Investment provides ingredients to enhance support for East Midlands food businesses

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Investment provides ingredients to enhance support for East Midlands food businesses
Investment in the latest technology and equipment is to allow experts at the University of Nottingham to enhance support for East Midlands food and drink businesses.
Scientists from across the School of Biosciences have received £650k investment from Regional Innovation Funding for a range of projects that will support industry with the development of new alternative proteins and food and drink products. There are an estimated 857,000 jobs linked directly to the food chain in the Midlands region, equal to 17.6% of all employment. The region has particular strength in both agriculture and food and drink manufacturing with a diverse range of SMEs and larger business delivering a wide range of products and services. With this new investment, experts at the University of Nottingham will have access to improved facilities and tools to support businesses with their product research and development needs, particularly for cultivated meat, plant-based, and insect-based products. The projects that have received funding are:
  • The facilities for cultivated meats and alternative proteins will be refurbished to create a Cellular Agriculture Hub for the Midlands. The hub will provide specialist training on cellular agriculture methods and product testing for local East Midlands businesses.
  • A new In Vitro Digestion Laboratory will be created to provide high-throughput screening of human food and animal feed additives using alternative protein sources including insects and alternative crops.
  • The Food Innovation Centre has been recently re-launched and can support businesses in the East Midlands with new product and process development, innovation audits and business growth, including access to a range of specialist facilities. The addition of a new Bench and Chiller unit will enable high moisture meat analogues that will be particularly useful for plant and alternative protein businesses locally.
The funding will also allow the International Research Flavour Centre at the University of Nottingham to invest in a new tool that can analyse the complex aromas of food. This will develop the unique capacity to screen large numbers of food and drink samples, with high level of precision and accuracy, enabling SMEs to engage with IFRC with limited on-cost and high levels of knowledge exchange. It will also support the development of educational resources to support the next generation of scientists and workers in the food and drink sector. Professor Phil Williams, Faculty of Science APVC for Research and Knowledge Exchange, said: “The work the university does with the food and drink sector is a vital part of supporting this thriving local economy. “This investment will enhance what we can offer in terms of technological support and ensure our experts are working with the very latest equipment to help businesses stay at the forefront of product development. As the food and drink market continues to diversify at pace and with sustainability high on the agenda we are able to help businesses develop the products of the future.”

Practical completion achieved at Long Eaton commercial development

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Practical completion achieved at Long Eaton commercial development

Practical Completion has been achieved at Stadium Retail Park, a commercial development in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, that will be home to new locations for Lidl GB and Wickes. The site has been brought forward by Clowes Developments.

IMA Architects (IMA) has worked with Clowes Developments to provide all architectural services and act as Principal Designer on the scheme. The company has also worked alongside Millward Consulting Engineers and Roe Developments to deliver the site for Lidl and Wickes. The retailers will now bring in their own teams to carry out the bespoke fit out of the two stores.

The 1.68-hectare Stadium Retail Park site has been built on a brownfield former industrial site that was derelict since 2014, located just off Nottingham Road. All amenities, landscaping and boundary treatments are now in place including car parking for 170 vehicles, including EV charging, parent and child parking and disabled spaces, and a service yard.

It is expected that the new Wickes store will open before the Easter Weekend, and that the Lidl supermarket will open this summer.

Marc Freeman, Director at Clowes Developments, said: “The site had been derelict for 10 years and in the planning stage since 2018, so it’s positive that the site has now been developed and turned into an asset for the local community, creating jobs and bringing economic benefits to the town. We are sure the new Lidl and Wickes stores will be very popular.”

Joe Travers, Associate Director at IMA Architects, said: “This is our latest project with Clowes Developments, and we are pleased that the site has been delivered on time and will soon be a thriving retail location.

“Given the close proximity of residents, we were considerate to their needs throughout the construction phase and our designs for the site include additional landscaping, boundary treatments and acoustic mitigation measures to improve aesthetics and to ensure the scheme does not adversely impact people going forward.”

Sarah Taitt, Property Director at Wickes, said: “We are looking forward to opening our doors in Long Eaton in the coming months. We have been involved in the creation of the site from inception to completion which has meant that we could develop a location that perfectly suited our needs, and we are delighted with our new store at Stadium Retail Park.”

