of emissions management, we take this very seriously and as a result of investment in the latest technology for cleaning our exhaust gases, our solvent mass emissions to atmosphere will be below 20mg/Nm3, which is the most stringent target for VOCs emissions.”
£3m campaign to attract global R&D investment to the Midlands
A groundbreaking coalition of seventeen universities from the Midlands has launched a new £3m international campaign to attract inward investment into R&D, innovation and science – leveraging their global connections to drive economic growth across their region.
Led by Midlands Innovation and the Midlands Engine Partnership and hosted at Loughborough University, the Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign has been developed with a range of regional partners including the West Midlands Growth Company, Midlands Enterprise Universities and the East Midlands Freeport.
It was launched at the UK Real Estate, Infrastructure and Investment Forum (UKREIIF), which was attended by nearly 13,000 investors, delegates and developers.
Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Andrew Griffith MP, announced an award of £1.5 million from the UK’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) to support the campaign over the next two years, which has been matched by universities and regional partners.
The campaign will see universities across the Midlands joining forces to create a more ambitious offer to global investors. It will showcase the five sectors where the Midlands is world-renowned for the strength of its research and innovation: Health and life sciences, Agritech, Creative and digital, Transport technologies and Zero carbon energy. They will also leverage their international alumni, industry and university connections focused in six markets (Australia, Germany, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and the USA) to engage investors and raise the profile of the Midlands.
Aligning with the priorities of the new West and East Midlands Mayors and other local leaders, it will help promote the region as an outstanding destination for global investment. It will support efforts from government and local growth agencies to secure game-changing funding for innovation focused major regeneration projects across the region that have universities as a core partner. These include sites within both West and East Midlands Investment Zones.
The campaign will also work closely with Midlands Mindforge, an independent patient capital investment company, established by the eight research intensive universities in the Midlands Innovation partnership. Midlands Mindforge aims to deploy £250m to “invest with impact,” founding and scaling transformational science backed companies in sectors such as Clean Technologies, AI & Computational Science, Life Sciences & Health Tech. It will create highly skilled jobs in the Midlands and support the UK’s ambition to become a science and technology superpower.
The campaign announcement was welcomed at the launch event at UKREIIF by Loughborough University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings and Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation.
Professor Jennings said: “I am delighted that that our consortium of universities and regional partners have been able to secure this highly competitive funding and that Loughborough University will host the Invest in UK University R&D – Midlands Campaign.
“It is testament to the trailblazing nature of the partners in the Midlands that this is being seen as a pilot to inform future national policy and practice. We are stronger together and will attract the foreign direct investment through partnership working.”
Campaign programme lead Professor Parsons added: “The £1.5m grant from the Government’s highly prestigious International Science Partnership Fund, match funded by our Midlands consortium, will accelerate and broaden our scale up activities across the collective research and innovation strengths in the regional universities. Together we will create a compelling and ambitious offer to global investors.”
Professor Julia Sutcliffe, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Business and Trade, who will Chair the campaign’s Advisory Group, addressed over 300 investors and partners at the Midlands Engine Reception at UKREIIF: “By supporting inward investment into science, technology and innovation, the Department for Business and Trade is key to delivering the Government’s ambition for the UK to become a Science and Technology Superpower by 2030.
“This collaboration from the Midlands is a great example of how places, universities and the public sector can come together to drive greater investment into R&D across the regions.”
Midlands Engine Partnership Chairman, Sir John Peace, said: “This funding will provide a platform for us to showcase the unique strengths of the Midlands and position our region on the global investment map. This programme is a perfect example of how the power of partnership between the Midlands Engine and our fantastic universities is helping extend the global reach of our region.”
Fresh prepared food firm acquires humous brand
Bakkavor Group, the provider of fresh prepared food with a number of sites in Lincolnshire and Newark, has acquired Moorish, the UK humous brand.
The Moorish brand was founded in 2012 by Julie Waddell and the product range includes the award-winning, UK-first, smoked humous. Today Moorish products are distributed across a number of major supermarket outlets and independent retailers, with revenue of over £2m.
Moorish will sit alongside other brands that Bakkavor is working with, including Pizza Express, The Delicious Dessert Company, The Pizza Company and more recently Pinch. The Managing Director of Moorish, Andy Atherton, will remain in a consultancy role to support the brand transition to Bakkavor’s new ownership.
Julie Waddell, founder of Moorish, said: “Since starting from my kitchen table in 2012, it’s been quite a journey to see the business grow into what it is today. I’m incredibly proud of what Moorish has achieved and have thoroughly enjoyed growing the brand and product range from scratch to success with my team.
