Residential development land sold in Leicestershire
East Midlands SMEs drive rise in green growth activity
A new report shows that small and medium-sized enterprises in the East Midlands are playing a leading role in advancing green growth.
The annual Green Growth Trends in the East Midlands study, conducted by East Midlands Chamber and the University of Derby, reveals that almost half of the region’s firms are now deriving sales from green goods and services. This marks a 3% increase compared to last year.
Decarbonisation efforts have also grown, with adoption up by 2.7% since 2024. Nearly half of businesses, or 48.1%, report they are taking steps to cut carbon emissions. Medium sized companies are the most active, with seven in ten pursuing decarbonisation, followed by half of small firms and a third of micro businesses.
The findings highlight a significant shift over the past decade, with overall engagement in green growth having tripled since 2015. However, collaboration remains limited. Fewer than one in ten businesses are collaborating on green initiatives, and a third report that finding opportunities to collaborate is challenging.
The report also shows limited progress in nature-based solutions, with nearly half of firms never adopting such approaches. Meanwhile, the number of large businesses actively engaged in green growth decreased from 75% in 2024 to 40% in 2025.
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “The sizable lift in the number of firms addressing sustainability goals, actively pursuing green growth shows East Midlands businesses are bringing the journey toward net zero higher up their list of priorities. That is encouraging to see and something the region can be proud of.
“Smaller and medium sized firms have really stepped up and are embracing the opportunities presented by either having a good decarbonisation strategy in place or starting out and considering what that might look like. It’s never too late to get going with approaches to sustainability so businesses are clearly becoming more aware of the benefits, such as boosting reputation, attracting talent to work for them, reduction of energy costs and preparing for a cleaner future.”
East Midlands law firms strengthen national standing in Legal 500 rankings
The latest edition of The Legal 500 UK has placed East Midlands firms among the strongest performers in the national legal sector, with corporate expansion, sector-specific pressures, and high-profile mergers shaping the region’s profile.
The 2026 guide covers nearly 1,200 firms and more than 13,000 individuals, highlighting developments in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, and Northampton. It comes after a year marked by market turbulence following the change of government in 2024 and subsequent policy shifts. Transaction activity surged in the run-up to the election but slowed as businesses adjusted to the Autumn Budget. Agricultural law has been particularly active, with changes to reliefs and inheritance tax driving demand for advisory work and disputes. Litigation has increased more broadly, reflecting economic pressures and a rise in landlord and tenant cases.
Freeths expanded both team and client base, while national operators such as Eversheds Sutherland and Shakespeare Martineau maintained a significant presence. Regional independents, including BHW Solicitors and Lawson West, continue to be recognised for specialisms in corporate and employment law. Consolidation has also reshaped the landscape, with Wilkin Chapman merging with Rollits in April 2025 and Flint Bishop acquiring Lupton Fawcett in September.
Across 30 practice areas, Shakespeare Martineau secured 21 rankings, with Browne Jacobson, Freeths and Nelsons close behind at 20 each, and Howes Percival following with 17. Freeths also leads in lawyer recognition with 39 individuals listed. The new guide introduces a comparison tool allowing direct benchmarking of firms across rankings, casework and lawyer accolades.
Leicester printing firm to embark on next chapter of growth following MBO
McLaren Construction Midlands and North strengthens leadership team
Buyer found for Koi carp business
Property professionals will gather tonight for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025!
Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
Architects of the Year – sponsored by Roy Geddes Bricks Church Lukas Morrison Design Pelham Architects Contractor of the Year – sponsored by EMEC Ecology Goodward Construction Miller Knight Winvic Construction Developer of the Year – sponsored by Devello Clowes Developments St James Securities Vistry East Midlands Most Active Agent – sponsored by Knapton Wright Salloway Property Consultants OMEETO Rigby & Co Deal of the Year – sponsored by Frank Key Built-to-rent deal at next phase of Derby Castleward regeneration – Lovell, Placefirst Vaillant Live deal – St James Securities Top Wighay deal – Vistry East Midlands Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Build Manager Abbey Central – Stagfield Group & Peveril Homes Riber Castle – StudioTwenty Prospect Place – TUNE Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by Global HSE Group Sherwood Observatory – G F Tomlinson Canopy, Leicester – Henry Brothers Homefield College SEND Building – Scope Construction Vaillant Live – St James Securities Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Evo Corby – PBBE Corby BV, PineBridge Rykneld Homes North East Derbyshire retrofit – Coactivation Nottingham College Construction Skills Centre (CSC) and The Gateway – G F Tomlinson Abbey Central – Stagfield Group & Peveril Homes Excellence in Design – sponsored by Konsileo Loughborough University DigiLabs Teaching Space – APSS Sutton on Sea Colonnade and Pleasure Gardens – G F Tomlinson Vaillant Live – St James Securities Responsible Business – sponsored by Wright Vigar Scope Construction G F Tomlinson Morrison Design The Overall Winner, sponsored by SEV, will also be announced at the ceremony, the winner of which will be awarded a grand prize – a year of marketing/publicity with Business Link worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of their choice.The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham. Limited parking available onsite with additional free parking at Notts Sports Ground. Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
£21.5m funding backs Nottingham student accommodation scheme
Arc & Co. and Hampshire Trust Bank have finalised a £21.5 million development facility to deliver a 210-bed purpose-built student accommodation project in central Nottingham.