Lidl GB’s Regional Head of Property, Dominic Bryan, said: “There’s been much anticipation for this new Lidl store and it’s great that we are now able to enter the next stages of development. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received so far and look forward to bringing our high quality and best value produce to the local community.”

Egg producer to make substantial investment in Leicestershire manufacturing site

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Egg producer to make substantial investment in Leicestershire manufacturing site
Egg producer, Noble Foods is embarking on its next venture with a substantial investment in an added-value manufacturing site. In addition to recent acquisitions in animal feed and agriculture, this strategic move, set to begin production in the summer in Leicestershire, signifies Noble Foods’ decision to diversify its offerings and expand its Consumer Foods business beyond traditional shell egg. Noble Foods aims to build on its legacy at the new 10,000 sq m manufacturing site by introducing a range of pre-prepared foods using eggs. At its peak, the site has the potential to use over 1.6 million eggs per week. Aimed at the retail, Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and wholesale market, foods including omelettes, egg bites, and frittatas will be made at the site, with a pipeline of innovative new egg-products already in development. Will Cadbury, Added Value Business Lead at Noble Foods, said: “I’m excited that our new investment will help us in our ambition to create more egg-based foods, in different formats, so that more people can enjoy eggs throughout the day.” “We already know that eggs are one of the most versatile and nutritious foods, with the lowest carbon output of any animal protein,” Will continued. “This aligns brilliantly with our purpose ‘To better nourish people, animals and planet’ and our investment will really help to accelerate that, by providing more eggs, for more people, on more occasions.” The Leicestershire manufacturing site, formerly dedicated to producing desserts, will offer up to 150 jobs in its phased opening. Will added: “Opening a new facility is a big moment for all of us at Noble Foods and I can’t wait to see the products coming off the line in the coming months. It’s fantastic that our investment will create new jobs in Leicestershire too, and opportunities for colleagues to develop their careers. “We will be bringing nutritious and convenient products to our customers, several of whom already share our excitement. Combining our deep understanding of farm to fork, along with food and manufacturing experience, gives our customers the confidence they’ll be benefiting from qualities synonymous with Noble Foods.”

Kitchen company director sentenced for misleading customers

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Kitchen company director sentenced for misleading customers
A kitchen company director who misled customers and left them thousands of pounds out of pocket has been sentenced following a successful case brought by Derbyshire County Council’s Trading Standards team. Sonny Shacklock, who ran and was the director of Sonna Kitchens Ltd, based in Chapel Street, Belper, admitted 10 charges of breaching the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 at a hearing in December 2023 at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court. Shacklock (40), of Lambert Road, Grimsby, was charged personally in his role as director of the business – 9 charges for unfair misleading actions (claiming customers’ money was protected) and one charge of unfair trading, for failing to meet professional diligence across the period of offending, all under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. Earlier this week (21 February 2024) at Derby Crown Court Judge Hurst sentenced Shacklock to 8 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 150 hours unpaid work requirement, and disqualification from acting as a company director for 5 years. Derbyshire County Council’s Trading Standards team became aware of problems with Sonna Kitchens Ltd when they were contacted by customers who either had partial work done, or no work at all, by the business, despite paying large amounts of money to replace their kitchens. Nine witnesses said they had been told when arranging the kitchen contracts that their deposits were safe as they had been told the business used an insurance policy to protect payments. These policies were not created, and the money remained unprotected. As a result of the breaches of contract, in total, the customers are owed more than £59,000, which they cannot recover through civil recovery due to the company’s insolvency. Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Carol Hart said: “The sentence handed down by the court sends out a strong message that this kind of underhand trading will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences. “We very much welcome the sentence which comes after a thorough investigation by our Trading Standards officers who investigated complaints received about this company. “It is very sad and frustrating that the customers left out of pocket have no route to go down to recoup their losses but I hope they can take some comfort in knowing that this dishonest businessman has been successfully prosecuted for his actions.”

Business development executive appointed at NLT

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Business development executive appointed at NLT

NLT Training Services has appointed Simon Hammett as a business development executive, working across its Chesterfield and Scunthorpe sites.

He brings a background in a range of sectors to the role, including a successful decade in IT, as well as sales, media, and the armed services where he was a Royal Navy cadet for three years. Alongside his new role at NLT, Simon is also studying part time for a PHD in Documentary Filmmaking.