“I feel very fortunate that for the last 12 years my job has been to create innovative, delicious products that are loved by consumers across the UK. In Bakkavor, there are so many great opportunities still to explore with the brand and I will enjoy watching Moorish flourish as the new owners take it to the next level.”
Mike Edwards, CEO of Bakkavor Group plc, said: “The high-quality, innovative Moorish products will be a great addition to our existing brands and will complement our existing dips business.
“The Moorish brand has so much more potential than just humous and we are excited about expanding it into other relevant Bakkavor categories in the future. We’d like to congratulate Julie, Andy and the team on the great brand they have built and are looking forward to it growing further under our ownership.”
A corporate finance team from Dow Schofield Watts’ Leicester office led by partner Harry Walker, director Fahim Kassam and associate director Daniel Chouciño, together with a legal team from Gunnercooke in Leicester led by Jahid Ali, advised the shareholders of Moorish. Bakkavor Group plc were advised by a team from Gowling WLG’s Birmingham office, led by Chris Towle and Andreea Serban.
Commenting on the deal, Harry Walker added: “We’re really pleased to have found a fantastic partner for Moorish moving forwards. Working with Julie, Andy and the team to prepare the business for sale and then identify the right home has been a pleasure. We are looking forward to seeing Moorish in even more outlets in the future and continuing to enjoy their amazing products!”
Works progressing on new £3.6m medical centre in Leicestershire
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, is progressing works on the new Barwell Medical Centre in Leicestershire.
The new two-storey doctor’s surgery, located off High Street, Barwell, will replace the existing centre on Jersey Way, which is at capacity and unable to meet the growing demand for its services from the local community.
Due for completion in June 2024, the new medical centre will provide modern healthcare facilities to many more local people, with demand expected to grow from its current 6,400 to 11,000 users over the next five to ten years.
The additional space at the new centre will allow it to provide a greater range of much-needed health services, including physiotherapy and mental health support.
The new L-shaped building will consist of 12 consulting rooms, a space for minor surgical procedures with recovery facilities, a health promotion area, as well as 52 car parking spaces and six cycle racks. The centre will be constructed to BREEAM Excellent standards, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the new Medical Centre.
Demolition works at the unused brownfield site have already taken place which saw the removal of a former vehicle workshop and warehouse.
Adrian Grocock, Group Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “To be delivering this new contemporary medical facility which will enable more local people to access vital medical care, as well as its expanding specialist services, is a privilege.
“G F Tomlinson is vastly experienced in the delivery of healthcare schemes and understand the incredibly important role they play in the local community. The team and I are looking forward to seeing this significant facility progress over the coming months.”
Masterplan revealed for Nottingham’s Broad Marsh
The Masterplan to transform the Broad Marsh area of Nottingham has been unveiled. It progresses on from just an idea of the Broad Marsh Vision, to show exactly what the area needs and what would successfully work when developing the scheme. It shows how the area could look when creating new homes, offices, leisure and green spaces.
The Masterplan shows how to transform the area to create opportunities to live and work in the area, bring investment and employment for local businesses.
This plan will help realise the bold vision for the site created with Heatherwick Studio following the Big Conversation, an extensive public consultation which attracted more than 3,000 responses and 12,000 comments.
Key elements of the Broad Marsh vision include:
- 1,000+ new homes
- Around 2,500 new jobs
- Around 20,000 sqm office & commercial & leisure
- Excellent Public Realm
- Retention of part of old shopping centre’s structural frame to provide opportunities for innovative new spaces including NHS CDC and a Caves visitor attraction.
Rolls-Royce’s transformation on track
Rolls-Royce’s transformation is on track after a strong start to the year, building on a record performance in 2023.
Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgic stated: “Our work to transform Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing business is continuing with pace and intensity as we execute on the granular strategy we set out last November.
“We are driving growth, delivering contractual improvements and improved margins, unlocking efficiencies and creating value across the Group. We have had a strong start to the year, despite continued industry-wide supply chain challenges.
“This builds on our record performance in 2023 and provides further confidence in our guidance for 2024. The focused investments we are making will continue to drive growth and create value for all our stakeholders in the mid-term and beyond.”
