New Chair for Boston Town Board
Joanna Brigham has been announced as the new Chair of Boston Town Board.
Joanna, a highly experienced senior leader who has held Chief Executive and Director roles within a broad range of organisations, assumes the role after former Chair Neil Kempster decided to step down.
Joanna’s appointment comes as the Boston Town Board begins a new phase in its existence having been repurposed to oversee the delivery of £20m Long Term Plan for Towns funding awarded to Boston.
This additional funding complements the £21.9m Town Deal funding which is being invested in Boston through a number of transformational projects, including the new Mayflower learning centre at Boston College and improvements to the Geoff Moulder Centre.
Joanna, who was also most recently Chief Executive of UK Shared Business Services Ltd and previously CEO for the Scottish Police Services Authority, and Director of Strategy and Marketing for the Royal Parks said: “I am so pleased to have been appointed to lead Boston Town Board through its next chapter, when we will build on the successful and significant progress to date and look to the future by creating and overseeing the implementation of a long term plan for Boston.
“I would like to thank my predecessor Neil who has held the position of chair almost from the very beginning. I look forward to continuing to work with him and all the board members as we bring together our shared skills, commitment, and ambition for Boston to make a difference for the town.”
Neil, who is Land and Development Director of Chestnut Homes was an inaugural member of the Board and has been Chair of the Boston Town Board since June 2020. During his four years at the helm, the Board’s role expanded after further funding including Levelling Up and more recently Long Term Plan for Towns investment was awarded to Boston.
Neil said: “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair for the Boston Town Board, and to be involved in shaping the town investment plan and projects ever since the announcement of the funding.
“Following the establishment of the Boston Town Board in 2020, which enabled the Boston Town Deal investment of £21.9 million, we have supported significant further funding and investment into Boston.
“This has included Levelling Up and Levelling Up Partnership, match funding for the Town Deal, UK Shared Prosperity Funding, High Street Task Force support and most recently the Long Term Plan for Towns funding.
“Now, with the changes in the board’s role, it feels like the right time for me to step down. I am looking forward to remaining as a board member, and continuing to work with Jo and the other board members. I wish Jo all the very best in her role as Chair.”
Councillor Anne Dorrian, Leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “I think I speak for all the partner organisations who are represented on the Town Board when I say that Neil’s chairmanship over the last four years has given a steady and stable influence, giving oversight to the important major projects of the Town Deal.
“I am delighted that he has chosen to stay on as a board member and is willing to offer his vast wealth of experience as we move forward with the Long Term Plan for Towns.”
Nottingham Venues scoops award at 2024 Conference and Events Awards
Nottingham Venues has been named in the Top 3 ‘Best Venues’ in the UK at the 2024 Conference and Events Awards.
The company, which operates a collection of hospitality destinations located on the University of Nottingham’s campuses – including the 4* Orchard Hotel & Restaurant, The East Midlands Conference Centre, the Jubilee Hotel and Conferences and Campus Venues – scooped the Silver Award in the Best Venue (500-1100 attendees Theatre Style) category.
The Conference and Events Awards are the event industry’s pinnacle of recognition. The annual awards celebrate and champion everyone involved in the events industry including conference and trade-show organisers, in-house events teams, event, PR & marketing agencies and the venues themselves.
The judges recognised Nottingham Venues’ first-class use of technology, beautiful outdoor and indoor space, strong sustainability credentials and excellent customer service which results in a 75% rebooking rate.
Stephanie Moss-Pearce, Director of Marketing at Nottingham Venues, said: “Our category was packed with some of the leading venues in the UK, so the team and I are delighted that Nottingham Venues has scooped the silver award, just 3 years after we launched our brand.”
The Best Venue (500-1100 attendees Theatre Style) award is given to the Best Conference or Event Venue that caters for larger audiences of over 500. Judges will be looking for innovation, expertise and success in all areas including first-class interior design and facilities; flexible and versatile spaces to adapt to clients’ requirements; modern equipment and technology and superb acoustics; excellent customer service and support; competitive pricing and value for money and outstanding catering for event attendees.
Aircraft robotics pioneer raises £1m to support business expansion
A £1 million equity investment in True Position Robotics has become the first deal from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, facilitated by fund manager Mercia Ventures.
True Position Robotics (TPR) is a Nottingham-based company whose industrial robots could revolutionise aircraft production and slash the cost of new planes. The investment comes as demand for new planes has surged due to a rise in passenger numbers and a drive by airlines to replace ageing fleets with more modern, fuel-efficient craft.
