BDO bolsters East Midlands team with partner hire

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BDO bolsters East Midlands team with partner hire

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has strengthened its Midlands team with the appointment of a new partner.

Having previously worked at BDO between 2011 to 2018, Steve Round re-joins the firm as a tax partner in the East Midlands. He specialises in transaction tax and advising owner-managed businesses, their shareholders & private equity-backed businesses on tax issues arising during all stages of a business’s lifecycle.

At BDO, he will manage a portfolio of clients across a breadth of sectors, including technology, professional services, manufacturing, business services and real estate. He will also focus on transaction work, advising on corporate structuring, shareholder exits, business acquisitions, tax due diligence, succession and the creation of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).

Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner at BDO in the Midlands, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back Steve to our rapidly expanding East Midlands team.

“In the last 12 months, we have invested significantly in the region, cementing our position in the market with our long-term move to Nottingham city centre, while also attracting talented and high-performing individuals to strengthen our proposition.

“Steve will add considerable value as we continue to grow our tax and corporate finance teams in the East Midlands.”

Steve will be based in the firm’s Nottingham office and joins from Cooper Parry.

He said: “It’s fantastic to be back at BDO during a period of exciting growth in the region. I’m really looking forward to getting back out in the East Midlands market to reignite strong relationships with the private equity and advisor community, as well as owner-managed businesses that are the lifeblood of the region.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in and build close bonds across our local, national and international teams – a network that brings considerable value to our service offering.”

£14m of investment delivered by Loughborough Town Deal – with more on the way

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£14m of investment delivered by Loughborough Town Deal – with more on the way
Millions of pounds have been invested thanks to Loughborough Town Deal and more developments are on the way. The Town Deal is backing 11 projects with several already being completed or progressing well and 2024 looks set to be another big year. The Town Deal secured £16.9 million from the Government’s Towns Fund to support the projects and in total, they are worth more than £40 million of investment. Those already completed include a new Careers and Enterprise Hub in the town centre, the regeneration of the Bedford Square area, the creation of SportPark Pavilion 4 at Loughborough University and the upgrade of two kilometres of canal towpath through the heart of the town. The Living Loughborough project has also expanded free wi-fi in the town centre, created an augmented reality heritage trail and helped introduce free business support for local businesses. More elements of this scheme are being developed. In total, the investment for these projects is around £14 million. Other projects also well underway include work to save the last major Bell Foundry in Britain – John Taylor & Co. The scheme, which is also being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is due for completion later this year. Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Loughborough Town Deal chair, said: “I am delighted to see the progress that the Town Deal projects are making on the ground – projects which began as ideas for regeneration and improvements, over four years ago. “The total investment now being made is simply huge for Loughborough, its residents, and visitors to the town. It will help support the people of Loughborough for many years to come with new facilities, skills, jobs and an improved environment.” Dr Kotecha, whose tenure as chair of the Town Deal Board has come to an end, added: “I am proud of what our Town Deal has achieved so far and proud to have played a role in supporting the programme and projects through to this delivery stage. “We have faced and overcome a range of challenges, including right from the very beginning when we put together our investment plan with partners and local businesses – just as the pandemic hit. “However, we went on to secure £16.9 million from the Government to back our 11 projects. Today, work is well advanced, collaborating with many tremendous partners who have co-invested and have led – or are leading – the delivery of these exciting projects. Without the commitment shown by our partners, the programme just wouldn’t have been possible. “I am really pleased that some key projects have already been completed and will make a lasting difference for Loughborough. “I’m excited to see the successful completion of all projects within the Town Deal, and I would like to wish everyone who has supported the Town Deal over the past few years the best, in particular my fellow board members who have been instrumental in driving this forward. “The Town Deal will not only leave a legacy in terms of its projects but also in how it has brought people, organisations and businesses together for the benefit of the area.” Dr Kotecha was appointed co-chair of the board in 2020 alongside Cllr Jonathan Morgan, the former Leader of Charnwood Borough Council. Dr Kotecha has been chair since last year. A new chair will be appointed shortly. The other Town Deal projects which are still being progressed include the Lanes and Links scheme which will better link the town centre and Queen’s Park and see the creation of a Covid memorial; the creation of a Digital Skills Hub at Loughborough College; the creation of the Generator which will see a derelict building converted into a creative arts and culture hub; support for Great Central Railway; and support for a flood scheme for Loughborough’s Wood Brook. The Town Deal Board involves representatives from Charnwood Borough Council, Loughborough University, Loughborough College, Love Loughborough, Leicestershire County Council, the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, Charnwood Together Economy and Skills Group, local businesses and Loughborough MP Jane Hunt.