In a new trading update the business said it was continuing “to demonstrate a strong track record of delivery,” adding: “Our operating profit and cash growth reflects an underlying performance improvement driven by the impact of our strategic initiatives, notably commercial optimisation including contractual improvements, cost efficiency actions, and the effective management of ongoing supply chain challenges.” Rolls-Royce’s full year 2024 guidance is unchanged, with a broadly balanced weighting for both profit and cash flow across the year. The business also noted it has reduced its gross debt position by repaying a EUR 550 million bond from underlying cash and cancelled its last remaining UKEF-supported undrawn loan facility, both enabled by a more resilient and growing cash delivery.In positive news for its Civil Aerospace division, long-term service agreement large engine flying hours (EFH) have returned to 100% of 2019 levels in the four months to 30 April, driven by the continued recovery of international traffic in Asia and Rolls-Royce’s growing fleet.
Furthermore, the momentum of new widebody business wins has continued with VietJet and Starlux orders announced during the Singapore Air show. In addition, IndiGo, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, recently agreed to order 60 Trent XWB engines.
In Defence, the long-term growth of the business has been underpinned by several recent contract awards, while in Power Systems, a strong position in the data centre market is providing growth opportunities as Rolls-Royce sees higher demand from artificial intelligence and cloud services providers. Demand for governmental applications also remains high as states increase their investments in defence capabilities.
Following Rolls-Royce’s announcement of proposed organisational changes in October 2023, the business said is it now “on track to deliver the annualised sustainable benefit of around £200 million by the end of 2025. Consultation is advanced and continued progress is expected during the remainder of the year as we implement a simpler and more strategically focused agile organisation.”
Historic 19th century Derbyshire hospital building sold to residential developer
An historic 19th century Derbyshire hospital building has been sold to a residential developer.
Newholme Hospital, in Bakewell, which originated as a workhouse in 1841 and is now being decommissioned by the NHS, has been sold by property consultancy Fisher German to an undisclosed residential developer.
Fisher German acted on behalf of NHS Property Services Ltd to market Newholme Hospital after it became surplus to requirements following the announcement of a new £11 million NHS integrated health hub which is being constructed on land adjoining the site and is expected to open later this year.
Despite turbulent market conditions as a result of rising interest rates and the complexity of the site, including five Grade II listed buildings, Fisher German has now completed the sale.
The hospital is expected to close when all current health services transfer into the new integrated health hub.
Newholme Hospital was marketed as a development opportunity, with potential to transform the site, including its Grade II listed buildings, into residential accommodation.
The developer will be revealing its proposed plans for the site in the coming months.
Rupert Collis, of Fisher German, said: “We are extremely pleased to complete the sale of Newholme Hospital on behalf of NHS Property Services Ltd.
“We worked closely with NHS Property Services throughout the process, as well as with its planning consultants Planning and Design Group, who produced an in-depth development brief which provides guidance to support the redevelopment of Newholme Hospital and was in-turn endorsed by the Peak District National Park Authority.
“This was a particularly challenging site due to the restrictions around the development of Grade II-listed buildings, but we were able to secure a purchaser with a strong reputation in the industry.
“The deal also highlights the returning buyer confidence in the commercial development market now that interest rates have stabilised.
“The developer has not yet revealed its plans for the site, but we are confident that any proposed scheme will be highly positive for Bakewell.
“It would also sit alongside what will be a modern new NHS facility for those living in Bakewell and the surrounding area.”
£8m Early Stage Angel Investment Fund launched for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire businesses
D2N2 LEP Chair Elizabeth Fagan announced the launch of D2N2 LEP’s Early Stage Angel Investment Fund at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds yesterday.
Speaking at the interactive panel session ‘Focus on the East Midlands, our Time is Now’, alongside East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward, Elizabeth said: “I’m delighted to announce today that we are launching our Early Stage Angel Investment Fund here in Leeds at UKREiiF.
“The purpose of the Fund is to stimulate investment and growth in ‘early stage’ companies – those that have been trading between six and 24 months – that are based in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham or Nottinghamshire (the D2N2 region).
“D2N2 LEP is contributing £4 million to the Fund and this will be match-funded by our investment fund manager, Haatch. Our aim is that over the longer term, these funds will be re-invested in the programme, to catalyse investment and growth for further early stage companies.”
Swift deal sees redevelopment of Burton property
Rushton Hickman has successfully appraised, marketed and sold 114-116 High Street, Burton upon Trent on behalf of client Great Central Properties Ltd, within a timeframe of just two months.
Regional Contractors Ltd has acquired the freehold of 114-116 High Street, Burton upon Trent, with plans to redevelop the first floor into residential apartments and modernise the ground floor for retail purposes.