TPR, founded in 2018 by Roger Holden, has pioneered a way to automate the assembly process for aircraft using low-cost ‘off the shelf’ industrial robots adapted with its own software and hardware. The company is already working with leading industry names including BAE, which has adopted the technology as part of its Factory of the Future programme.
Currently aircraft assembly is largely a manual process. Parts must be lined up, holes positioned precisely and carefully drilled. TPR’s robots automate the entire drilling process and the subsequent inspection. Its unique optical tracking technology and clamp system keeps the drill in place for 100% accuracy.
This pioneering approach to aircraft assembly enables planes to be built in a fraction of the time and reduces the amount of material required, resulting in lighter craft with better fuel efficiency. The use of lightweight standard robots also means that TPR’s systems are around a tenth of the cost of a traditional automation line and use far less energy.
The equity investment received through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II and managed by Mercia Ventures will enable the business to scale up operations and continue its research and development. Shakespeare Martineau in Nottingham provided legal advice to Mercia Ventures on the deal.
Roger Holden, CEO, True Position Robotics, said: “Unlike vehicle assembly, where processes are repeatable, with aircraft the need for lightweight components and high precision means that no two operations are the same. For this reason automation has so far proved too difficult or too costly. Our robot guidance systems overcome these challenges.
“The investment from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II will enable us to consolidate our position and start work on the next generation of products to ensure we maintain our position as thought leaders in the industry.”
Hannah Tapsell Chapman of Mercia Ventures added: “True Position Robotics’ technology addresses some of the key challenges for UK manufacturers – how to increase productivity, reduce cost and energy use and move towards net zero.
“Despite being an early-stage business, it has already gained real traction and attracted major clients. The funding will help Roger and the team to scale up their operation and pursue their mission to revolutionise aircraft manufacturing.”
Midlands businesses plan multi-million pound investments over the next five years
Mid-sized businesses in the Midlands plan to invest millions over the next five years, with nearly half (42%) planning to spend upwards of £3 million to grow their business, according to accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO LLP.
The firm’s bi-monthly Economic Engine survey of 500 mid-sized businesses, which generate a turnover of between £10 to £300 million each and account for one in four UK jobs, has revealed that nearly a third (29%) of those in the region plan to direct their investment primarily within the UK.
More than a quarter of Midlands businesses (27%) said that sourcing new capital to fund growth was one of their top priorities between now and the end of the year. This includes private equity investment, venture capital or additional bank loans. A similar number (24%) are prioritising developing new products or services.
With a new government now in post, Midlands businesses are calling for policies that will help them deliver their scale-up plans. Facing persistent recruitment challenges, almost half (45%) want to see the Government prioritise policies to ease workforce pressures, including reform of the apprenticeship levy or more support towards the cost of skilled worker visas.
To enable better access to finance, two-fifths (40%) want to see the new Government prioritise smaller business banks entering the market or increasing access to grants for their business. Meanwhile, 40% are calling for more progress on investment in the regions outside London and the South East. The follows the announcement last week during the King’s Speech that an English Devolution Bill will streamline the process to transfer more powers to elected mayors in combined council areas.
Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner in the Midlands at BDO, said: “With a new government in place and inflation hitting the Bank of England’s 2% target in May, businesses in the region have some reason to be optimistic after years of challenging economic conditions and uncertainty.
“The message from Midlands business is clearly one centred on growth, but they will need the support of central policymakers to ensure that the regions receive the required investment to accelerate those ambitions, with Labour looking to take a fresh approach to tackling regional inequalities.”
Government asked to rule on ‘first of a kind’ reactor design from Rolls-Royce
The government has been asked by the Nuclear Industry Association to give a justification decision for Rolls-Royce SMR’s reactor design.
Justification is a regulatory process which requires a Government decision before any new class or type of practice involving ionising radiation can be introduced in the UK.
A justification decision is one of the required steps for the operation of a new nuclear technology in the UK, but it is not a permit or licence that allows a specific project to go ahead. Instead, it is a generic decision based on a high-level evaluation of the potential benefits and detriments of the proposed new nuclear practice as a pre-cursor to future regulatory processes.
The new application, the first of its kind for a UK reactor design, makes the case that the benefits of clean, firm, flexible power from the reactor would far outweigh any potential risks, which are in any event rigorously controlled by robust safety features, including passive safety systems, built into the design, in line with the UK’s regulatory requirements.
The application also demonstrates that the reactor design would support nuclear energy’s contribution to a stable and well-balanced electricity grid, which is essential to reduce consumer bills and maintain economic competitiveness.
Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “Rolls-Royce SMR’s design, like other SMRs, offer huge possibilities for the UK to revive our industrial capabilities and deliver low-carbon energy for net zero and energy security. We are delighted to support this step to get the design approved in its home country.
“It is essential that our nuclear renaissance is made in Britain, so the new Government should ensure that we deploy enough SMR designs to justify investment in the UK supply chain to deliver them.”
Helena Perry, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Safety and Regulatory Affairs Director, said: “As the UK’s most advanced SMR design, today’s submission for regulatory justification is another important step to ensure that we can continue to move at pace towards deployment in the UK.
“Each Rolls-Royce SMR ‘factory-built’ nuclear power plant will provide enough clean, affordable, electricity to power a million homes for 60+ years – delivering energy security, enabling net zero and making a transformational contribution to the UK economy.
“Rolls-Royce SMR remains on track to complete Step 2 of the Generic Design Assessment by the nuclear industry’s independent regulators and move immediately into the third and final step this summer.”
Views sought on £20m improvements for Bulwell town centre
Following Nottingham City Council’s bid for Central Government funding which saw the city allocated around £20 million, the money was formally accepted this spring to transform Bulwell.
The money will allow Nottingham City Council to make huge improvements to Bulwell including:
- A new modern marketplace – around 20,000 square metres of improvements and the creation of a ‘Bulwell Promenade’ linking the marketplace and bogs area.
- More trees and greenery
- Improved public toilets at Bulwell Bus Station
- Better pedestrian links between spaces and links to local transport
- Improvements to Bulwell Bogs, including new play elements, seating areas and and improved connectivity with the River Leen
- Historic buildings and shopfronts will have their heritage features restored
Draft designs approved to change the face of Cleethorpes
Draft designs that will change the appearance of Cleethorpes Market Place and Pier Gardens with the help of an £18.4m government grant have been agreed, and detailed designing can now begin.
The centre of the Market Place is to be pedestrianised for parts of the day, allowing for cafes and public events. This will swallow up most of the parking spaces, though lay-bys and drop off zones will still feature in the plans within Market Place to make sure businesses have access for deliveries.
Additionally, changes are being progressed to convert High Street Car Park into a short stay only car park. The unused land behind the Old Vic pub, is also proposed to be converted into a public car park of around 40 spaces.
Council leader Cllr Philip Jackson said: “We are having discussions with businesses. We know that there are concerns, but we’ve also seen in other areas across the country what these sort of projects do to help local economies, and what the possibilities are.”
The Pier Garden design harks back to the historic use of space, where people went to spend time. The new vision brings people of all ages and abilities together, and creates a more family orientated area, alongside areas for quiet reflection and education, whilst also increasing biodiversity in the resort.
The design proposes a “zoning” system, which will provide a mixture of uses across the park with a consistent theme throughout.
- arrival space at Sea Road/Alexandra Road junction, creating a welcoming space to the gardens;
- events zone to support a mixture of activities/events that could take place;
- play/recreation zone which would consist of a larger central space and provide a mixture of activities for young and older children alike;
- reflection zone at the Sea View Street end of the gardens supporting the existing armed forces memorials that are situated there.
Light Science Technologies’ CEM division to see record breaking year in pest control market
Light Science Technologies Holdings, comprising three divisions: controlled environment agriculture (CEA); contract electronics manufacturing (CEM) and passive fire protection (PFP), has seen continued strong momentum at its CEM division – underpinned by an expected record breaking year for the division in the pest control market.
Last week the company added £628,000 in committed forward orders within its CEM division, which are in addition to historical forward order profiles. As a result, pest control revenues already booked and committed forward orders received and to be satisfied in the current financial year are £825,000 (or 15%) higher than total revenues received from this segment during FY 23.
The CEM division has received a follow-on order from the company’s client in the sports entertainment segment worth £130,000. When this contract was initially announced in February 2024, the company highlighted the significant potential for follow-on revenue, and this order signals the next phase of roll out.
This division continues to benefit from recent positioning to handle larger volume projects and take advantage of wider market trends and the move away from Far East manufacturing.
Overall, the company anticipates reporting full year revenues for the CEM segment of between £9m to £9.5m. Trading in the company’s other two divisions remains in line with management expectations.
Simon Deacon, CEO of LSTH, said: “I’m delighted with the continued momentum within the CEM Division. Importantly we are establishing long-term relationships with clients that have the ability to underpin repeat business opportunities, which will result in increased visibility as we convert our strong quoted sales pipeline.