Work begins on £3.7m mental health ward refurb

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Work begins on £3.7m mental health ward refurb
Refurbishment works have started at Walton Hospital in Chesterfield, to create a dedicated ward for older adults with functional mental health issues. Stepnell is carrying out the works. Previously vacant, the £3.7 million refurbishment of Bluebell Ward provides capacity for the relocation of patients from Pleasley Ward at the Hartington Unit on the Chesterfield Royal Hospital site, three miles across the town. Delivering via the Procure Partnerships Framework (PPF) for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (DHCFT), the project will create a 12-bedroom older adult mental health facility with single ensuite rooms. The ward is for functional older adults, and once completed, the functional and organic older adult services will be co-located in the same building. Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “The refurbishment of Bluebell Ward signifies the latest project that we are completing for an NHS Foundation Trust, and we are proud of our long-standing reputation for delivering successful healthcare projects across the country using our local expertise. “We are helping to enhance the offering of locally accessible specialist services, as part of the NHS Long Term Plan.” Tom Woolley, key account manager for the east at Procure Partnerships Framework, added: “Procure Partnerships Framework is delighted to see work is underway on the refurbishment of Bluebell Ward for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. “Our partners are experts in healthcare schemes and have worked incredibly hard in the planning stages to ensure the facility is set to become a welcoming, safe and sustainable environment for the patients of Bluebell Ward. We are excited to see this scheme come to life and the long-lasting benefit it will bring to the community of Chesterfield.” Set to complete this July, the refurbishment adapts the existing structure of Bluebell Ward to achieve a fit-for-purpose design that follows the same building principles for new mental health units, completing under the Making Room for Dignity programme. Stepnell is undertaking the works with multi-disciplinary construction consultancy EDGE. Charlotte Dennish, cost manager at EDGE, said: “Our healthcare specialist team is proud to be working alongside Stepnell to deliver an environment that promotes wellbeing and safety, improving the patient experience. “EDGE is delighted to be delivering Bluebell Ward as part of the wider Making Room for Dignity programme, ensuring consistent quality standards and patient environments. “By working with ex-service user Nick Richards on the project, we’ve been able to learn from his lived experience and ensure that the space is optimised to support older adults with mental health challenges, while also providing a welcoming environment for all who will use the service.” The project is part of the government’s Dormitory Eradication Programme, which DHCFT names the ‘Making Room for Dignity’ programme, to eradicate dormitory accommodation in mental health facilities, ensuring that patients receive the appropriate safety, privacy and dignity to treat mental illnesses. Andy Harrison, senior responsible owner at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to have commenced the work to our refurbished ward at Walton Hospital for the older adults of Derbyshire who require inpatient support for functional mental health needs. “Not only will the co-location with organic mental health services mean access to specialist older people clinicians but also a safer ward environment with increased privacy and dignity.”