Taylor Millington, the surveyor responsible for the transaction, said: “It is always positive news when a transaction progresses swiftly, resulting in a mutually beneficial outcome for all parties involved.
“Given the significant amount of interest the property got within the first week, we were able to quickly negotiate a strong deal for our client along with an agreed quick turnaround.”
Taylor continued: “The property requires extensive redevelopment to transform it into a mixed-use investment, but this is something that Regional Contractors Ltd were happy to take on.
“The modernisation of the retail shops will bring continued growth and addition to the busy high street and the repurposing of the upper floor into residential accommodation will help bring much needed homes to the market.”
Great Central Properties Ltd said: “I cannot express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding work the team at Rushton Hickman have done in marketing and facilitating the sale of our commercial property.
“The dedication, professionalism and strategic approach to marketing the property have been instrumental in attracting potential buyers. The comprehensive marketing campaign, including the well-designed promotional materials and online presence, showcased the property in the best light possible.
“The team’s prompt communication, attention to detail and proactive approach exceeded my expectations and I want to express my gratitude for all the hard work, commitment and the positive attitude that was brought to every aspect of this sale.
“I look forward to the opportunity of working together in the future, on my next purchase.”
East Midlands company introduces new leadership team to help promote fire safety
As part of a continuous drive for innovation and excellence in fire safety, Firechief® Global is excited to announce the formation of a new Senior Leadership Team. This strategic move will improve organisational structure and enhance leadership capabilities, supporting Firechief® Global’s mission of making the world a safer place.
The vision at Firechief® Global has always been clear – to create a world where everyone can live and work free from the fear of fire. To help bring this vision into reality, the Senior Leadership Team will be focused on strategic growth, product innovation, and delivering the superior service levels that customers value so highly.
Headed up by the Managing Director, the Senior Leadership Team is a compact team of 4 individuals, each bringing a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the table. The team consists of:
Laurie Pollard – Managing Director
With more than 2 decades of experience in the fire safety industry, Laurie is keenly aware of the devastation and damage that fire can cause and is passionately driven to make the world a safer place through market-leading fire safety solutions. Laurie leads from the front in building on the past 20 years to develop strategic growth plans, creating a high-performance team focused on delivering results.
Ian Poole – Sales and Marketing Director
With experience across multiple sectors, including the care sector, Ian is highly motivated to help care for and protect others. He leads Firechief® Global’s sales and marketing teams, championing education and awareness of fire safety in both commercial and domestic environments.
Sean Hutchinson – Operations Director
With a robust background spanning 30 years in procurement, Sean brings a wealth of experience to the operational management of Firechief®. A CIPS member since 2006, Sean is driving improvements across the full operations team, including supply chain, fulfilment, compliance, and new product development. Sean enjoys developing strategic partnerships with partners across the operations function.
Chetan Thakar – Finance Director
With more than a decade of experience leading the Finance team at Firechief® Global, Chetan has developed a robust and sustainable financial structure at Firechief® Global. Carrying a degree in Accountancy & Finance, Chetan plays an instrumental role in steering strategic financial planning and ensuring the financial health of the company.
Freeports sign green freight corridor initiative
Freeport East and East Midlands Freeport have formed a new partnership to support a green freight corridor that will help decarbonise transport and drive enhanced skills and employment initiatives along the length of one of the UK’s most important transportation routes.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Freeport East CEO, Steve Beel, and Tom Newman-Taylor, CEO of East Midlands Freeport, on Wednesday 22 May at UKREiif. The MOU underlines both parties’ commitment to working with a range of public and private sector partners, particularly in the logistics sector, to deliver a greener transportation corridor.
Building on the opportunities created by the Government’s recently published Freeports Delivery Roadmap, the initiative will emphasise the need for greater investment to support the decarbonisation of transport flows between the two freeport locations. By working together, the freeports will accelerate the technologies, business models, innovation and infrastructure needed to drive decarbonisation by utilising green hydrogen, electric charging systems and novel technology applications, such as digital twins.
Green Corridors are already an established part of the maritime decarbonisation sector. Delivering a green corridor initiative between the UK’s largest container port and the heart of the Midlands logistics Golden Triangle, offers the opportunity to combine maritime and land transport decarbonisation initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of goods entering and leaving the UK.