“We are excited by the significant opportunity within our existing and potential customer base and look forward to providing further updates in due course.”
Gibbet Hill junction nearly at 100% capacity
New analysis released by Midlands Connect shows the vital Gibbet Hill junction is virtually at 100% capacity.
The A5 junction at Gibbet Hill, located on the Warwickshire/Leicestershire border is at 98% capacity every morning. This junction is an important strategic location interchange between the A5 and A426, providing connections between the M1 and M6, as well as providing resilience to the strategic and local road network.
Average daily flows on this section of the A5 Corridor are approximately 7,000 vehicles in each direction but the Gibbet Hill junction is the third worst bottleneck along the A5 corridor; this is anticipated to deteriorate further as more planned growth comes online.
Heavy congestion has been observed at the junction, particularly during peak times, with the volume of traffic close to exceeding traffic capacity and resulting in delays and long queues which impact residents, businesses and commuters.
The corridor is one of the Midlands’ most important east-west connections and is at the heart of the ‘Logistics golden triangle’, bounded by the M1, M6 and M69. This is an area of the country from which drivers can reach 90% of the population within four hours, a very important location for logistics firms.
Integrated Transport Programme Lead, Swati Mittal said: “The A5 at Gibbet Hill is an area that we need to upgrade to unlock the growth the economy needs. At the moment the area is not fit for purpose, and we need to do more.
“An intervention in this area is necessary to facilitate growth and jobs and allow us to then look at other parts of the A5 in the years ahead. This is the major piece in the puzzle.”
Cllr Anthony Gillias, Chair of the A5 Partnership, said: “When traffic snarls up, we see rat-running through nearby smaller villages, to avoid queuing at the junction, creating noise and speeding issues for residents.
“The Gibbet Hill junction is now at critical mass and requires the most urgent attention to complement the proactive work of local councils and their visions of growth, new jobs and prosperity for local people.
“We need a solution once and for all to fix this issue for local residents and the national economy.”
Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “While the A5 is managed and maintained by National Highways, we fully support the work being done to secure improvements.
“As the highway authority, we know problems such as bridge strikes, congestion and accidents are having a detrimental impact on our residents throughout Hinckley as well as the villages in the south of the county.
“The A5 isn’t functioning, and we share the views of partners who are calling for improvements to be prioritised and additional funding made available.
“Securing and delivering improvements on the A5 also resonates with the core themes of our draft new Local Transport Plan, which include supporting growth and boosting the local economy, improving people’s health and reducing the impacts of traffic on our communities. The urgent need is there to improve the road.”
Rolls-Royce appoints chair of engine leasing joint venture
Chris Cholerton, Group President and member of the Rolls-Royce Executive Team has been appointed Chair of Alpha Partners Leasing Limited (APL), the holding company of its engine leasing business, Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance, and asset management business, Aether Asset Management.
Chris has deep aerospace sector experience having previously led Rolls-Royce’s Civil Aerospace and Defence divisions.
Chris Cholerton said: “I am delighted to join the Board of APL and look forward to working with the Board, CEO Bobby Janagan and the leadership team to support the growth and success of the business.”
Since 1989, Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance has played a vital role in helping Rolls-Royce’s customers access competitive finance for their spare engines. Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance was the first engine leasing business to obtain an investment grade credit rating and is the leading financier of Rolls-Royce spare engines.
More recently, APL launched its Aether Asset Management business, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, to better serve customers accessing short-term lease engines as part of Rolls-Royce’s TotalCare engine health and maintenance service.
Seamus Murphy, Rolls-Royce Director of Group Finance and Performance Management, has also been appointed to the APL Board.
Bobby Janagan, Chief Executive Officer of APL and Rolls-Royce & Partners Finance, said: “I am really looking forward to working closely with Chris and Seamus. They both bring significant experience, domain knowledge and expertise.”
APL is a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and GATX.
Aether Asset Management is the exclusive manager of Rolls-Royce’s central pool of engines supporting its TotalCare service.
Construction starts on new Community Diagnostic Centre
Construction work has begun at Walton Hospital, so patients across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire can utilise a ‘one-stop-shop’ Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), from Spring 2025.
The £5.2m development at the Walton Hospital Site is part of the wider £29.9m investment in CDCs across Derby and Derbyshire. Following an ecologist review, the site is now undergoing preparatory work, including the demolition of old plant rooms; paving the way for a state-of-the-art modular building.
