The East Midlands Freeport has generated 862 jobs across distribution and transport companies at East Midlands Airport and its surrounding industrial cluster. The initiative forms part of a wider £9 billion project aimed at creating 28,000 roles over six years.

The freeport covers three key sites: Castle Donington airport, Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, and a rail-linked business park next to Toyota’s Derbyshire plant. Companies operating within the East Midlands Gateway tax zone, including Maersk, CEVA, and Maritime Transport, have benefited from the freeport’s incentives.

Investment in the sites has reached £150 million since the project began in March 2023. The freeport provides business support measures such as business rates relief, Employer National Insurance contributions relief, and Stamp Duty Land Tax relief to attract investment.

The initiative is structured as a non-profit partnership between local authorities, landowners, and private sector organisations. Its focus is to develop globally competitive hubs in advanced manufacturing, logistics, and low-carbon energy while driving economic growth across the East Midlands.

German food company Ditsch has expanded its UK operations by acquiring WorldBake Ltd, a Kettering-based frozen baked goods supplier. WorldBake serves wholesale, retail, and manufacturing clients, including major brands such as M&S and Starbucks.

The acquisition brings WorldBake’s operations and staff under Ditsch UK Ltd, a new subsidiary created to strengthen the company’s presence across the UK and Ireland. Peter Hedges remains as managing director, and the business will continue to operate independently, maintaining its existing processes and customer relationships.

The move positions Ditsch to leverage its expertise alongside WorldBake’s local market knowledge. The combined operations aim to support new product development, enhance market insights, and reinforce services to business clients.

Charnwood Campus has reopened 9,417m² of advanced laboratory and office space following a £4.6 million investment, generating hundreds of jobs in the life sciences sector. The redevelopment allows Contract Manufacturing and Development Organisation Kindeva to expand its UK operations, providing facilities for more than 220 scientists, manufacturing, and supply chain professionals.

The project forms the first phase of the Charnwood Campus Innovation Centre, aimed at accelerating growth for medium-sized life sciences companies in the East Midlands. Existing laboratories were refurbished and modernised to meet industry standards, while 50 new parking spaces with electric vehicle charging points support staff and visiting partners.

Funding came through Enterprise Zone Retained Business Rates in collaboration with Charnwood Borough Council. The campus, located on the former AstraZeneca site near Loughborough, operates within the Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone. It offers a commercial ecosystem of research institutes, government organisations, and life sciences firms, designed to simplify the path from concept to commercialisation.

The expansion strengthens the regional life sciences cluster, creating high-value employment opportunities and enhancing the supply chain. Kindeva’s new UK headquarters now anchors the site, reinforcing Charnwood Campus as a strategic location for innovation, collaboration, and business growth in med-tech and biopharma.

East Midlands Railway (EMR) will begin running the first units of its Class 810 Aurora fleet, connecting Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, and Sheffield with London. The initial delivery of two trains occurred in August, allowing staff training to commence.

The fleet was originally scheduled for 2022 but faced delays during testing. EMR had targeted May 2025 for introduction. A phased rollout is planned through 2026, with some services temporarily operating with fewer carriages and without seat reservations. Key routes will be prioritised to reduce disruption.

The Intercity fleet includes 33 five-carriage trains, manufactured by Hitachi Rail in County Durham. They will replace the diesel trains introduced in 2004. Trains will operate on electric power between London St Pancras and a junction south of Leicester, using diesel engines on other parts of the network.

The new units mirror trains currently running on the East Coast and Great Western main lines. Features include additional seating, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, plug sockets, enhanced information screens, and modernised interiors.

Following SOS Wholesale’s fall into administration staff are hoping to secure a pay out, with solicitors taking up their legal challenge. The Derby-based company which supplies consumer goods to convenience, discount, independent, major multiple, and garden centre retailers, has made the majority of its 100 staff redundant and entered into the administration process on September 8th. Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers are now working with employees to review the redundancy process and assess whether the legal requirements for consultation were met. SOS Wholesale is one of the UK’s biggest discount delivered wholesalers and the employment team at Pearson are currently working with over 30 staff advising on potential protective award claims. The company was founded in 1996, and has a warehouse and distribution centre in Derby, as well as a sales team based in Barnsley and staff across all sectors are affected. If successful, staff may be able to claim a protective award, which is compensation of up to 90 days’ gross pay. “It’s early days but if employers did not consult with the appropriate representatives, then any staff made redundant may potentially make a claim. If you lose your job through administration every penny counts,” said Alan Lewis, partner and employment solicitor at Pearson. “Redundancy is a difficult time, especially when processes are not followed properly. Where employers fail in their duty to consult appropriately, workers can potentially claim compensation, and this can be a lifeline in tough circumstances.”

With the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 taking place in just a week’s time (on Thursday 2nd October), there’s not long left to secure your seat at the prestigious event. The awards recognise and celebrate those behind the changing landscape of our region – the very best companies, teams, individuals and projects. They also present a prime opportunity to network with property and construction leaders from across the East Midlands over nibbles and complimentary drinks, sponsored by Wood Moore & Co. Attend the glittering awards ceremony at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agent, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner.

Book your place at the 10th annual awards now to avoid disappointment!

The event, which will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm, will also feature Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, as keynote speaker.

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:

Creative agency Stencil has acquired Nottingham-based marketing firm The Dairy, adding new clients and broadening its service portfolio. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition will see The Dairy’s managing director continue in a consultancy role to support integration before retiring. The move is expected to strengthen Stencil’s market position, expand its creative capabilities, and provide access to The Dairy’s established client base. Senior creative staff from The Dairy will join Stencil to reinforce its leadership team and extend service offerings across a wider range of marketing disciplines.

The deal positions Stencil to scale operations and deliver a broader set of services to existing and new clients while maintaining continuity for The Dairy’s current accounts.

Lovett Care has acquired Belvedere Manor in Colne from Methodist Homes (MHA). The facility comprises 84 ensuite rooms and provides residential, dementia, and respite care services.

The purchase increases Lovett Care’s footprint to 27 locations across the North West, Midlands, and Wales, with additional sites under development. Staff at the facility will transition under Lovett Care management, maintaining workforce stability.

The group plans targeted investment in infrastructure, operational systems, and resident services, aligning with its wider growth strategy in the UK care sector. The move reflects a focus on scaling operations while sustaining care standards and workforce continuity.

Alumasc Group, the Kettering-based building products and systems supplier, has announced that its chief executive, Paul Hooper, will retire on 31 March 2026. Hooper joined Alumasc in April 2001 as managing director and became CEO in March 2003.

During his tenure, the company shifted from a diversified industrial business to a focused building products group. The business reported record performance across all divisions for the year ending 30 June 2025.

The board has confirmed that the search for a successor is well advanced, with an appointment expected to be announced in due course. Hooper will continue to oversee operations until the transition is complete, working alongside executive directors to maintain the company’s growth strategy and deliver long-term value.

Alumasc’s leadership highlighted the company’s strong market position and readiness to capitalise on future opportunities following the executive change.