Every day, over 5,000 trucks and daily freight trains leave the ports in the Freeport East area, of which the majority head towards the Midlands and onwards to others part of the UK. The largest of these ports, Felixstowe, is the main gateway to the UK from the Far East and a range of global destinations. East Midlands Freeport, which is centred on the Golden Triangle for logistics, road, rail and the UK’s largest dedicated air cargo operation at East Midlands Airport provides significant opportunities to drive clean fuel applications that will influence the whole of the UK.
Projects already underway that will support the corridor include development of green logistics infrastructure in Felixstowe, Stowmarket and East Midlands Gateway. Freeport East is also developing a Green Hydrogen Hub that will support clean fuels for transport decarbonisation while East Midlands Freeport is supporting the transition of the UK’s last coal fired power station at Ratcliffe on Soar to a clean energy production hub.
The Government has set an ambitious target of growing rail freight by at least 75% by 2050 alongside delivering a net zero rail network. It is investing in zero emission HGV demonstrators ahead of a planned phase out of non-zero emissions HGV sales by 2040. Benefits of a green corridor would not only support the UK’s aspirations on net zero, but also help minimise the impact of freight transport in places like Cambridge, Ipswich and Leicester.
The parties have also identified the opportunity to strengthen collaboration on skills developments – East Midlands Freeport is progressing plans for a Future Energy Skills Hub and £17m has been invested in a Zero Carbon Innovation Centre, while Freeport East is looking to develop new innovation and skills centres in Stowmarket and Harwich. The Green Corridor initiative will drive a new focus on the demands for transport and energy planning, green logistics and operation of new vehicle fleet and fuels, all of which will require new skills for the future.
Tom Newman-Taylor, Chief Executive of East Midlands Freeport, said: “This exciting initiative illustrates how Freeports can be forerunners in the decarbonisation of transport and industry. We’re looking forward to working with Freeport East and our partners to deliver greener freight along this important corridor. With large-scale clean energy investments we can drive demand and opportunities for greener logistics, using our central location to deliver widespread change.”
Steve Beel, Chief Executive of Freeport East, said: “Our Green Corridor initiative reflects the commitment of our freeports and industry partners to deliver more sustainable and decarbonised transportation. For goods travelling into and out of the UK, to destinations ranging from Europe, to the Far East and the rest of the world, this will facilitate greener logistics through the Ports of Felixstowe, Ipswich and Harwich to the heart of the UK economy and beyond.”
Regeneration of Leicester’s market place under review
Plans for the regeneration of Leicester’s market place could be under review, now that the demolition of the old market infrastructure has revealed the potential of the historic space.
The removal of the old roof and the heavy wooden stalls has opened up views of the attractive heritage buildings that surround the market area and highlighted the dramatic scale of the space, prompting City Mayor Peter Soulsby to question whether reintroducing new permanent infrastructure onto the site would be the right thing to do.
Council officers have now been tasked with drawing up alternative proposals, which would see Leicester’s market traders moving to a purpose-built location next to the Food Hall – and would allow the former market site to revert to its original purpose as an important meeting place in the heart of the city centre.
Archive photographs from the early 20th century show the market area as a vast open space where people would gather for political rallies or national celebrations. Market stalls would be packed away when not in use, leaving the space free for festivals and other special events – a flexibility that the City Mayor is keen to see restored.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one who watched the old market roof come down and was blown away by what was revealed,” he said.
“As the demolition team cleared the site, I was struck by the scale of the space and the quality of the surrounding architecture.
“It made me ask myself if we were missing an opportunity to do something really special.
“If we install new permanent infrastructure on the site – with stalls that would be used for just eight hours a day, six days a week – we won’t be able to use this extraordinary space for anything else. And once those new stalls are in place, they’ll probably be there for the next 30 years.
“We therefore have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do something quite bold – and that’s to reconsider our plans and create the impressive, flexible space for large-scale public events that we currently don’t have in Leicester city centre.”
Under the new proposals, the city council would demolish the unattractive 1970s buildings at 12-20 Market Place to create a wide cut-through to Cank Street.
The space created would accommodate a mix of market stalls and container units in a modern trading environment, protected from the elements by a roof.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “I met with representatives of the market traders this morning (Wednesday) to explain my shift in thinking and to talk through the ideas.
“While I fully appreciate their concerns about work being paused on site, I hope I was able to convey that I believe we have an opportunity to make a good scheme even better.
“The proposed location for Leicester Market is a brand new cut-through that would link Market Place with Cank Street and the shops and bars of St Martin’s Square. Footfall would therefore be high – and the market’s proximity to the popular Food Hall would create a strong food-themed destination.