Expecting to care for thousands of patients per year, the CDC will enable diagnostic services like blood tests, ultrasounds, MRI scans, CT scans and point-of-care testing to be delivered closer to patients’ homes and offer patients the ability to have multiple tests.
Once fully operational, the CDC at Walton is expected to complete thousands of diagnostic tests a year.
The demolition of the plant room and ground preparation is expected to take approximately ten days, with a custom-built modular build arriving on site in approximately 12 weeks.
Michelle Veitch, Chief Operating Officer at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Community Diagnostic Centres allow patients to access services often closer to home. This means that our patients will have even more choice about where and when they receive their tests, allowing a shorter turnaround of results and the start of any required treatment.
“This is the start of the journey to deliver another fantastic facility for our communities. We believe the CDCs will reduce wait times for diagnostic tests and provide a more convenient and efficient service for patients in Chesterfield, Derbyshire and surrounding areas.”
Dr Hal Spencer, Chief Executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As a Trust we are delighted to be able to expand our services further into the community. Our partnership with Derbyshire Community Healthcare Services NHS Foundation Trust means that we can provide diagnostic services from community bases across our region, like Walton Hospital and Whitworth Hospital.
“The purpose-built CDC at Walton Hospital will transform how we deliver diagnostic services to our patients throughout Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, where we anticipate around 5,260 tests being booked within the first month of opening.”
Dean Wallace, Chief Operating Officer at Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The purpose-built diagnostic facility at Walton Hospital will be a fantastic addition to health services in our community, allowing more patients to receive even more tests under one roof.
“I look forward to seeing progress on site and to the official opening of the community diagnostic centre next year. Thank you to everyone involved who is helping to make this much-anticipated facility a reality for the benefit of patients.”
East Midlands firms merge to tackle sustainability
Hillside Environmental Services and Infinitas Design, two East Midlands-based industry leaders in climate-change initiatives, have revealed a strategic merger which will enable the two firms to deliver on the ambitious growth strategy of its founders.
Forming HI Group, based out of Newark, this strategic merger marks a decade-long partnership and signifies a new era for sustainable solutions in the UK.
HI Group co-founder Russell Burton says: “Over the past decade, Hillside and Infinitas have collaborated on numerous projects, sharing a common vision for environmental sustainability.
“This merger is a testament to our seamless collaboration and shared commitment to creating environmentally sustainable solutions. By joining forces, we harness the unique expertise and knowledge of each team, transforming them into a more potent force for change.”
Co-founder Laura Bishop explains: “As HI Group, we are positioned to offer enhanced resources and comprehensive support to assist our clientele on their journey towards a greener future. This merger enhances our capacity to cater to our clients’ needs, providing them with the robust, innovative solutions they’ve come to expect from each of our teams.”
Founded in 2014 by Burton, initially supporting major consultants and technology providers, Hillside built its expertise through significant projects like the Nottingham City Council Heat Network and NHS Property Services estate decarbonisation.
By 2020, Hillside shifted to directly supporting clients, achieving successes in the Further Education sector by helping over 35 institutions with net zero strategies and energy retrofits.
Infinitas Design, also founded in 2014, saw Bishop’s team specialise in creating low carbon heating systems, particularly heat pumps and heat networks. Noteworthy projects include the Swaffham Prior heat pump district heat network and the Eden Project’s geothermal heat network.
Covering every phase of the sustainability journey, HI Group specialises in initial carbon auditing and strategy development, to funding knowledge and applications, through to hands-on implementation and ongoing performance monitoring.
Laura adds: “Together, as HI Group, we are poised to lead in the low-carbon solutions market, providing innovative, effective and financially viable sustainability solutions. This unified approach enhances our impact on environmental challenges, ensuring we continue to meet and exceed our clients’ sustainability goals.”
World’s first Fusion Energy Café takes next STEP
The world’s first Fusion Energy Café, that will fuel hungry minds as well as appetites, is taking its next steps by recruiting for education and catering providers now that its construction is underway.
Located at The Bridge Skills Hub in Worksop, the café will help to inspire the local community to generate an interest in the field of fusion energy and encourage aspirations to study or work in this sector.
The café will also help to provide training and volunteering opportunities in catering and hospitality and Bassetlaw District Council is now searching for a dynamic café operator and training provider to manage either or both aspects.
Cllr Julie Leigh, Cabinet Member for Identity and Place at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “The Fusion Café is an exciting and unique opportunity to get involved in a once in a generation project.
“It will bring the groundbreaking work taking place at West Burton closer to our communities and inspire young people who could one day work at the prototype fusion energy plant.
