Neupulse secures funding to advance world’s first wearable device to tackle Tourettes Syndrome
Local housebuilder set to bring 93 new homes to Nottingham
A local housebuilder is set to bring 93 homes to Fairham, in Nottingham.
Work is set to begin for Redrow East Midlands, who will be joining the Fairham scheme with planning now officially granted by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
Dovecote Grange will include a mix of private and affordable homes for those in the community, including a mix of three, four and five bedrooms on offer from the housebuilder’s Heritage Collection.
The properties will also be part of Redrow’s new Eco Electric generation, featuring air source heat pumps and underfloor heating as standard – designed to significantly reduce energy bills.
Dovecote Grange will form part of the wider 606-acre Fairham site, which will see a new neighbourhood created in the region, bringing new homes, employment opportunities, as well as a new sense community to this area of Nottingham. There will be shared foot and cycling paths, £100m invested in new infrastructure and 200 acres of open space as part of the scheme.
Ryan O’Sullivan, Sales Director at Redrow East Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to have been granted planning permission for this exciting new development. Dovecote Grange will provide much-needed new homes in the area and we’re thrilled to become part of the wider Fairham development.
“Here at Redrow East Midlands, we’re passionate about prioritising sustainability, which is why each home we build will be part of our Eco Electric generation, future proofed with air source heat pumps, underfloor heating and improved insulation.
“We anticipate homes will be incredibly popular, with lots of people looking to Fairham as a vibrant new community with positive prospects for the local area. Now that work is set to begin on site, we’d encourage those looking to purchase a home to register their interest as soon as possible.”
Construction underway on new further and higher education campus in Skegness
The best ways to support and develop your employees this year
- Encourage learning at all levels: Lead by example. Management should actively engage in learning opportunities, demonstrating the value placed on continuous personal and professional development.
- Personalise learning pathways: Recognise that employees have varied learning styles and career aspirations. Work with them to create personalised learning plans that align with their goals and the needs of the business.
- Leverage technology: Utilise online platforms and e-learning tools to provide flexible, accessible learning opportunities. Many platforms offer courses ranging from technical skills to leadership development.
- Assess needs regularly: Conduct regular skills audits and consult with employees to identify training needs within your team. This ensures that training initiatives are targeted and relevant.
- Diverse training methods: Incorporate a mix of training methods to cater to different learning preferences. This might include in-person workshops, online courses, webinars, and peer-to-peer learning. For example, if you’re looking for training for the leaders in your company, look for leadership skills training that suits different stages. Impact Factory can tailor their skills courses to suit your needs.
- Measure impact: Evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes by measuring improvements in performance and feedback from participants. This can help refine future training initiatives and demonstrate ROI to stakeholders.
- Regular check-ins: Don’t wait for annual reviews to provide feedback. Regular one-to-ones offer timely insights into performance and development needs, fostering a more responsive and dynamic growth environment.
- Focus on development: Frame feedback in terms of development opportunities. Discuss actionable steps for improvement and offer support in achieving these goals.
- Create a two-way dialogue: Encourage employees to share their perspectives and aspirations. This not only helps tailor development efforts but also reinforces their role as active participants in their growth journey.
- Formalise mentorship programs: Establish structured mentorship programs that pair less experienced employees with seasoned professionals. Provide guidelines and training for mentors to ensure they are prepared to offer valuable support.
- Offer professional coaching: Consider investing in professional coaching for high-potential employees. Coaches can work with individuals on specific development areas, leadership skills, or career progression plans.
- Promote peer learning: Encourage informal mentorship and peer learning opportunities within teams. Sharing knowledge and experiences can foster a supportive learning environment and enhance team collaboration.
- Flexible working arrangements: Offer flexible working options, such as remote work, flexible hours, and compressed workweeks. These arrangements can help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities more effectively.
- Encourage time off: Promote a culture that values taking time off for rest and rejuvenation. Ensure that employees feel comfortable taking their full entitlement of annual leave without fear of falling behind or being perceived as less committed.
- Provide resources for well-being: Offer access to well-being resources, such as employee assistance programmes, mindfulness sessions, or fitness memberships. Supporting employees’ physical and mental health contributes to a more positive and productive work environment.
- Career pathing: Work with employees to understand their career aspirations and identify potential paths within the organisation. Transparent discussions about career progression can motivate employees to develop the skills needed for future roles.