“With Marks & Spencer announcing the closure of its Gallowtree Gate store, and with city centres everywhere becoming less reliant on traditional retail, it’s clear that Leicester city centre must keep evolving to ensure that it continues to be somewhere that people want to visit – and want to invest in.
“This new proposal would provide our market traders with the clean, contemporary and attractive market area they need – and provide the city with a striking open space that could become home to the Christmas ice rink, the summer beach, live performances, outdoor cinema, food and drink festivals, national celebrations, and even open-top bus parades for our brilliant sports clubs.
“Of course there’d be work to do to upgrade and refurbish the beautiful old buildings that surround the space, and to attract the cafés and bars that would help to animate it, but our intention would be to seek funding to support the conservation work and to work with development partners to bring new life to the area.
“I’m now convinced that the right thing to do is to pause work on the current scheme to give people a chance to have their say, and I look forward to hearing those views.”
Any comments on the new ideas for Leicester Market can be emailed to TheMayor@leicester.gov.uk by Friday 14 June.
General Election called July 4th
Rishi Sunak has announced a snap election to take place on July 4th.
While rumours had been abound of an election being called sooner rather than later, Rishi Sunak insisted that an election would not take place until the second half of the year – which July 4th falls into by a very small margin.
Following the announcement in the pouring rain, business leaders are already reacting with East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles saying: “Confirmation that the General Election will be held on 4th July is something we welcome as a politically uncertain environment can hinder planning and decision-making for businesses. Regardless of who is in power, we’re clear in the East Midlands of the policy reform that we need to see to enable business growth.
“For too long our region has been overlooked when it comes to investment, despite the fantastic businesses we have here and our status as a Centre of Trading Excellence – making, moving and innovating the goods and services that make our country tick. Earlier this year we went to Westminster to present our asks directly to the government in our Manifesto for Growth 2024.
“The Manifesto is the direct result of what businesses have been telling us they need from the next UK Government and provides a clear blueprint for the things that would support our growth and success. The document details specific policy asks across four key areas – People and Skills, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Planning, Taxation and Regulation.
“We look forward to continuing our conversations with all of those standing to represent communities in the East Midlands over the coming weeks and ensuring they understand the ways that, if successful, they can support our local businesses to deliver the growth and success that the whole country wants to see.”
Tutum Consulting backs the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024: a “fantastic” way to connect, celebrate and promote achievements
Tutum Consulting have joined the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, backing the Deal of the Year category.
An independent Transport and Highways Consultancy, Tutum Consulting are committed to providing an end-to-end service, supporting clients with all aspects of transport planning. However big or small the project, they can support you from the early stages of planning, right through the planning process and completion. The services Tutum Consulting can support you with include: Road Safety Audits/Collision Investigation and Risk Assessment, Transport and Travel Planning, Highway Design and Technical Support, Construction Traffic/Environmental Management plans, and Feasibility studies for land developers.
By using their personalised approach and unrivalled industry experience, Tutum Consulting deliver safe and efficient solutions for those looking to realise development opportunities.
Sharing why Tutum Consulting decided to sponsor Deal of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, director, Simon Prescott, said: “Sponsoring the ‘Deal of the Year’ award aligns with Tutum Consulting’s mission to recognise and celebrate exceptional achievements within the industry.
“As an independent, emerging company established during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tutum understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with navigating a tumultuous economic landscape. By sponsoring this award, Tutum aims to recognise those who have demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation in these trying times.
“The Deal of the Year category showcases the hard work and impact that can be achieved by colleagues. As a small, independent company, we know the great pride and effort required in achieving these outcomes
“We know firsthand the tremendous effort involved in bringing complex deals to fruition, and we want to acknowledge the teams and individuals who have made significant contributions to their project. By sponsoring this award, we aim to celebrate those who share our dedication to pushing boundaries and driving progress in the construction industry.”
Simon added: “We are looking forward to seeing this year’s entries and learning about the innovative ways in which businesses have worked. The awards show is a fantastic way for colleagues in the industry to not just connect, but celebrate and promote their own services and achievements.
“For Tutum Consulting, this event is an invaluable opportunity to network with landowners, property developers, planners, and architects. We are keen to learn about other services in the East Midlands, identifying opportunities where our expertise can complement and enhance collaborative projects.”
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.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
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:
By using their personalised approach and unrivalled industry experience, Tutum Consulting deliver safe and efficient solutions for those looking to realise development opportunities.