Leicestershire technical consultancy appoints new board of directors

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Leicestershire technical consultancy appoints new board of directors
A Leicestershire technical consultancy has strengthened its board of directors. MEC Consulting Group, formerly M-EC Development Technical Consultants, has promoted Tim Rose to regional director (Leicester) while adding Rob MacDonald as regional director (Birmingham) and Dave Stockton as director – Civils & Structures. MEC’s Managing Director, Alex Bennett explains: “Since becoming MD in the final quarter of last year, I’ve had the opportunity to review our business goals and reprioritise. Key outcomes from this exercise were the need to broaden client awareness of the full suite of services we offer, and to expand our work with housebuilders and developers. “To achieve this, we have deliberately recruited from within the housebuilding industry, appointing two well-connected and respected professionals in Dave and Rob. “Both have two decades’ expertise working for regional developers and national PLCs, meaning they have an inherant understanding of the quality and service required, and are entirely commercially minded. This, coupled with our collaborative approach, is what we believe will set MEC apart.” Assuming responsibility for MEC’s ten-strong Civils & Structures team is Dave Stockton, a qualified civil engineer whose career encompasses consultancy roles and working directly for housebuilders including Bellway Homes and Countyside Partnerships. Dave says: “The directorship at MEC appealed because I could help shape the redirection of the business and bring fresh insight into the design standards and value engineering that developers expect. Being a multi-disciplinary consultancy also means we offer a ‘one-team’ service, which can significantly increase speed of development delivery, so is an added advantage.” Heading up MEC’s relaunched Birmingham office is Rob MacDonald. Aside from short spells with a consultancy and local authority, Rob’s career has been entirely in residential development, undertaking senior technical and director roles at Taylor Wimpey, Cala Homes and Wain Homes. “I’ve known and worked with MEC for around 13 years so when I became aware the company was looking to re-establish its presence in Birmingham, the opportunity was too good to miss,” said Rob. “Birmingham’s property sector is thriving. The city has plenty of exciting developments underway as well as ambitious plans for continued regeneration. I’m looking forward to connecting with many of the region’s developers and helping facilitate schemes that will provide quality new homes and places of work.” “Our team has a wide breadth of knowledge across multiple disciplines so we are keen to build upon our reputation as a ‘safe pair of hands’ as we embark on our next phase of growth,” adds Alex. “With new leadership now in place, clients can be assured they will receive timely, robust and considered advice as well as a senior point of contact for the duration of a project. “All of this means our future looks very positive. We have the official opening of our Birmingham office to look forward to, which presents opportunities for recruitment and to achieve our target of employing a team of 50 specialists by the end of the year, plus in December we will celebrate 15 years in business, which will be an extremely proud milestone for us all,” concludes Alex.

University of Leicester partners with Flexeserve to drive innovation

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University of Leicester partners with Flexeserve to drive innovation
The University of Leicester is working with Hinckley-based manufacturer Flexeserve and Innovate UK on a collaboration which helps businesses innovate for growth. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), will see Flexeserve – which manufactures hot-holding food cabinets and is partnered with big-name retailers such as Marks & Spencer, BP and Greggs – aim to strategically grow its business and turnover in international markets. Graduate Venkatesh Ravi, who completed an MSc in Applied Computations and Numerical Modelling at the University of Leicester, has been successfully employed under the scheme as KTP Associate. KTPs connect forward thinking businesses with the UK’s world class knowledge bases to deliver business-led innovation projects, lasting between 12 and 36 months. The project is supported by Kamran Hussein, one of Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Advisers, who provides expertise and guidance to all partners at every stage of the journey. Through collaboration with academics from the University of Leicester, Flexeserve hopes to further enhance its successful range of heated food cabinets with new software and skills, overcoming its lengthy and expensive ‘trial and error’ of physical prototyping and testing. The project is valued at £200,000 and is anticipated to last two years. Innovate UK, the country’s national innovation agency, has provided a grant covering 67% of the costs. The KTP agreement has officially been underway since the start of October, and will help Flexeserve with its strategy to meet international demand for heated units with an additional £4.6 million of sales in the next five years. Venkatesh, employed as AeroThermo Mechanical Design Engineer, is under the guidance and weekly supervision of the University of Leicester’s Dr Aldo Rona (School of Engineering) and Dr Alberto Paganini (School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences). Since 1975, KTPs have been creating positive impact and driving innovation. Currently around 800 businesses, 100 knowledge bases and over 800 graduates are involved in KTPs across the UK. Paul Corazzo, Research and Partnership Development Officer at the University of Leicester, said: “The research partnerships team work alongside academics to co-ordinate a number of KTPs, with a portfolio of seven live projects. These are with a diverse range of partners from financial services, care homes, cancer immunotherapy, tabletting science, to understanding theatre audiences. KTP is perfect for businesses who want to de-risk their innovation.” Alberto Paganini, Associate Professor in Mathematics and Project Academic Lead, said: “Through KTPs, industrial partners can access state-of-the-art science and upgrade and enhance their capabilities. KTPs also provide academic partners with insight into current industrial workflows, which informs their future research vision.” Aldo Rona, Associate Professor in the School of Engineering and Academic Supervisor, said: “This KTP has started with great energy and momentum, facilitated by the use of a common Computer Aided Design platform between Flexeserve and the University of Leicester. “This is allowing the freedom to use more sophisticated heat and flow management concepts, explore them in bespoke design solutions, and iterate the designs in computer simulations. The energy savings in the improved hot food holding cabinets will be good for the environment, for shop owners, and will make hot food on the go more affordable.” Mick Steele, Technical Director at Flexeserve, said: “We are all very excited at Flexeserve to benefit from this important strategic project. The skills and knowledge that will be invested into the business will transform the efficiency of our products and allow new and innovative products to be brought to market far more quickly. “With Venkatesh in the business, and the huge support of the University of Leicester Engineering team, the successes of Flexeserve will continue to put Leicestershire and the UK at the forefront of innovation.”