“It also opens up possibilities for people to work in the catering and hospitality industry as well as wider industries in the Science, Technology and Engineering sector.”
Work on the café’s kitchen, food prep area and seating are already underway ahead of a planned opening in the autumn.
Alongside the catering and hospitality training, the café will provide work placements for learners with a disability, those not in education, employment, or training (NEET), or those who are long term unemployed.
Funded by Bassetlaw District Council and the UK Atomic Energy Agency (UKAEA), in collaboration with North Notts Business Improvement District (NNBID), the café will also support upskilling and career opportunities as the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) prototype Fusion Energy plant is developed just a few miles away at West Burton.
UKAEA Head of Fusion Skills, Nick Walkden, said: “We are proud to be working with Bassetlaw District Council on this unique and exciting community-focused initiative in Worksop.
“The Fusion Energy Café will highlight the opportunities of fusion to local communities, including through the STEP Programme at West Burton, and push forwards our ambition to maximise the social benefits fusion has to offer.”
Sally Gillborn, Chief Executive at North Notts BID, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Bassetlaw District Council and the UKAEA in the creation of the Fusion Energy Café in Worksop.
“The café will also provide invaluable information on the opportunities and careers available at the STEP fusion site in West Burton as it is developed as a flagship plant in the fusion energy sector for generations to come.
“As part of the BIDs second-term vision, the café will offer hands-on experience, primarily to adults and young people with learning difficulties, whilst offering them inclusive training in catering and hospitality.
“As an all-encompassing initiative, the café builds on the BIDs commitment to upskill our communities, support local employers and ultimately to boost the local economy.”
£3m contribution set for Newark Southern Link Road
In a boost for local growth, Nottinghamshire County Council has given the green light to transfer £3m to Newark and Sherwood District Council (NSDC) to support the development of the Newark Southern Link Road scheme which will help unlock thousands of new homes and jobs in the area.
The new 5km road will connect the A1 at Balderton to the A46 at Farndon along the southern fringe of Newark and will help alleviate traffic pressures within the town, which has been a long-standing issue for residents and businesses.
The road will also support the planned improvements to the Strategic Route Network managed by National Highways, including the A46 and A1 near Newark-on-Trent and improve the cycling and walking infrastructure in the area, helping more people to choose active travel to reduce their carbon footprint.
As well as providing a new route for traffic, the Newark Southern Link Road will also pave the way for a major transformation of Newark and its surroundings with the construction of Middlebeck, a sustainable urban extension that will offer a range of benefits for the local community.
This includes up to 3,150 new homes and the potential to create up to 5,000 new job opportunities for the local area. The new development will also feature a new primary school, shops, restaurants, industry space, and 200 acres of green space for the community.
The County Council’s contribution of £3m will help secure an infrastructure package of £80m for the Newark Southern Link Road scheme, which has also received £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, £7m from the D2N2 LEP and £5m from Newark and Sherwood District Council.
The scheme is being delivered in phases by developer Urban&Civic. The first phase between Staple Lane and Bowbridge Lane has already been completed and the developers are currently on site at both ends of the route delivering the A46 to Bowbridge Lane element and linking the Southern Link Road from Staple Lane to the Great North Road just south of the A1 junction.
The final connection at the A1 end is expected to be completed by the end of November 2024, with the remaining works scheduled to be finished by Summer 2026.
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: “We are delighted to approve this funding contribution to the Newark Southern Link Road project, which will deliver significant benefits for the residents and businesses of Newark and Nottinghamshire.
“This project will help ease congestion, improve connectivity, and support economic growth and housing development in the area. It also demonstrates our commitment to the Government’s Levelling Up agenda and our ambitions to improve transport infrastructure and attract investment in Nottinghamshire.”
Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We are extremely grateful for the support from our colleagues at Nottinghamshire County Council to help deliver this significant project for Newark and surrounding communities.
“When finished, the road will help ease dreaded congestion and allow much-needed homes and employment opportunities to be delivered. It is a real testament to partnership working, spearheaded by the District Council, that we have reached this point.”
Once fully operational, the new road will become adopted highway and the County Council will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance.
Connected Data continues growth with appointment of customer success manager
Data driven technology company Connected Data has appointed Richard Mason as customer success manager.
Richard brings with him 30 years of working in the regulated banking and data industry for FTSE 100 businesses. Focused on the effective use of data and analytics, his knowledge and experience have helped him deliver positive outcomes for clients and their end customers.
His career to date includes one of the top five banks in the UK, NatWest. For seven years, Richard held a range of customer facing roles at NatWest, managing business and consumer relationships, enabling them to overcome problems, whilst introducing relevant new products and services that more appropriately met their needs.