As part of his business development executive role at NLT Simon will work with organisations, employers and individuals to identify training packages and bespoke courses to assist in the delivery of continued professional development (CPD) in the workplace.

Demand for workplace leadership and management training and development has risen quickly post-covid and Simon’s appointment will enable NLT to extend its reach further.

Simon’s personal CPD makes him ideally placed for the role, having experienced first-hand how accredited training and qualifications can open doors to a range of careers.

Aged 22 he secured a sponsored place with the Royal Naval College where he trained to navigate warships and rose to the rank of Officer – Midshipman. On leaving the Navy, Simon then worked for a number of IT and Communications service providers as well as undertaking degrees in Food, Nutrition and Health, and Documentary Filmmaking.

Speaking about his appointment at NLT, Simon said: “I’m delighted to be part of a company focused on delivering high quality training. Through training and qualifications, I have seen the transformative effect of high-quality provision within my own career progression. I am passionate about NLT’s vision and putting my skillset to use to drive forward the sales of courses.”

Welcoming Simon to the team Sarah Temperton, Chief Executive of NLT Training Services, said: “We’re delighted to have Simon onboard. NLT has been delivering training across the East Midlands and Humberside for more than fifty years. I am confident Simon’s input will help us to shape the next chapter in NLT’s development.”

Northamptonshire video capture technology company sets sights on significant acquisition

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Northamptonshire video capture technology company sets sights on significant acquisition
A Northamptonshire video capture technology company with a global focus on the leisure sector has its sights set on a significant acquisition. Visum Technologies has entered into exclusive non-binding Heads of Terms (HoT) to acquire the entire share capital of Socrates Imaging B.V., a company based in the Netherlands, and Socrates Imaging Ltd, a company based in the United Kingdom. The deal involves a combination of cash payment and new ordinary shares in Visum totaling €2 million. Established in 1990, Socrates Imaging has a legacy in photo and video capture souvenirs within the travel and leisure market. Marc Dixon, CEO of Visum, said: “We are thrilled to announce the heads of agreement for the acquisition of Socrates Imaging. The union of our organizations, leveraging Socrates Imaging’s extensive experience, over 150 client contracts and cutting-edge technology, promises to be mutually beneficial. “This exciting partnership will enable Visum to deliver innovative capture technology, further enhancing our commitment to providing exceptional solutions to our valued customers.” Pim Sonepouse, founder of Socrates Imaging, added: “In 1990, Socrates developed the first digital ride photo system, quickly followed by a series of new-to-market and innovative products. “The quality and reliability of our photosystems are second to none, with the best yet to come in season 2024. I am very excited about the potential collaboration with Visum. It will both accelerate our growth and bring exciting new products and features quicker to market.”

Yü Group enters into “transformational new hedging facility”

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Yü Group enters into “transformational new hedging facility”

Yü Group, the independent supplier of gas, electricity, meter asset owner and installer of smart meters to the UK business sector, has entered into a new structured trading agreement with Shell Energy, with an initial five-year term.

Entry into the hedging facility represents the conclusion of a twelve-month selection and due diligence process. The hedging facility replaces the previous arrangement entered into in 2019 with SmartestEnergy Limited.

The old facility enabled Nottingham-based Yü Group to effectively scale up and formed a key tenet of the Group’s risk management approach allowing the business to procure gas and electricity at fixed prices to support its growing customer base.

The unprecedented volatility in the energy markets, and Yü Group’s rapid growth, has recently resulted in the Group exceeding its available credit under the old facility resulting in the requirement for the Group to post cash on deposit to support its hedging strategy, with £49.8m posted as collateral at 31 December 2023.

The hedging facility with Shell Energy has several benefits for Yü Group. It is structured to allow access to commodity markets to support the Group’s ambitious growth agenda, and has the potential to support further expansion opportunities should they arise.

Further, while the Group meets its ongoing obligations in the hedging facility, Yü Group will not be required to deposit cash as collateral to support mark to market movements, due to energy price fluctuations, as has been required under the old facility. Finally, Yü Group will benefit from Shell’s considerable commodity trading access to liquid commodity markets, at market reflective prices.

Yü Group says the hedging facility “fundamentally transforms” its working capital profile releasing cash that would previously have to be held on balance sheet to support the Group’s robust hedging policy. £52.25m of cash previously lodged under the old facility has now flowed back to Yü Group, with further material cash benefits to be realised over the next month.