The Compleat Food Group makes duo of acquisitions

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The Compleat Food Group makes duo of acquisitions
Nottingham-based The Compleat Food Group has sealed a duo of deals, acquiring SK Foods and Zorba Foods from The Entrepreneurial Food Group. The two food businesses are category leaders in private label chilled party foods and dips and deli fillings, with a combined turnover of over £160m and over 1,150 employees. Formed in 1987, Teesside-based SK Foods employs over 770 people and specialises in globally inspired party foods including Indian, Oriental, Tex Mex, Mediterranean, and Traditional British favourites. It holds around 40% of the market share for private label party foods outside of the Christmas period and became part of The Entrepreneurial Food Group in 1999. South Wales-based Zorba Foods was formed in 1976. Now employing nearly 380 people at its Gwent site, it started out creating authentic Greek houmous, before expanding to cover a range of Greek, Traditional, Tex Mex and Asian-inspired dips and sauces, alongside soups, for retail and foodservice. It holds around 25% share of the private label dips market and became part of the Entrepreneurial Food Group in 2003. Nick Field, CEO, said: “We’re incredibly excited about these two significant additions and what they bring to the group, with both companies having strong heritage in their categories for creating great food that people love. We plan to continue investment in both companies to extend their respective capabilities, allowing us to further innovate and inspire within their categories. “For The Compleat Food Group, these acquisitions accelerate our commitment to build on our breadth of capability, increase our category leadership position, and deliver more excitement and interest to delight our consumers, driving sustained growth in the sector.” Jeremy Faulkner, CEO of both SK Foods and Zorba, said: “At the heart of both SK Foods and Zorba is a commitment to real food values. It’s what our reputations have been founded on and why we are able to say that we are category leaders. “With The Compleat Food Group, we have found a natural partner who not only shares our values, but also the ambition to invest and support us in driving further innovation and growth for our categories and key partners.”

Next plans storage expansion at Enderby HQ

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Next plans storage expansion at Enderby HQ
Plans from Leicestershire retailer Next to build on its Enderby HQ have been recommended for approval. The proposal involves the erection of a new storage building to be accommodated through the relocation of current recycling facilities. The new building will provide: a new location for staff ‘Direct to Desk’ collections (whereby staff can collect items ordered online whilst at the workplace; a permanent storage facility for samples currently stored in shipping containers across the site; additional storage for homeware samples; general storage for IT equipment. Associated external works to accompany the new storage building will see recycling facilities relocated to the existing container yard, a new access ramp to the side of the multistorey car park to allow movement of goods to the Phase 6 building, and new staff amenity space to the side of the multistorey car park. The proposed storage building will have a gross internal area of 1,077 square metres at ground floor plus 1,036.5 square metres at first floor, totalling 2,113.5 square metres. Alongside the proposed storage building, a service yard is proposed to the rear. Next’s headquarters have been based at the current Enderby site since 1986. The site has been progressively expanded, with the most recent addition being the purpose built Photo Studio completed in 2016. A document from Blaby District Council’s Planning Committee, which the plans will go before on 8 February, says: “The proposal will assist Next in managing storage requirements at their Head Office site and reduce the need for temporary buildings and structures. “It is considered that the building, although relatively plain and functional, is in keeping with the design and scale of other buildings on site and whilst likely to be visible from outside the site (in particular from Forest Road to the rear), would be viewed in the context of the existing buildings and would not be detrimental to the character and appearance of the countryside. “The proposed building would result in a reduction in the overall quantum of car parking on site, but the applicant has demonstrated that a surplus of parking now exists due to changes in working practices in the last four years and so the loss would be acceptable. Furthermore, as the building will accommodate existing uses on site, it will not result in additional trip generation or parking requirements. “It is recommended that planning permission is granted.”

First and second phases complete at Horizon 29

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First and second phases complete at Horizon 29

Phase 1A and 1B of industrial and distribution hub, Horizon 29, in Bolsover, Derbyshire are now finished. 