Richard also worked for the global data company, Experian, for over 23 years, holding several different client facing roles and managing portfolios across a broad range of sectors. He successfully enabled high levels of customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty for Experian.
As a result, he developed a reputation for an ability to identify key needs and finding innovative and viable solutions to meet them. Richard enabled greater cost savings, efficiencies and customer engagement for Experian clients. As a result of his significant achievements, he was awarded two prestigious internal Experian wide awards.
In his new role, Richard will focus on nurturing and growing relationships with existing Connected Data clients. He will work closely with them to ensure that they continue to see the clear value and ROI enabled by Connected Data’s innovative approach.
Commenting on his new role, Richard said: “I am thrilled to be joining Connected Data. Not only is this a very exciting time in terms of expansion and growth for the company, but I’ve also previously worked with several members of the Connected Data team, so I know I’m joining a very passionate, experienced and customer focused team.
“Coupled with a unique and innovative market approach that has been making a real difference to organisations and their end customers, I was very much attracted to this role. I look forward to playing a key part in developing and evolving the relationships with Connected Data’s existing and prospective new clients.”
Commenting on Richard’s appointment, Anthony Sumner, director of data and analytics at Connected Data, said: “Connected Data’s customer base is growing quickly, and ensuring that they continue to see value and success by partnering with us is vital.
“As well as being known for our innovative approach in the market and the combined expertise of our team, we want to ensure that through the delivery of stellar customer experiences, we are building confidence at every touchpoint.
“Richard brings with him extensive experience across account and service management which are both fundamental in any customer success role. He has demonstrated strong values in terms of integrity and trust which are key within our organisation. We are looking forward to working with Richard to continue to drive positive outcomes for our customers and end consumers.”
Feedback gathered to help shape plans for Nottinghamshire’s County Hall
Following feedback gathered from residents, businesses and stakeholders, options are now being compiled to give Nottinghamshire’s County Hall a new lease of life.
More than 1,620 responded to a public survey which was open earlier this spring and shared their views on County Hall’s future use.
It came on the back of the County Council’s decision to move out of County Hall next year after facing spiralling costs to maintain and run the building. It has been the council’s headquarters since 1946.
The vast majority of feedback was positive and from people from Nottinghamshire. It backed the wider views of stakeholders that the main building is much-loved, should remain and has the potential to further regenerate and improve the area. 665 of survey responders were business owners, while 448 were from council employees (260 of which work at County Hall).
The main survey results reveal:
• The majority of people (85 per cent) want to see the main building – with its iconic green roof – remain in place.
• 86 per cent value the views of the site from across the river and from Loughborough Road.
• 70 per cent agree that the development of the existing car park is an opportunity for regeneration.
• 77 per cent would like to see improvements around the riverside.
• Almost two thirds of people agree that having more hospitality businesses, such as bars and restaurants, would be a good idea, while 28 per cent of responders don’t.
• 73 per cent think that the development of the site would help economic growth.
• A wide variety of uses for the site were suggested, but the most popular idea was that it could become a mixed-use development which included offering new homes.
As part of a wider engagement exercise, stakeholders such as heritage organisations, sport clubs, universities and other councils were contacted directly for their views.
Various developers and regeneration experts also gave their views as part of informal market testing, with most of them praising the site for its unique riverside location with the potential to be transformed into a range of uses.
An initial business case is now being put together which will be ready later this summer and will include options for the site. Once approved, a full business case is planned for later this autumn. The shortlisting of developers is earmarked for the New Year.
Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Ben Bradley thanked those who gave their feedback. He said: “It was vital we listened to what residents, businesses, partners and developers had to say as we know how important this iconic local landmark is to us all. It was encouraging that we had so much positive and useful feedback, so thank you.
“The vast majority who took the time to feed back to us agree with that this site has the potential to bring more jobs and investments to this area.
“The savings we’ll be making by not running and maintaining this building will of course mean we’ll have more money to spend on services, not to mention any potential sale.”
Nottinghamshire County Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, added: “What happens to this building affects a lot of people- so we’re really pleased with the feedback we’ve had. It is helping us come up with a business plan that will hopefully be welcomed by the majority.
“We’ll continue to engage with and update people as things progress, including making potential designs and artist impressions available as and when.
“We’ve also had separate feedback from developers who have confirmed what we always suspected, which is that there’ll be genuine interest if County Hall was to be put on the market. It’s good to know that having to retain and refurbish the main building wouldn’t put potential developers off either.