- Skill-based assignments: Encourage participation in cross-functional projects or task forces. These opportunities allow employees to apply their skills in new contexts and learn from colleagues in different areas of the business.
- Transparent job postings: Ensure internal job openings are widely communicated. Providing clear information about the skills and experiences required for each role can help employees identify development areas and apply for positions that align with their career goals.
Bassetlaw secures £20m levelling up boost
- £14m to redevelop old print rooms in Worksop, a vacant retail unit in Priory Shopping centre and a derelict site in Harworth & Bircotes. This will help create a new education centre, NHS health and wellbeing centre, and community hub.
- £3m for streetscaping in Retford, Worksop and Tuxford town centres, helping to improve access and tackle anti-social behaviour.
- £1.5m for Worksop to renovate derelict land and create a community farm shop.
- £1m to redevelop Retford Town Hall into a new community space, including a banking hub and £150,000 for investment in Manton Children’s centre in Worksop for use as a Family Hub whose services will support local families.
- £120k of funding to the Council to support them in their local skills scoping work to ensure people can make use of the economic opportunities that STEP will bring and strategic visioning for the arrival of STEP.
- £100k of funding for studies to help improve the town centres of Bassetlaw, which will further prepare the town and surrounding areas for the arrival of STEP.
Family run motor group acquires Burton car retailer
Recycling initiative launched to transform lives of homeless people
A new programme, devised by the charity Framework, can help businesses recycle domestic or office furniture, electrical appliances, fixtures and fittings and, at the same time, transform the lives of homeless people.
Framework provides supported accommodation for around 3,000 homeless people each year across Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Every year Framework furnishes and equips around 600 units of accommodation – mostly one-bed flats – at an annual cost of £660,000.
The Furnishing Futures scheme aims to help two types of business. It offers a solution for producers, suppliers and retailers seeking to dispose of dead stock including furniture, electrical appliances, kitchenware, soft furnishing and bedding. The scheme is also aimed at businesses wishing to recycle and repurpose items following a refurbishment.
Furnishing Futures is designed to accept either regular or one-off donations. Every donation will receive an impact report to help the business demonstrate the resulting social and environmental impact – outlining the number of people helped and the number of items diverted from landfill. This information can be used to show progress towards achieving Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals.
Nottingham’s Lace Market Hotel has recently become the first donor to the new Furnishing Futures scheme with the provision of beds, desks and chairs. Area Sales Manager Richard Adamson said: “We are proud to have supported Framework’s Furnishing Futures initiative, contributing to their mission to end homelessness and tackle disadvantage by helping to furnish properties for local people experiencing homelessness.
“This initiative is ideal for hotels like ours as we are currently going through a soft refurb. Instead of disposing of these items in a less environmentally- and socially-conscious way, we wanted to ensure our old furniture could help give a new lease of life to someone who needs it.
“We are big believers in helping make our local community a safer, cleaner and more comfortable place for everyone. By working in partnership with Framework we are delighted to have been able to do just that and we would urge other hotels and businesses to consider doing the same.”
Matt Cooke, the Framework fundraiser managing the scheme, says: “The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that, in 2020, the UK generated approximately 28 million tonnes of commercial waste, much of which was incinerated or sent to landfill.
“That waste will have included many thousands of items of hard and soft furnishings – often in great condition or still brand new – that could have had a new lease of life.
“What many producers, suppliers and retailers might consider ‘dead stock’ is seen by charities like Framework as something that can help build new lives.
“We want to highlight the opportunity to businesses who have a problem disposing of high-quality, ex-display, returned or end-of-line hard or soft furnishings, electrical appliances, kitchenware and bedding.
“In addition, Furnishing Futures is relevant to businesses who are contemplating refurbishment and are looking for a disposal solution that is both cost-free and demonstrates their sense of social and environmental responsibility. We are very grateful to the management at the Lace Market Hotel in Nottingham who have recently provided proof of concept by becoming our first Furnishing Futures donor.
“We invite businesses to join forces with Framework through our Furnishing Futures initiative and donate their stock to give it – and the people we support – a new lease of life.
“Our charity faces immense cost-of-living pressures – for instance our annual fuel bill rose by 81% in the past year meaning there was £1.3m less to spend on supporting people in need. By saving us the cost of purchasing new goods, businesses participating in Furnishing Futures will enable us to divert similarly much-needed resources to support the growing number of people seeking our support in these difficult times.