Horizon 29 is a new distribution development located one mile from Junction 29A of the M1, and once fully complete, it will span 1,150,256 sq ft and have a total of eight warehouses, delivered over three phases by McLaren Construction (Midlands and North).

Phase 1A comprises two single-storey distribution warehouses (units 1 and 2) and sustainable features including solar PVs, air source heat pumps, enhanced cladding, responsibly sourced sustainable materials, LED lighting and electric vehicle charging points. The units have been constructed to a BREEAM Rating of ‘Excellent,’ with an EPC ‘A’ Rating. 

Phase 1B, involved the construction of units 4 and 5, alongside all subsequent mechanical and electrical works, office fit outs and external works to ongoing conference laboratory car parks. 

The contractor also delivered earthworks, CMC and VSC piling, concrete foundations, steel framing, lift shaft and stair installations, nets for roofing works and office elevation cladding.

Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “We are delighted that works for both Phase 1A and 1B are finally complete.

“Once all phases are finished, Horizon 29 will be a premier distribution centre for the region, and an ideal hub for quality tenants looking for direct and easy access to the M1 north and south.

“We were pleased to be working alongside BentallGreenOak and Equation Properties for the second phase of this landmark scheme.”

Thrills galore for Safe and Sound fundraisers

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Thrills galore for Safe and Sound fundraisers
Safe and Sound has announced its first two fundraising events for 2024 with proceeds going to help the charity protect and support more young people and families whose lives have been affected by child exploitation. The first event will be the popular annual Race Night on Thursday April 25, sponsored by Cosy Direct. This is set to be the biggest ever and will be hosted by the city’s newly-opened Great Northern Classics. Guided by host and charity CEO Tracy Harrison, race goers place their bets and then cheer their chosen horses over the finishing line with the races played out on giant screens. Tickets can be booked for individuals or tables of eight and ten. Those looking for an even greater thrill will then have the opportunity to join a sponsored skydive on Friday June 28, at Langar Airfield, Nottingham. Representatives from several local businesses have already signed up including Smith Partnership, Gravity Digital, Bloc Digital and PIB Insurance – prompting organisers to look at booking a second date due to the high demand. Further events are planned for later in the year and Tracy Harrison explained: “The Derbyshire business community has always shown us amazing support and this is vital to ensure we can support children as young as seven who are being groomed and exploited both online and in person in our local communities as well as their families. “We like to set our supporters a new challenge every year and, having tackled abseiling and fire walking in the past, I hope that as many people as possible will join me in jumping out of a plane! “Although child exploitation is a serious and sometimes uncomfortable truth, our fundraising events are always designed to be fun to reflect our goal – to help young people and families move forward and bring joy and laughter back into their lives.”

Nimbus Disability prepares for expansion with office move

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Nimbus Disability prepares for expansion with office move
Derby-based Nimbus Disability has moved to new offices in Sir Frank Whittle Road, opposite Derbyshire County Cricket Ground, to pave the way for future expansion. The social enterprise, which is run by disabled people for disabled people, is now based in Grade A 4,077 sq ft offices on the ground floor at Pentagon House which, over the years, has been home to some of the city’s largest Blue Chip companies. The fully-accessible offices are home to Nimbus Disability’s 28 staff who administer the award-winning Access Card which is held by more than 350,000 disabled people and is recognised by more than 1,600 venues and events across the world who offer accessible tickets. Many of the venues and events are seasonal such as Alton Towers and Glastonbury Festival and employee numbers are set to increase in the coming weeks to cope with the annual increase of new and renewal applications for the Access Card. The Access Card is the first accessible ticketing scheme of its type in the world – offering a universal and consistent way of disabled people evidencing and communicating their needs to providers quickly and discreetly. Powered by ‘NOS’, Nimbus Disability’s bespoke software, the system translates its holder’s disability/impairment/access requirements into symbols and when booking online, informs providers quickly and discreetly about the access requirements that individuals need. It is already widely recognised at major venues including West End theatres, The London Eye and the O2 Arena to venues in the USA, Europe and New Zealand. Martin Austin MBE, who set up Nimbus Disability eight years ago, explained: “We have outgrown our previous offices in Pride Park and needed somewhere with the space and accessible facilities that our growing team needs. “We have particularly seen increased numbers of Access Card applications since we were recognised with The Queen’s Award for Innovation two years ago and our members now make at least 2.5 million visits a year using this invaluable service. “Our innovative Access Card scheme is improving the lives of thousands of disabled people across the UK and across the globe – opening up the opportunity for them to visit and engage with events and destinations and enabling them to play a more participative role in society. “These high quality offices will therefore pave the way for future growth as we onboard even more venue and event partners and the benefits of the Access Card are further recognised by disabled people both in the UK and abroad.” As a social enterprise, Nimbus Disability was established to donate most of their profits for a social or environmental purpose. At the official opening of the new offices, Mr Austin announced that £340,000 had been donated back to its sister charity Disability Direct in 2022/23 which provides information and advice service for disabled people, older people and carers and is the East Midlands’ largest user-led charity. Disability Direct CEO Dr. Amo Raju OBE DL congratulated the Nimbus Disability team on their success so far. He said: “We are incredibly proud of the growth and direction of travel which Nimbus is experiencing. “Whilst we naturally welcome the yearly donation for our vital projects for disabled people in the community, we are equally thrilled it’s meeting a genuine need nationally too. We’re looking forward to see Nimbus thrive and reach even greater heights.”