Bobby Kalar, Chief Executive Officer of Yü Group, said: “I’m very excited for the future of the Group and look forward to working with Shell Energy Europe Limited, one of Europe’s largest traders of gas, power and environmental products.

“This new strategically important facility is the result of a thorough selection process and is further validation of the strength and maturity of Yü Group following the extensive due diligence and stress-testing of our business model.

“The new hedging facility unlocks over £50m of cash currently posted as collateral and removes a material working capital constraint to the business lifting exposure to mark to market movements from future energy market fluctuations.

“This provides us with substantial strategic and financial benefits, enabling increased distributions whilst continuing to invest to deliver our ambitious growth agenda.

“I recognise it’s been a very busy period for my team and would like to thank them for their continued support. I look forward to the future with absolute confidence.”

Waste firm to pay £68,500 after liquid cyanide leak in Derbyshire

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Waste firm to pay £68,500 after liquid cyanide leak in Derbyshire
The Environment Agency has prosecuted a waste transport company for causing liquid cyanide to leak from a lorry at an industrial estate in Heanor, Derbyshire. At Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday 21 February 2024, J & G Environmental Ltd of Fareham, Hampshire, were fined £16,000 and ordered to pay costs of £52,500. The company had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of causing an illegal water discharge. It prompted the Fire Service to set up decontamination protocols and caused hundreds of fish deaths in a nearby pond. The court was told that the incident occurred on 6 February 2018, when a container was ruptured as the driver started moving them around, having borrowed a forklift truck. Hundreds of litres of a liquid, which contained diluted cyanide, began to escape going onto the floor before entering the drainage system and natural waterways. The Fire Service were called and cordoned off the area and set up decontamination protocols to ensure that anyone involved in the incident were fully washed down. Environment Agency officers were also called and tried to stop the flow of water from nearby ponds. They also took samples from the dead fish and found that of the 73 sent for testing all were found to have died from cyanide poisoning. The Environment Agency estimated their clear up costs were in the region of £50,000. J & G Environmental are contractors offering waste collection and disposal to the printing, photographic and healthcare industry. On the day of the incident, the company had collected the waste liquid from the Rolls Royce base before the lorry went onto Heanor. In sentencing the company, Judge Michael Auty noted that it had no previous convictions and had pleaded guilty to the offence. He also took into account the efforts made by the company more widely to ensure no repetition of a similar incident and to contribute to recycling and environmental welfare. The Judge added that it was unfortunate that the driver was unable to provide any detail of the nature of the liquid being transported and that the absence or availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) created a risk to its employees. A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We welcome this sentence as this was a serious pollution which caused considerable disruption besides fish deaths. The Environment Agency will pursue any company that fails to uphold the law or protect nature and will continue to press for the strongest possible penalties. “Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and harm human health.”

New enterprise centre set for Arnold

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New enterprise centre set for Arnold
Gedling Borough Council has unveiled plans to create an Enterprise Centre that will support local start ups and small medium enterprises at its flagship AMP business unit in Arnold. A report has been published by the council that is allocating a significant investment of £655,000 into fitting out the vacant first floor of the building to boost economic growth and provide a space for offices, conference and training room in the heart of Arnold. The AMP was opened by Gedling Borough Council on the former Arnold Market site in 2022 and is home to several thriving small businesses on the ground floor. The council always had plans to develop the first floor space and the project has received £655,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund so that work can begin and is expected to be completed by the Autumn. The project will support several council priorities including revitalising town centres, support economic growth and creating jobs in the area. It will also increase footfall to the town shopping precinct and support the existing businesses in the area. The council has also recently announced investment plans in the northern part of the town with the purchase of vacant units and the creation of a masterplan for the entire town centre with the aim of attracting investment opportunities following the disappointment of not receiving any UK Government Levelling Up funding in the latest round of bids. Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said: “We’re delighted to be announcing the next phase of work to create an enterprise centre here at the AMP. We want to create a space where we can support local businesses, start ups and entrepreneurs who need office space in the centre of a busy town centre like Arnold. “We’ve seen how successful our investment to build the AMP building has been. The ground floor has been as all seven units are currently full against a backdrop of difficult economic times for so many. “We are doing everything we can to bring people to the high street, including continuing to offer two hours free parking in all our car parks and now with this work to transform the first floor, it will create more jobs and support growth in the borough.”