Sharing why Tutum Consulting decided to sponsor Deal of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, director, Simon Prescott, said: “Sponsoring the ‘Deal of the Year’ award aligns with Tutum Consulting’s mission to recognise and celebrate exceptional achievements within the industry.
“As an independent, emerging company established during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tutum understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with navigating a tumultuous economic landscape. By sponsoring this award, Tutum aims to recognise those who have demonstrated remarkable resilience and innovation in these trying times.
“The Deal of the Year category showcases the hard work and impact that can be achieved by colleagues. As a small, independent company, we know the great pride and effort required in achieving these outcomes
“We know firsthand the tremendous effort involved in bringing complex deals to fruition, and we want to acknowledge the teams and individuals who have made significant contributions to their project. By sponsoring this award, we aim to celebrate those who share our dedication to pushing boundaries and driving progress in the construction industry.”
Simon added: “We are looking forward to seeing this year’s entries and learning about the innovative ways in which businesses have worked. The awards show is a fantastic way for colleagues in the industry to not just connect, but celebrate and promote their own services and achievements.
“For Tutum Consulting, this event is an invaluable opportunity to network with landowners, property developers, planners, and architects. We are keen to learn about other services in the East Midlands, identifying opportunities where our expertise can complement and enhance collaborative projects.”
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.
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:
- Most active agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated)
Nominations end Thursday 5th September
Offering advice to entrants of their sponsored category, Deal of the Year, Simon shared: “To create a compelling nomination, focus on what sets your deal apart. Highlight the unique impact and innovative aspects of the project, detailing how it pushed boundaries and achieved significant results. Here are some key elements to emphasise:- Clear Objectives and Vision: Start by outlining the clear objectives and vision behind the deal. Explain the goals you set out to achieve and the strategic thinking involved.
- Challenges and Solutions: Describe the challenges faced during the deal’s execution and the innovative solutions implemented to overcome them. Highlight any creative approaches or out-of-the-box thinking that contributed to the deal’s success.
- Collaboration and Team Effort: Emphasise the collaboration and teamwork that drove the project. Recognize the contributions of all stakeholders, including partners, clients, and team members, showcasing how their combined efforts led to a successful outcome.
- Quantifiable Results: Provide concrete, quantifiable results to demonstrate the impact of the deal. Use metrics such as financial performance, project scale, timelines, and any other relevant data that illustrates the success and significance of the deal.
- Broader Impact: Explain the broader impact of the deal on the community, industry, or market. Highlight any long-term benefits, sustainability initiatives, or positive changes resulting from the project.
- Supporting Materials: Include supporting materials such as testimonials, visuals, and any other documentation that strengthens your nomination. These materials can provide additional context and evidence of your achievements
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:
Marketing Derby urges planning committee to back food and beverage plans
GF Tomlinson 100km hike challenge for charity
G F Tomlinson colleagues are donning their hiking boots to complete the Lake District ‘Ultra Challenge’ in June, raising money for the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust.
Already underway with training, site managers Ed Smith and Phil Laverick will be walking 100km in 24 hours as part of the challenge, crossing the complex terrain of the Lake District on the 8th and 9th of June.
The Midlands contractor announced the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust as its chosen charity of the year back in January and alongside the Ultra Challenge, G F Tomlinson will be hosting a variety of events over the next 12 months to raise further funds for the trust’s research.
Aortic Dissection is a serious heart condition caused by a partial tear in the wall of the aorta, which prevents blood supply and can lead to the rupturing of organs.
Seventy people are diagnosed with the condition each week in the UK and Ireland with only an average survival rate of 50%. The trust aims to help raise awareness and funding for research into early detection, supporting prevention, treatment, and cures for the condition, which if diagnosed and treated in time, can have an 80% survival rate.
Senior site manager, Phil Laverick, said: “While this Ultra Challenge is going to be a mammoth undertaking, it is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness for the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust.
“Ed and I are currently training hard for this event and adding up the blisters by the week. We look forward to the 8th June and thank you for your support.”
Patron of the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust, Pauline Latham, said: “I would like to thank G F Tomlinson for their fundraising efforts on behalf of the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust. This fundraising will help the trust to develop further research to improve diagnosis and save lives, as well as to raise awareness of this little-known condition. G F Tomlinson’s have already done so much for this cause, and once again, I am very grateful for their support.”
Chairman of G F Tomlinson, Andy Sewards, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust as our chosen charity for 2024. When Patron, Pauline Latham contacted back in January, we were only too happy to get involved and help create a greater awareness of this serious medical condition, to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and ultimately, survival rates for over 3,500 sufferers every year.