“Whatever the final decision is on this building, we will have to consider what makes best financial sense for the taxpayer and not take any unnecessary risks.”
Commercial, development, legal and technical advice will be sought as necessary for this complex project including using the expertise of Arc Partnership, the council’s property, design and consultancy partner. As part of this, Arc has commissioned property consultants Montagu Evans.
Corby Foodbank benefits from £20,000 donation from engineering and construction company
Corby Foodbank, which supports local people in food crisis, has benefitted from a £20,000 donation of food – the equivalent of 6,262kgs – from VolkerFitzpatrick, the engineering and construction company.
The donation was made as part of VolkerFitzpatrick’s commitment to engage with the community and leave a lasting legacy during the completion of two state-of-the-art units totalling £84 million at Magna Park in Corby – one of the UK’s largest logistics and distribution parks.
Corby Foodbank distributes three-day emergency, non-perishable food parcels to local people in food crisis and the provisions, provided monthly over the course of a year from VolkerFitzpatrick, included toiletries and food packs for the homeless.
David Rowell, project manager, VolkerFitzpatrick, said: “As a business, we wanted to have a positive impact during our work in Corby, so we did our research and came across Corby Foodbank. At the time, it was running at a growing monthly deficit, so there was a definite need for support.
“It was a big team effort where a team of 15 of us would take it in turns to visit the local cash and carry each month to buy the most-needed items from a list provided by Corby Foodbank.
“We would then load the van to deliver and unload the goods, and physically weigh them in at the Foodbank’s warehouse. If we were to win another project in the Corby area, we would be happy to support them again.”
Corby Foodbank manager, Martin Langford, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the donations made by VolkerFitzpatrick. We rely solely on donations from local people and businesses to help those in need.
“David and his team’s contributions have made a real difference to the people of Corby, and I can’t thank them enough for choosing us to help leave a lasting legacy in the work they have done in Corby itself.”
Alumasc outperforms UK construction markets
Alumasc, the Kettering-based sustainable building products, systems and solutions group, has hailed a “significant outperformance of UK construction markets” in a trading update for the year ended 30 June 2024.
The Group expects organic revenue growth for the year to be around 6.5%, outperforming the 2% decline in overall UK construction activity.
Underlying profit before tax (UPBT), meanwhile, is now expected to be at least £12.6m, ahead of current market forecasts and the prior year (£11.2m).
Paul Hooper, Chief Executive of Alumasc, said: “Against such a challenging commercial market backdrop, I am delighted with the Group’s strong performance, which is testament to our robust business model and the significant progress we have made in delivering against our strategic aims.
“We are optimistic that our growth strategy, with a focus on environmentally sustainable solutions, new product development, investment in capability and ongoing self-help initiatives will drive further strong growth in returns as market conditions improve.”
Raise your business’s profile at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024
Raise the profile of your business by submitting a nomination for Business Link’s prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024!
Celebrating the region’s property and construction industry, its people, and outstanding developments, the annual awards attract leaders from all over the region and are the perfect way for businesses to showcase the work they are completing and create more buzz.
Award categories include: most active estate 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, and overall winner.
A highlight in the business calendar, a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, will unveil the winners – an evening that will also provide plenty of opportunities to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours.
Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, 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.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- 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 for the event’s other awards)
Nominations end Thursday 5th September
Tickets can now be booked for the 2024 awards event, click here to secure yours.
Taking place in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October, from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, 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.
Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
Hot tub manufacturer appoints new global marketing director
Chesterfield-based Superior Wellness has appointed Richard Walker as their global marketing director. He joins them with over 15 years of international experience in on and offline marketing, above and below-the-line advertising, e-commerce, social media, influencer projects and celebrity endorsements.
Richard is a multi-award-winning international marketing director with a proven track record. Before joining Superior Wellness, he was the marketing director of Wren Kitchens and the Wren brand guardian since its inception in 2009. He drove marketing effectiveness and business expansion, contributing to double-digit growth in turnover each year.
Richard will play a pivotal role in driving awareness of the Superior Wellness brands to support the company’s expansion plans and long-term vision.
Rob Carlin, Managing Director, said: “We are thrilled that Richard has joined the Superior Wellness leadership team. His experience will be invaluable, he’s an outstanding addition to our existing team and I am looking forward to working closely with him.”
Richard Walker said: “I am incredibly excited to be joining the team at such a crucial point in Superior Wellness’s growth. There is a huge opportunity to play our part in the global wellness market – and great things are already happening.”