Government appoints Commissioners for Nottingham City Council to oversee improvement

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Government appoints Commissioners for Nottingham City Council to oversee improvement
The Government has decided to appoint Commissioners for Nottingham City Council. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has confirmed that the Secretary of State, after considering representations and all other developments since his ‘minded to’ proposals, has decided to appoint Commissioners for the council. The Lead Commissioner for Nottingham will be Tony McArdle OBE who was previously Lead Commissioner at the former Northamptonshire County Council and is currently Chair of the London Borough of Croydon Improvement and Assurance Panel. He will be supported by Margaret Lee as Commissioner for Finance, with the intention that a Commissioner for transformation will be nominated in due course. The Commissioners have been granted extensive powers and will oversee the full range of the council’s improvement activities, including strategies to secure the medium and long term financial sustainability of the council and plans to transform front line services. The appointment of Commissioners replaces the Improvement and Assurance Board with immediate effect, although the Commissioners will be able to draw on the input of Sir Tony Redmond and former IAB members as they see fit. Major pressures affecting local government nationally, including the cost of increased demand for children’s and adults’ social care and rising homelessness presentations, have led to a £23 million overspend in 2023/24 and the need to request Exceptional Financial Support from government in the form of capitalisation which allows the council to use capital receipts from asset sales to meet ongoing revenue costs as a short term measure. In addition, an extensive budget savings package which will have a significant impact on local services is due to be decided on by councillors at a meeting of the City Council scheduled for 4 March 2024. In response to the Government appointments, Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the council, said: “Our preferred option was to continue to work with the Improvement and Assurance Board which has been overseeing improvements at the council since 2021. “We feel that significant progress was being made across the council. However, we are committed to working constructively and collaboratively with the Commissioners to tackle Nottingham’s current challenges.” Mel Barrett, the council’s Chief Executive, said: “The council is committed to working in collaboration with the Commissioners to continue our improvement journey at pace, reshaping the organisation to put the authority on a stable financial footing, while delivering essential services for Nottingham residents within the resources that we have. “Our wider transformation work is already well under way and the expert input and challenge from the Commissioners will be invaluable to our officers and councillors as they look to accelerate that process further.”

New owners for pair of Midlands pharmacies

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New owners for pair of Midlands pharmacies
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold a pair of Midlands pharmacies trading as Peak Pharmacy. Founded in 1981 by Peter and Jane Cattee, Peak Pharmacy is an independent pharmacy chain with over 150 pharmacies across the UK. The company decided to sell two of its smaller branches – one in Little Eaton and one in Burton-on-Trent – which dispense an average of circa 2,800 items per month. Following a confidential sales process with Carl Steer at Christie & Co, the pharmacy in Burton-on-Trent has been purchased by local first-time buyer, Mohammed Wasim Gul, and the pharmacy in Little Eaton has been purchased by Amul Telrandhe who also owns Derwent Pharmacy in Derby. Carl Steer, Director – Pharmacy at Christie & Co, says: “The sale of small pharmacies can sometimes prove challenging, however, we are seeing a resurgence in demand for pharmacies dispensing below 4,000 items. Both pharmacies attracted multiple offers and were placed under offer shortly after launching to the market. “It was particularly pleasing to sell a second pharmacy to Amul after we sold him his first pharmacy – Derwent Pharmacy – a few years ago.” The two Peak Pharmacy branches were sold leasehold and freehold respectively via asset sales for undisclosed prices.

Manufacturer of recyclable plastic products sold to management team

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Manufacturer of recyclable plastic products sold to management team
Chiltern Capital has backed the corporate carve out and sale of Strata Products, a manufacturer and distributor of fully recyclable plastic products for home, office and garden markets, to its management team. Formerly owned by Berry Global Inc, a Fortune 500 manufacturer and distributor of plastic packaging products with its UK headquarters in Northamptonshire, Strata has an established reputation with over 300 major retailers in the UK and overseas.Having decided that Nottinghamshire-based Strata was no longer a core part of its current strategy, Berry engaged Grant Thornton to manage a disposal process for the business. The Grant Thornton team in the East of England worked closely with Strata management and Berry to understand their requirements from a transaction. The team ran a focussed transaction process delivering a number of attractive offers. The management buyout was led by Jay Ilsen, CEO, who said: “Strata has a proven history of manufacturing high quality innovative plastic products, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with our trusted customer base. “With Chiltern’s support, we will drive growth in the UK through new product development, as well as continuing our expansion in Europe and North America.” Mike Tillson, partner at Grant Thornton, added: “This transaction has delivered a great outcome for all parties.  Strata is now well placed to continue its growth in partnership with Chiltern. “This deal demonstrates the continuing appetite from buyers and investors for well managed mid-market businesses, and we wish Jay and his team all the success for the future.”