As well as the sterling efforts of Ed and Phil, the Company have an extensive programme of fundraising events organized throughout the year including; a charity quiz night, raffle, and staff sporting events.”
You can support Ed and Phil’s efforts to raise money for the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust here.
Acquisition brings Nottingham recruitment firms together
Simon Nicholas Associates (SNA), the Nottingham-based construction sector recruitment business, has been acquired by Approach Personnel for an undisclosed figure.
Founded in 2009, SNA specialises in supplying construction professionals, skilled trades, and labour to clients across the UK.
Founder Simon Pearce commented on the acquisition: “I am excited about the future and the opportunities this acquisition brings. We are buying into the vision that Approach Personnel’s Directors have for their business, and I am eager to become a part of it.
“The professionalism and ease with which this acquisition was handled have been remarkable, and I am confident that this partnership will drive further success for myself at Approach Personnel.”
Approach Personnel, headquartered at Chase Park, Nottingham, places temporary and permanent staff nationwide across various sectors, including construction, civil engineering, shopfitting, interiors, industrial, and food production.
This acquisition follows their 2019 acquisition of local recruitment agency Elizabeth Michael Associates, specialists in commercial and office-based roles. The latest acquisition is part of an ambitious growth strategy being implemented by the leadership team.
Adam Charlesworth, Group Director at Approach, said: “We have known Simon Pearce for over twenty years and are delighted to have the opportunity to work with him to expand upon what he has built over the past 15 years.”
Alan Spalding, Group Managing Director at Approach, added: “We have structured plans to triple revenues at our recruitment group, and acquisitions form a critical part of our strategy to achieve these targets.
“We are currently working on another acquisition and are actively seeking similar companies that may be suitable for Approach Personnel or Elizabeth Michael Associates.”
Solicitors Shakespeare Martineau advised Approach Personnel on the transaction.
SNA was advised by Chattertons, who guided them through the acquisition process.
Roger Harcourt, head of office at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Approach Personnel has been a client for many years and we have been privileged to witness their rapid growth. Their professionalism and strategic vision make them a standout client in the recruitment sector.”
Work starts to restore heritage building in Mansfield
Work to restore an architectural gem in Mansfield’s crown is set to begin as part of a scheme backed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and overseen by Mansfield District Council.
Mansfield Townscape Heritage Project, which is managed by the council’s Regeneration team, aims to help property owners in the town centre to renovate rundown buildings in a way that is sympathetic with their historic and architectural attributes by offering grants towards the work.
The Brunts Charity is set to begin a £530,000 six-month programme of renovation thanks to the Townscape Heritage project at The Brunts Chambers buildings in Leeming Street and Toothill Lane, comprising seven retail units and offices.
The work will restore the building and individual units to their original character, involving the renovation or replacement of existing shopfronts, alongside external refurbishment of the front façade of the building. The scheme was awarded a Heritage Fund grant of £306,624 towards the works, with The Brunts Charity funding the remaining costs.
The renovation will be done using materials and repair methods in keeping with the Grade II listed building, which was erected by the trustees of charity on the site of the home of Rowland Dand, the grandfather of Samuel Brunts, who set up the charity in 1711 and whose statue can be seen on front of the building.
Paul Williams, Chief Executive of the charity, which provides over 150 Almshouse properties in Mansfield, said: “The Brunts Charity is so pleased to receive this grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, through Mansfield District Council. As custodians of this wonderful charity, trustees and staff cannot wait to see this historical building restored back to its former glory.
“The building is in a key location in Mansfield and we hope the works will have a positive effect on this part of Mansfield town centre, whilst securing the longevity of the building for years to come.”
Dawn Undy, Chair of the charity, added: “Our founder, Samuel Brunts, left his estate to people in need within Mansfield and district 313 years ago and today, guardians of the charity – our trustees and staff – are testament to his vision to ensure his legacy continues to serve and support our community.”
Cllr Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Growth, said: “We are delighted to see work starting soon on this major restoration of The Brunts Charity building.
“Mansfield town centre has many architectural gems but over the years they may have lost a bit of their gleam. The townscape project aims to make them shine again and we would urge owners to take advantage of this short window of opportunity to invest in restoring these buildings with the help of some very generous grants on offer.”
Grants of up to 70% of eligible conservation works are available to certain properties on Leeming Street, the Market Place and part of Stockwell Gate. The project was due to have ended this year but because the pandemic interrupted the scheme, it has been extended to December 2025.