“Furnishing Futures offers a win for businesses; it is also a win for Framework and the people we support, and it’s definitely a win for the environment!
“So we look forward to working with interested business partners to make a difference together through this exciting and innovative project.”
To turn an empty house or flat into a welcoming home for someone who has been experiencing homelessness the items needed by Framework include:
-
Furniture: 2-seater sofas, dining tables and chairs, coffee tables, bedside tables, wardrobes, chests of drawers and single bed frames
-
Electrical appliances: kettles, toasters, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, TVs, smartphones with chargers, laptops with chargers
-
Kitchenware: cutlery, dining sets (bowls, plates, mugs), cooking utensils, cooking pans, oven trays
-
Bedding: mattresses, sheets, duvets and covers, pillows and cases
-
Furnishings such as roller blinds, lamps and lampshades.
Harris Lamb appoints principal ecologist
Property consultancy Harris Lamb has appointed a principal ecologist to its CIEEM-accredited environmental department to meet the growing demand for its services.
Susan Sweetman joins from Wakefield Council and brings more than 15 years experience in key ecological roles throughout the UK to the business, including positions at Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.
Susan, who has an Honours degree in Zoology from the University of Edinburgh and a master’s degree in Conservation and Biodiversity from the University of Leeds, has a particular passion for botany and nature-based solutions.
Dr Holly Smith, head of Harris Lamb’s Environmental department, said: “We are delighted to welcome Susan to our team, where, thanks to her enthusiasm and extensive experience within the field, she will be a huge asset.
“Susan brings a diverse range of skills to the business, including a track record of conducting ecological appraisals, protected species surveys, Environmental Impact Assessments and Biodiversity Net Gain calculations and is also experienced in providing advice on ecological legislation, policy and knowledge to clients, community groups, landowners, planners and developers.
“Her understanding and confidence in explaining the risks to the environment and penalties faced by stakeholders are essential skills that will be of huge benefit to our clients,” added Holly.
Susan has a passion for protected species, having obtained a Natural England great crested newt survey licence and gained a wealth of experience carrying out bat surveys on top of voluntary work conducted with the Derbyshire Bat Group, in addition to pursuing further experience of carrying out surveys for otter, water vole and white-clawed crayfish.
Susan said: “I was attracted to Harris Lamb due to its excellent reputation for practising ecology within the commercial sector, and I welcomed the opportunity to continue to work with a diverse range of stakeholders to advise on and oversee ecological projects and further their understanding of the importance of sustainability.
“I am passionate about protecting species and habitats and helping them to thrive and am looking forward to providing additional ecological expertise to the commercial and residential developments, and to helping to bring these to fruition while both protecting and enhancing wildlife and biodiversity throughout the country.”
Steve prepares to sleep under the stars to raise money for veterans experiencing homelessness and hardship
University of Leicester-led training centre to fuse AI into metals industry
New tenants take on organic farm on Paget Estate
The historic Paget Estate has attracted new tenants for Hungary Lane Farm, which will become the sixth organic farm on the 2,500-acre estate located on the Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire border.
Loughborough based specialist land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie promoted the farm, interviewed applicants and arranged the farm business tenancy agreement on behalf of the landowner, Joanna Herbert-Stepney.
The new tenants are Amy and Lance Charity, who have taken on a twenty-five-year tenancy for the farm. Both come from a family of farmers and previously leased a council farm holding.
Hungary Lane Farm is a 275 acre formally biodynamic, arable and livestock farm, including a four-bedroom farmhouse and modern and traditional farm buildings that will be used to create a diverse range of organic farming and craft activities.
Amy and Lance have a flock of 200 pedigree polled Dorset sheep, a breed which has the unique ability to lamb out of season in September. A proportion of lamb will be sold to Waitrose as part of the Dorset scheme and will provide a year-round supply of 100% British lamb.
Commenting on their plans for the farm, Amy Charity said: “This is an exciting leap for us to move with our young family. As well as the continuing as an organic arable farm, the new farm shop will stock our own organic produce from our farm and market garden, including eggs, lamb and eventually pork. We also have a food prep kitchen ‘Hungary Lane Bakes’ which will launch soon offering brownies, bakes and cookie slices.”