Derby business chooses Safe and Sound as charity of the year

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Derby business chooses Safe and Sound as charity of the year
The Derby office of a national specialist insurance brokers has pledged to raise money for local charity Safe and Sound over the next two years. PIB Insurance Brokers in Wyvern Business Park choose a different charity to support every two years and organise a diverse fundraising programme ranging from physical challenges to dress down days. Branch director Neil Howie explained: “Although we are part of a national group, we are committed to supporting the communities where our staff, clients and contacts are based. “All the team nominated charities and it then went to the vote with resounding support for Safe and Sound. “Having heard more about the issue around child exploitation, I am delighted that we will have the opportunity to raise money that will make a real difference to so many young people and their families in our local communities. “Choosing a nominated charity gives everyone the focus for what they want to do individually or as part of the team and we have some great activities in the pipeline.” Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison added: “As well as raising much needed funds, I always welcome the opportunity to build relationships with companies and organisations to raise awareness of child exploitation. “This enables staff, in turn, to share information with their own family, friends and contacts which is vital to keeping young people safe from grooming and exploitation both in person and online. “The PIB team were very receptive to learning more about the work we do and several have expressed interest in volunteering for us which is great news.”

Streets Chartered Accountants covers updates to payroll management, HR and compliance, Trade Credit Insurance, and more in new news roundup

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Streets Chartered Accountants covers updates to payroll management, HR and compliance, Trade Credit Insurance, and more in new news roundup

Streets also looked at the broader HR matters that may concern employers now and in the year ahead, along with the potential impact of changes to and the introduction of new employment legislation. If you missed it you can catch up now!

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Trade Credit Insurance can protect your business 

Does your business have Trade Credit Insurance? Have you reviewed it recently to ensure that your policy is the right fit and level of cover your business needs?

Trade Credit Insurance protects manufacturers, traders and service providers against losses from non-payment of a commercial trade debt. Debts can arise as a result of a customer becoming insolvent or failing to pay within agreed terms.

Read More

Open Road is Colchester office’s new nominated charity As part of Streets’ commitment to the communities in which its teams live and work, the Colchester office of Streets Whittles has an established approach to supporting a nominated local good cause. 

As of March 2024, Streets has selected Open Road to benefit from its support. An established drug and alcohol recovery support charity in Essex and Medway, Open Road provides services to support individuals on their journey to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Have we become too obsessed about the use of technology in our businesses?

Is it time to regain control of our senses about the benefits and use of technology? The last 12 months seem to have been unprecedented in terms of the use and introduction of technology and digital innovation.

Who would have thought that OpenAI and ChatGPT only really came to market and wider use in November 2022? With the launch of Google’s AI and other platforms there does seem to be a frenzy of activity as organisations seek to understand what artificial intelligence can do for them or how it might impact their businesses.

York House gets new lease of life in £800k transformation

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York House gets new lease of life in £800k transformation
Investment of £800,000 is giving Chesterfield’s York House a new lease of life as a business centre. The building, on St. Mary’s Gate, will now be known as York House Business Centre following the transformation of the property by Sovereign Assets & Developments. A spokesperson for the developer commented: “Our vision for York House is to create a space that not only serves as a practical work environment but also fosters a community of innovation and growth for all its members. “Every corner of York House has been reimagined to offer the perfect blend of heritage charm and modern convenience, with state-of-the-art facilities that businesses need to thrive in today’s fast-paced world. “The choice to develop York House into business units was driven by the building’s innate potential and Chesterfield’s growing demand for quality office space. We recognised the opportunity to create something that could truly make a difference for local and incoming businesses. “York House will play a pivotal role in growing the local economy by attracting diverse businesses and talents to the area. By providing top-notch facilities, we’re helping start-ups, scale-ups, and established companies to operate efficiently, which in turn will generate job opportunities and stimulate economic activity.”  