Purpose Media appoints senior account manager

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Purpose Media appoints senior account manager

Chris Lockwood has been appointed Senior Account Manager with the South Normanton-based agency Purpose Media, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the business after his time representing clients such as Barclays, Sony and Legal & General.

The University of Derby graduate had previously worked in marketing roles with Sports Direct, Punch Communications and Derby City Council and also operated as a freelance consultant.

HE said: “I’m really passionate about what we do and about using our expertise to really add value for our clients.

“The digital marketing sector is fast-paced and constantly evolving, which means we need to be forward-thinking, sometimes we need to be brave, and we always need to be creative.”

Chris’s career highlights to date include working with Sony Xperia mobile phones, running paid media and content campaigns to boost sales across the company’s European territories. He also helped Sports Direct to launch of the 2017 Liverpool FC home kit, with a strategy which included asset creation, email marketing and paid media.

Purpose Media MD Matt Wheatcroft said: “Chris’s track record is impressive; he’s achieved great results for many blue-chip clients and he’s massively enthusiastic about doing the same for the businesses we advise. We’re sure that Chris will be a great addition to the Purpose team.”

‘It’s wonderful’, says Chesterfield woman named amongst UK’s most impressive businesswomen

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‘It’s wonderful’, says Chesterfield woman named amongst UK’s most impressive businesswomen
Chesterfield business owner Lucinda White has been crowned one of the UK’s most impressive female entrepreneurs by Small Business Britain. Lucinda, who founded Pure Awards, a boutique award writing and content agency in 2005 is being profiled among 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs from across the country, as part of the campaign to celebrate the multi-achievements of women running businesses in the UK. She said: “I am thrilled to be recognised in this award and campaign for 2024. For the last three years I have had a client feature in the #IAlso 100 so it is really wonderful to be on the list for this year too. I am excited to get to know all the other wonderful female entrepreneurs in this community as the year unfolds. 2024 is going to be a fantastic year!”. From AI companies to female-run tradeswoman platforms and sustainable fashion designers, the Small Business Britain f:Entrepreneur ‘#IAlso100’ line-up particularly showcases trailblazing female founders who lead purpose-driven businesses alongside a roster of other responsibilities, such as volunteering, mentoring and community support. Lucinda was also called out for her success as a winning award writer, enabling businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the UK to benefit from hundreds of finalist positions and wins using her writing skills. She has also helped charities raise over £750,000 for good causes through grant applications and created content to showcase local and national brands. All of this whilst running a busy home and bringing up her two daughters with husband Matt. Launched in 2017 by Small Business Britain – the leading champion of small businesses in the UK – the f:Entrepreneur campaign aims to raise greater awareness of the impact of incredible female business owners across the country, and help provide inspiration and role models to the wider small business community.

Leicester wealth management company sees growth despite “complex macroeconomic backdrop”

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Leicester wealth management company sees growth despite “complex macroeconomic backdrop”
Revenue and pre-tax profits are on the rise at Mattioli Woods, the specialist wealth and asset management business, as demand increases for wealth management and financial planning advice driven by proposed pension and investment reforms, and market conditions. According to interim results for the six months ended 30 November 2023, revenue was up 8% to £59.1m, in comparison to £54.9m in the same period of the year prior. Meanwhile profit before tax grew 60% to £7.6m, up from £4.8m.