The funding package has been structured and arranged by Arc & Co., with Hampshire Trust Bank providing the finance. Construction is already under way and the scheme is scheduled for completion in time for the 2027 student intake.
The project is entering a market where student demand in Nottingham continues to exceed available supply. Both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University remain major draws for a growing student population, creating consistent pressure on accommodation capacity.
Philip Kay, Director at Arc & Co, said: “PBSA remains a highly active sector for Arc & Co., and we were very pleased to support the sponsor on this important Nottingham scheme.
“Our role was to structure and arrange a funding solution that aligned with the developer’s requirements, and HTB proved to be an excellent partner throughout the process. Their ability to navigate the complexities of a transaction of this scale and deliver with certainty made them the right lender for this project.”
For Hampshire Trust Bank, the transaction reinforces its activity in the student housing sector, one of the more resilient segments of the regional property market. It also adds to the bank’s expanding portfolio of complex development finance projects.
Arc & Co. has been active across the UK this year, closing a series of large funding deals exceeding £20 million each. These include a £26 million bridging loan for a prime London residential property, a £36 million gross development value student accommodation scheme in London, and a £59 million loan secured against a hotel portfolio.
Acrisure expands UK broking brand with latest rebrands
Acrisure has continued its UK integration programme with the rebrand of two long-established brokerages, Hine Chartered Insurance Brokers in Manchester and CRK Commercial Insurance Services in the Midlands. Both now trade under the Acrisure name.
The move is part of a wider strategy to consolidate a growing number of acquisitions into a single, unified platform. Other firms that have already transitioned include Sutton Winson, Affinity Brokers, FinCred, and Building and Land Guarantees. Acrisure aims to streamline operations and strengthen its market position in the UK through this process.
Hine, a Chartered insurance broker with more than four decades in the market, becomes the first Acrisure-acquired brokerage in Northern England to adopt the global brand. It has built a reputation for specialist risk management and insurance services for both business and private clients.
CRK, founded in 2000, is known for its commercial insurance expertise in manufacturing and engineering. It joins Building and Land Guarantees as Acrisure’s second rebranded brokerage in the Midlands.
Acrisure’s UK network now spans 19 offices, employing more than 800 staff across the country. The business is supported by operations including Acrisure Re, Acrisure London Wholesale, three Managing General Agents, and the Eleven Network. It also maintains partnerships in sport and the community, notably with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and The Blaze women’s cricket team.
Acquisition sees Ideagen add specialised chemical management to EHS portfolio
Defence estate modernisation moves forward in East Midlands
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed a £237 million contract with Bovis Construction Limited to modernise facilities at Kendrew Barracks and Bulwell Army Reserve Centre. The programme is part of the £5.1 billion Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio, which is focused on upgrading infrastructure across the UK.
At Kendrew Barracks, work will include the development of new Single Living Accommodation for junior ranks, along with updated regimental offices, catering, and medical facilities. Supporting infrastructure will also be delivered to meet long-term operational needs.
Bulwell Army Reserve Centre will see investment in unit offices, secure storage, and a dedicated band practice facility. Together, the projects are designed to enhance the daily working and training environment of military personnel.
Major General AJ Smith CBE, Director of Basing and Infrastructure said: “This investment in new and improved infrastructure at Kendrew Barracks and Bulwell Army Reserve Centre will deliver significant and long-lasting benefits for our people. The project will improve quality of life for both Regular and Reserve personnel, while supporting military capability and delivering a more modern, sustainable estate.”
The investment also underpins wider estate restructuring. Kendrew Barracks is due to become the new base for 36 Engineer Regiment, relocating from Maidstone. Additional unit relocations from Grantham, Telford, and Nottingham are expected, enabling the disposal of several older sites.