Lance Charity added: “We aren’t here to grow to astronomical levels, we are here to supply and support our local community, the villages, towns and cities around us. Our focus is on producing good quality locally grown food that is 100% traceable. We are very grateful to have this excellent opportunity to become part of the Paget Estate. The landowner, Joanna Herbert-Stepney is hugely supportive of organic farming principles and has been extremely welcoming, taking a keen interest in our story and farming practices.”
Lance and Amy are committed to the principles of regenerative agriculture, looking after soils and increasing biodiversity. At Hungary Lane Farm they plan to continue bi-cropping, which means growing a spring crop legume, alongside wheat and will supply local mills with both heritage and more commercial wheats.
Alongside the farm, Lance and Amy also run an embroidery business called ‘Needle in a Haystack’ which already has a full order book offering personalised workwear to local businesses, schools and clubs.
As Managing Agents for the Paget Estate, Mather Jamie has previously re-let Home Farm and Cedars Farm as organic ventures within the last five years. Sam Woodhouse, Rural Surveyor, said: “As experienced, pro-active organic farmers, this is a great opportunity for Lance and Amy to develop a successful organic farming business, whilst conserving the natural habitat and landscape.
“After visiting them at their previous small holding and seeing their hard work and passion for their farming business, we had no doubt that they would be the ideal tenants for Hungary Lane Farm.”
Looking to the future there are plans to have farm opens days for visiting schools and community groups as well as improving public footpaths so more people can enjoy the countryside which will hopefully also increase footfall to the farm’s many enterprises.
Electric vehicle scheme to bring thousands of jobs to Midlands Consortiums
New workplace designer joins Blueprint Interiors
Assembly Rooms plans unveiled for Derby’s new cultural heart
Planning permission granted for Louth residential development
Planning permission has been granted to developer Charterpoint and housebuilder Snape Properties for a 90-home residential development in Louth.
It marks the sixth and final phase of the popular Westfield Park scheme masterminded by Charterpoint.
The developer has now sold the 12-acre site off Daisy Way to Snape Properties – paving the way for work to get under way on the final 90 homes.
Once these have been delivered, the 47-acre site will be complete – featuring a total of 330 homes, plus Meadows Park Care Home.
Adrian Goose, CEO of Charterpoint, said: “Westfield Park has developed into a flourishing community and this additional piece of land will facilitate the natural extension of it. It is the sixth and final phase of a residential scheme that we are very proud to have masterminded.
“The site off Daisy Way will provide 90 much-needed homes for the Louth area, and we are delighted that East Lindsey District Council has granted full planning permission for the scheme, which allows building work to start.”
The 90 properties include a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, plus a children’s play area, surface water attenuation ponds, wildflower meadows, sustainable drainage and an amenity lawn for communal informal recreation.
The site, which is bounded by the A16 Louth bypass to the north west and by Westfield Park to the south and east, will include green infrastructure to provide an attractive quality environment for residents and visitors with consideration given to access for pedestrians and cyclists, enhancement of wildlife biodiversity, sustainable drainage solutions and promotion of use of outdoor spaces for improved mental and physical health and well-being.
Open water, swales and ditches are also included as part of the sustainable drainage strategy to contribute to local biodiversity.
Nottingham MedTech company raises £8.4m
Think there’s no such thing as bad publicity? Trust me, it’s your funeral: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Investment in engineering and physical sciences training to enable Loughborough to build green hydrogen workforce of the future
Loughborough University is set to launch a new research training facility that will help accelerate the affordability, scalability and sustainability of green hydrogen.
Almost 1 in 4 deals in Midlands is cross-border
Cross-border deals accounted for almost one in four mergers and acquisitions in the Midlands during 2023, compared to almost one in three the previous year, according to research by business advisory firm Dow Schofield Watts (DSW).
DSW’s figures show that while the total number of deals involving Midlands companies fell by 9% last year to 513, the number of cross-border transactions declined much faster, falling by 27% to 119. As a result, cross-border deals accounted for 23% of all transactions in 2023, compared to 29% the previous year.
Almost two-thirds of international deals in 2023 were acquisitions by overseas companies and they proved slightly more resilient than overseas acquisitions by Midlands companies.
DSW was the founder of the international advisory network Pandea Global M&A, which helped to compile the figures. Harry Walker, a Partner in DSW’s Midlands corporate finance team, said: “The wider macroeconomic environment has had a significant impact on cross-border M&A activity as a whole, with declining market confidence throughout 2023.