Ian Mattioli MBE, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The first six months of this financial year saw the Group deliver improved organic growth despite the complex macroeconomic backdrop that persisted throughout the period.

“Our priority remains the delivery of profitable organic growth and we are pleased to report further progress towards our medium-term strategic goals, with revenue of £59.1m up 8% on the equivalent period last year (1H23: £54.9m) driven by positive performance across our pensions advice and administration, employee benefits and investment management operating segments. 

“The success of our new business initiatives, combined with our expanding product range and the strength of existing client referrals resulted in organic revenue growth of 4% despite a 0.4% reduction in the value of total client assets to £15.2bn.

“The Group’s improved organic growth resulted from a combination of clients’ demand for advice and proactive communication by advisers, with a 13% increase in the value of new clients on boarded in the first half versus the equivalent period last year.

“The Group’s strong, integrated business model facilitates multiple engagement points in providing a holistic service to our clients and to generate multiple revenue streams to facilitate future revenue growth.

“The combination of improved organic growth, positive contributions from recent acquisitions and continued cost management delivered 10% growth in adjusted EBITDA to £16.5m (1H23: £15.0m).

“Profit before tax was up 60% to £7.6m (1H23: £4.8m), in part due to reduced deferred consideration payments recognised as remuneration expense under IFRS 3 of £2.5m (1H23: £3.9m) and lower acquisition-related costs of £0.3m (1H23: £0.5m), while adjusted profit before tax was up 15% to £15.6m (1H23: £13.5m) after adding back acquisition-related costs, platform project costs, deferred consideration recognised as an expense and amortisation of acquired intangible assets of £4.2m (1H23: £3.9m).          

“We believe the benefits of operating a responsibly integrated business allows us to secure great client outcomes while delivering strong, sustainable shareholder returns over the long term. The Board remains committed to a progressive dividend, while maintaining an appropriate level of dividend cover. Accordingly, the Board is pleased to announce an interim dividend of 9.0p per share (1H23: 8.8p) up 2.3%, demonstrating our desire to deliver value to shareholders.

“The first half of the financial year has seen the Group deliver a resilient trading performance against a complex macroeconomic backdrop. We plan to build on this position, advancing our key strategic initiatives: new business generation, investing in our adviser academy training programmes, developing our investment proposition, developing new products and services, reviewing our processes, and investing in technology to deliver operational efficiencies and growth through the integration of strategic acquisitions.

“Our trading outlook for the year remains in line with management’s expectations and we believe the Group remains well-positioned to take advantage of the growth opportunities in the UK wealth market and deliver sustainable returns for our stakeholders.”

Output volumes unchanged, while demand uncertainty and finance costs weigh on manufacturers’ investment plans