Design and development work is ongoing, with construction scheduled to begin in autumn 2026. The scheme will create modern, sustainable facilities intended to support operational effectiveness and improve quality of life for both Regular and Reserve forces.
Keepmoat strengthens East Midlands division with new head of land & partnerships
Barwood Capital launches virtual cycle challenge for Baby Basics Northampton
Cooper Parry snaps up cyber security firm
Lincolnshire fresh produce supplier makes managing director appointment
Nottingham spin-out raises £2m for gene-editing tool
East Midlands pubs face mass closures without business rates relief
More than 200 pubs in the East Midlands risk closure next year unless the Government intervenes to reduce business rates. Research from the Centre for Economic and Business Research, commissioned by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), indicates 226 pubs could shut, threatening 1,486 jobs.
The sector is set to face a significant cost increase in 2026 due to the withdrawal of business rates relief and the revaluation of business properties. Without action, pubs’ business rates bills could rise by more than 50%, exacerbating existing financial pressures.
Pubs currently contribute 2.1% of the UK’s Business Rates bill despite generating only 0.4% of total turnover. At the average ratio, their bill would be £130 million rather than £637 million, meaning the sector overpays by £507 million annually.
The BBPA projects that, without reform, the UK could lose 2,000 pubs next year, affecting local economies and employment. A proposed 20p reduction in the pound for pubs could prevent almost 40% of closures, safeguarding 5,400 jobs and adding nearly £100 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy.
Alongside business rates reform, the sector highlights the need for reductions in beer duty, employment cost relief, and a review of packaging expenses. The BBPA argues these measures are achievable without direct cost to the Government and are crucial to preserving pubs as economic and social assets.
UK hotel investment surpasses £1 billion in Q3 as single assets dominate
UK hotel investment totalled an estimated £1.04 billion in Q3 2025, marking a 28% increase year-on-year, according to Savills. The growth was primarily driven by single asset transactions, which accounted for 92% of activity and rose almost 60% above the 10-year Q3 average, despite overall investment volumes remaining slightly below long-term trends.
London remained the primary market, with £697 million in transactions, up 42% from the previous year. Prime yields for franchise hotels in the capital tightened by 25 basis points compared with H1 2024, reflecting continued investor interest.
Domestic owner-operators led the market in 2025, representing 45% of total acquisitions at £1.2 billion, a 4% increase on 2024 and 77% above the 10-year average. International asset managers returned to the sector, acquiring £734 million of hotels in the first nine months, with global buyers accounting for 60% and recording more than a tenfold year-on-year rise. UK pension funds also increased their activity, reaching £299 million, a 31% increase from 2024, as long-term sector confidence grew.
Regional markets saw sharp rises, with Scotland achieving £316 million YTD (+85%), the South West £180 million (+360%), and the West Midlands £256 million (+310%). Regional investment totalled £1.3 billion for the year to date, more than double 2024 levels.
David Kellet, Head of Hotel Capital Markets EMEA at Savills, says, “While the first half of the year was defined by operational and investor uncertainty in the UK hotel market, sentiment has stabilised through Q3 and we have seen over £1 billion of deals closed – a marked increase from 2024. The strength and resilience of the single asset market stands out, with single assets making up over 90% of deal volumes in the quarter. We expect the single asset market to remain robust whilst also anticipating more larger portfolios to transact in 2026. We look forward to what’s ahead for the UK hotel market.”
Toyota and NWSLC address engineering skills gap through apprenticeships
Toyota Material Handling UK and North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) have launched a targeted programme to develop skilled engineering professionals and encourage greater female participation in technical roles.
The Forklift Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship recruits 20–25 candidates annually for a three-year programme combining on-campus learning with practical experience at distribution centres and in the field with Toyota’s mobile technicians. Apprentices train using Toyota equipment and receive guidance from experienced staff.
The initiative creates a steady pipeline of technicians for Toyota, with many former apprentices advancing into senior engineering and managerial positions. Mark Metcalfe, Senior Manager, Technical Operations at Toyota Material Handling UK, said: “An apprentice is a blank page – a great opportunity to shape someone’s future. Several of our apprentice programme alumni are now in high-level positions, and it’s fantastic to see more women entering our programme and doing really well.”
Toyota Material Handling UK, part of Toyota Industries Corporation, employs more than 1,000 people in the UK and maintains a global reputation for innovation, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Nottingham Venues shortlisted for two Nottinghamshire Tourism awards