“While Sterling’s weakness against the dollar may have had some impact on overseas acquisitions by Midlands companies, activity by overseas buyers has held up slightly better. Clearly the region remains a very attractive marketplace for them, in particular for those from the US.
“As yet the impact of the National Security and Investment Act, which was introduced in 2022 and allows the UK government to scrutinise and block foreign takeovers, isn’t clear in terms of deal volumes. However the novelty of this regime and its broad scope, covering around 17 sectors, has presented challenges on some deals throughout 2022 and 2023.
“While there are still headwinds in existence this year, with interest rates expected to fall, there should be an uplift in market confidence which will drive increased cross-border activity throughout 2024 as companies look to grow in the improved economic environment.”
In the UK as a whole, US companies were by far the most active foreign buyers in 2023 and responsible for over a third of all overseas acquisitions, followed by buyers from Sweden, Ireland, France, Germany and Netherlands. The US was also the most popular destination for UK companies acquiring overseas, followed by Ireland, Australia, Germany, Netherlands and Canada.
DSW’s figures, which were compiled using data from Mergermarket, show that technology, healthcare and ESG were key trends in cross-border deals during 2023.
Callum Sellar, a corporate finance specialist with DSW and a board member of Pandea Global M&A, added: “Technological disruption, the rise of artificial intelligence and climate change are all helping to shape the global deals market.
“The technology sector was the most active in terms of investment and completed deals and expected to produce the highest level of growth in the year ahead. Meanwhile in the healthcare sector, global trends in the wake of the pandemic and our evolving healthcare needs are driving investment.
“ESG is another trend worthy of note. The energy transition continues to drive business transformation in energy and utilities, and for businesses in general, ESG credentials are seen as increasingly important by potential buyers.
“Overall, global trends suggest 2024 will see an increase in M&A activity. There is clear pent-up demand from investors and with interest rates expected to stabilise, coupled with falling inflation, predictions for 2024 point towards a more positive outlook for the year ahead.”
Notable inbound acquisitions during 2023 included Thermo Fisher Scientific’s £2.3bn acquisition of Birmingham medical diagnostics manufacturer The Binding Site Group and that of Nottingham-based Pendragon Vehicle Management by US company Lithia Motors for £367m.
Nottingham-based investigation tech firm appoints new chair
Nottingham-based investigation tech firm, Altia, has appointed a new chair as the company looks to strengthen its growth plans throughout 2024 and beyond.
Stuart Warriner, who holds over 35 years of corporate finance experience, will join Altia as chair this month, succeeding Simon Hook, who had held the position since 2020.
The move comes as Altia looks to strengthen its senior leadership team with a view to delivering on its strategy which will further cement its position as a leading provider of investigation software.
A specialist in its field for almost 30 years, Altia creates intelligence and investigation software to assist law enforcement agencies, government departments, and private sector businesses.
Stuart joins Altia with an impressive portfolio of chair and non-executive director (NED) roles, and currently serves as chair at Mortgage and Surveying Services Limited and Blue-i Group.
He is also a NED at Alternative Investment Market (AIM) listed The Pebble Group plc and at the privately owned Lodestone Communications, as well as being a senior advisor to Houlihan Lokey.
Joining Altia, Stuart’s board roles will be complemented by his extensive corporate finance background, having served as a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and as a Managing Director at GCA Altium.
As chair, Stuart will support the company’s senior leadership team in implementing growth across the company, leveraging his expertise in market analysis and strategic planning.
Rob Sinclair, CEO, Altia, said: “Stuart’s experience in corporate finance and his successful track record across various leadership roles is simply second to none. He will be an invaluable addition to Altia.
“Stuart’s expert guidance will be vital as we continue to deliver on our growth plans which will further position the company as the UK’s leading investigation software provider.
“At Altia we want to deliver the best possible products and service, as well as developing a culture which empowers all our employees to thrive. That means we must seek out the best and Stuart ticks all the boxes as we look to continue our ambitious plans moving forward.”
Stuart Warriner said: “Altia is top of its class when it comes to delivering intelligence and investigation software solutions. That, mingled with their ambition to always be the best in everything they do, presented a hugely exciting prospect to me.
“Naturally, I’m delighted to join Altia, and I look forward to being a part of driving the company forward towards its goals. Altia has a remarkable reputation in its field, and I’m looking forward to further building upon this and contribute to its ongoing success.”