Aggregate Industries develops cement storage facility at Southampton

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Aggregate Industries develops cement storage facility at Southampton
Coalville-based Aggregate Industries has signed a 20-year deal with Associated British Ports and cargo handler Solent Stevedores who will be operating a major cement storage facility at Southampton for deep-sea shipping lines. This latest investment will help the business maintain a continuous supply of lower carbon cementitious solutions throughout the South and South West of England, and together with the expansion of storage capacities and enhanced infrastructure, the Port will be able to accommodate larger vessels and improve overall transport efficiencies. It constitutes an important first step in the cement leader’s ambitious strategy to transition to deep sea terminals, with a number of further import network improvements planned and due to be announced over the coming years. With each import investment strategically chosen to support the firm’s regional logistics infrastructure, this growth in distribution capability will help Aggregate Industries to offer best in class service to local customers – with minimal lorry miles from terminals to sites – for the ultimate in sustainable, agile, secure supply. Matt Owen, Head of Supply Chain at Aggregate Industries Cement Division said: “This is a significant project for us. It constitutes the first stage in a wider programme of planned investments over the short to medium term in deep sea imports designed to enable us to serve growing demand. “The Southern construction market remains buoyant with lots of major projects in the pipeline this year and beyond. Constituting one of the few deep-sea vessel facilities of its kind in the region, this facility will enable us to remain primed and ready to meet our customers rising demand for lower carbon solutions.” “Our investment in this Port is indicative of the key role freight is playing in helping us to build resilience and surety of supply for customers, so we can always respond in an agile way to customer demand.” Clive Thomas, Commercial Director at Solent Stevedores, said: “Welcoming Aggregate Industries to the port with this long-term contract will facilitate a significant upgrade in the facilities and increase the range of products Team Solent handles through the Bulks terminal.”

“Step-change in performance driven by transformation” at Rolls-Royce

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“Step-change in performance driven by transformation” at Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce has delivered a record performance in 2023, driven by transformation. Underlying operating profit of £1.6bn was up from £652m in 2022. Meanwhile revenues grew from £12.7bn to £15.4bn. The business also highlighted record free cash flow of £1.3bn. Net debt at the Derby manufacturer was £2bn, down from £3.3bn at the end of 2022. Looking to 2024, Rolls-Royce is expecting underlying operating profit between £1.7bn and £2bn and free cash flow between £1.7bn and £1.9bn. Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO, said: “Our transformation has delivered a record performance in 2023, driven by commercial optimisation, cost efficiencies and progress on our strategic initiatives. “This step-change has been achieved across all our divisions, despite a volatile environment with geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain challenges and inflationary pressures. “We are managing the business differently and our significant performance improvement in the year reflects the hard work and focused actions of all our teams. We are also continuing to invest to drive future sustainable growth. “Our strong delivery in 2023 gives us confidence in our 2024 guidance and is a significant step towards our mid-term targets. We are unlocking our full potential as a high-performing, competitive, resilient, and growing Rolls-Royce.”

Partners& boosts Midlands presence

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Partners& boosts Midlands presence
Monaco Insurance Services and Church Side Insurance Services are the latest additions to Partners&’s growing team in the Midlands. Monaco Insurance Services, based in Edgbaston, was founded in 2010 by Amrik Chote and Kay Gill. The team plan to rebrand to Partners& in June 2024 and will report to Neil O’Sullivan, Managing Partner for the Midlands region, which includes offices in Hereford, Shrewsbury, Nottingham and a new office soon to open in Birmingham. Phil Barton, CEO, said: “Amrik and Kay have built a highly respected and professional business, and I’m delighted they have chosen Partners& as their new home. They are a phenomenal team whose experience and relationships in the Birmingham market are second to none. “Their commitment to the community and the charitable work they have done is fantastic, and they’ll be a great addition to our Midlands team based in Birmingham.” Church Side Insurance Services, based in Mansfield, was founded in 2013 by Dean Parrish and Damian Booker. Specialising in providing SME and mid-corporate clients with insightful and practical advice to protect their businesses, they complement the Partners& Nottingham team. In early February, Church Side rebranded to Partners&. Phil said: “As they have grown their business, Dean and Damian have demonstrated significant business acumen and a professional approach that is very much aligned with Partners&. From the first time we met, they felt like one of the team. As we look to bolster our presence in the region, and in Nottingham in particular, the team represents a great asset for our growing our East Midlands hub.” Commenting on the move, Dean said: “When we started to discuss future partnerships, synergy and longevity were top of our agenda. We wanted to make sure that we could look after our customers and staff, in the same way we always had, whilst also having the knowledge and resources of an excellent company alongside us. “During our first meeting with Partners& it became quickly apparent, that they were the only company we wanted to work with. “The quality of the people, and the principles that Phil Barton and his team have built are immense. We are really looking forward to becoming part of the Partners& family.”

Trio of Derbyshire day nurseries sold to major group

Tess Egginton
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Trio of Derbyshire day nurseries sold to major group
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold three established Derbyshire day nursery settings trading as Kingfisher Day Nurseries. Kingfisher Day Nurseries comprises Kingfisher Day Nursery Donisthorpe in Swadlincote, Kingfisher Day Nursery Chapel Street in Spondon, and Kingfisher Day Nursery Kilburn in Belper. Together, they cater for up to 186 children aged between one and four years. Kingfisher Day Nurseries was previously owned by Helen Allanson, who established her first setting in Spondon in 2004 and grew the group from there. She decided to sell to retire from the sector. Following a sales process with Jassi Sunner at Christie & Co, the three settings have been purchased by Kids Planet Day Nurseries, bringing the group to 188 settings across the UK. Helen Allanson, former owner of Kingfisher Day Nurseries, says: “I acquired my first settings (Spondon nursery and pre school site) in 2004 and increased numbers and facilities here from 20 children to 68. Other settings were purchased in 2011 and 2015 and each nursery was updated and modernised where needed. “It has been a busy and productive 20 years but it was time for a break to follow other opportunities and to spend more time with children and grandchildren. I feel Kids Planet will care for and develop the excellent staff team at each nursery and will have the resources to further improve facilities for the children.” Clare Roberts, CEO at Kids Planet Day Nurseries, says: “We are thrilled to have added Kingfisher Day Nurseries to the Kids Planet family. They are truly lovely nurseries that very much mirror the ethos of Kids Planet in both quality practice and provision. “I am really looking forward to working closely with the settings over the next few months as we support and develop the nurseries further.” Jassi Sunner, Associate Director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, says: “I have had the pleasure of working with Helen since 2019 when we managed to sell the first of the fantastic five settings she had at the time. We continued our good working relationship with another single-setting sale in 2021. “I knew that Helen may have plans to exit so presented the opportunity of a well-known buyer for her remaining five settings and we were quickly able to agree a closed and confidential sale. “The span of these settings across various boroughs of Derbyshire was a key attraction to the buyer and Helen’s strong relationship and dedicated teams have always been a key factor to the range of buyers we have agreed sales to. “I am sincerely pleased to help Helen exit the sector and I hope she can benefit from the additional time she now has to spend with her lovely family.” Kingfisher Day Nurseries was sold for an undisclosed price.

NTU awarded £112k to expand digital apprenticeships provision

Tess Egginton
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NTU awarded £112k to expand digital apprenticeships provision
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has been successful in gaining funding for the first wave of the Office for Students apprenticeships funding grant.
The Office for Students recently announced £40 million pounds worth of funding available for training providers to increase participation in apprenticeships at Level 6, with some smaller pots of funding available at Level 4 and 5. This funding will be allocated in 2 waves, in 2024 and 2025. NTU was awarded £112,000, aimed at increasing apprenticeship starts on its Digital courses of Level 6 Data Scientist, Level 6 Digital Technologies Software Professional and Level 6 Digital Marketer Degree Apprenticeships for 2024.
The office for students announced the funding aimed at: expanding the number of available courses; increasing the number of students on Level 6 degree apprenticeships with historically low starting numbers; increasing equality of opportunity within Level 6 degree apprenticeships. John Blake, Director for Fair Access and Participation at the Office for Students, said on the funding: “Degree apprenticeships can provide students with the best of both worlds; the opportunity to combine paid work with a high-quality undergraduate in their chosen industry. “These qualifications help enhance diversity with flexible, innovative opportunities and provide an alternative route into higher education for students to learn skills that meet society’s current and future needs.”
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