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Output volumes unchanged, while demand uncertainty and finance costs weigh on manufacturers’ investment plans
SME manufacturers reported unchanged output volumes for the second consecutive quarter in the three months to January, according to the CBI’s latest SME Trends survey. Total new orders fell slightly, with export orders down sharply. Firms expect new orders and output volumes to grow modestly over the next three months. Growth in average costs accelerated in the quarter to January, ending six consecutive quarters of steadily easing cost pressures. Costs growth remained well above average. However, both domestic and export prices were unchanged through the quarter, implying a squeeze on profitability. Against this background, investment intentions remain weak. SMEs plan to cut investment in buildings and plant & machinery over the year ahead. Around half of respondents cited demand uncertainty as a constraint on capital spending. Concerns around the availability of finance have also risen (internal and external finance), while the share of SMEs reporting the cost of finance as a barrier to investment rose to its highest since the 1990s (excluding the early stages of the pandemic). Investment in innovation is expected to be stable, while spending on training & retraining is expected to increase only slightly. Ben Jones, CBI Lead Economist, said: “Sentiment among SME manufacturers was flat around the turn of the year. Faced with stagnant demand, ongoing pressure on costs, a tighter financing environment and enduring difficulties finding the skills they need, firms are taking a hard look at their overheads and plan to cut back investment over the year ahead. “SME manufacturers nonetheless remain hopeful that activity will begin to revive in the coming months, after an exceptionally challenging 18 months. The Budget in early March provides an opportunity for the Chancellor to build on this sense of hope by taking further steps to firm up the foundations of future growth. “Following the encouraging announcements around capital expensing in the Autumn, firms will be looking for measures that can help address labour and skills shortages. Expanding non-taxable health support for employees by making Employee Assistance Programs (EPAs) a fully tax-free benefit would go some way to alleviate this. “Establishing a R&D tax credit scheme alongside a Net Zero Investment Plan would give business a competitive edge, supercharge investment in high-growth sectors and drive technology and innovation.” The survey, based on the responses of 237 SME manufacturing firms, found:
  • Business sentiment was unchanged in the three months to January after deteriorating sharply last quarter (balance of -2% from -17% in October). Export optimism also fell, at a slower pace than in the three months to October (-7% from -22% in October).
  • Output volumes were broadly unchanged in the quarter to January (balance of +1% from +2% in October) but are expected to rise modestly over the next three months (+8%).
    • Orders or sales were the most commonly cited factor likely to limit output in the next three months (65% from 64% in October).
    • The share of firms citing a shortage of materials or components was broadly stable (25% from 26% in October).
    • The share citing a shortage of skilled labour as a likely constraint on output fell (to 28% from 36% in October) but stands well above the long run average (18%).
    • The share citing credit or finance as a likely limit on output was broadly unchanged through the quarter (11% from 9% in October, matching the joint highest figure since October 2009, excluding the pandemic period).
  • Total new orders fell slightly in the three months to January (balance of -2% from +1% in October) and are expected to grow marginally in the next three months (+6%). Export orders fell sharply (-16% from 0% in October) and are expected to fall again in the next three months (-10%).
  • Growth in average costs per unit of output accelerated in the quarter to January, ending six consecutive quarters of slowing cost growth (balance of +43% from +30% in October). Costs are expected to rise at a similar pace over the next three months (+41%).
  • Domestic selling prices were unchanged (balance of +1%, from +7% in October). Export prices were also unchanged in the quarter (+3% from 0% in October). Domestic selling prices are expected to rise next quarter (+14%), and export selling prices are expected to remain unchanged (+3%).
  • Numbers employed increased at a modest pace in the quarter to January (+8% from -7%). SMEs expect headcounts to be unchanged in the next three months (0%).
  • Investment intentions for the year ahead were mixed. SME manufacturers expect to increase investment in training & retraining (+7% from +6%) and product & process innovation is expected to be unchanged (+2% from +3%). But investment in tangible assets such as buildings (-22%, unchanged from October) and plant & machinery (-12%, from -10%) is expected to fall.
  • The main constraint on investment was uncertainty about demand (cited by 53% of firms), followed by labour shortages (24%). Financing constraints on investment have risen to multi-decade highs with the cost of finance (23%, its highest since January 1991, excluding the pandemic) and a shortage of internal finance (also 23%, at its highest since October 2013, again excluding the pandemic period) standing well above their long-run averages.

EMR urges HGV drivers to know their vehicle’s height after last year saw 54 bridge strikes across its network

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EMR urges HGV drivers to know their vehicle’s height after last year saw 54 bridge strikes across its network
East Midlands Railway (EMR) is urging drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV), buses, and vans to fully understand the height of their vehicles after the railway operator was affected by 54 bridge strike incidents last year. Bridge strikes, where vehicles collide with bridges, continue to be a significant and recurring problem across EMR’s network. The operator has shared the top 10 most-hit bridges on its network in an effort to alert drivers to understand which structures regularly catch people out. The list includes a bridge on Debdale Lane (A6075) in Mansfield – which has been hit 40 times in the last ten years – and other hotspots such as the bridge in Rothwell Road in Kettering and Matlock Road in South Wingfield. Industry research has found that 43 per cent of HGV drivers admit to not measuring their vehicle before heading out on the road, and 52 per cent admit to not taking low bridges into account. On average, each strike costs the UK taxpayer around £13,000 and in 2023 the top ten bridge strikes in EMR’s region led to 3,325 minutes of delays alone. EMR is urging drivers to understand their vehicles’ height limits and guard against the causes of bridge strikes. These causes include:
  • Going off the line of route, including under diversion
  • Operating ‘not in service’ and taking a shortcut
  • Insufficient route knowledge returning a vehicle to the depot for maintenance
  • Those normally drive a single-deck vehicle taking a double-deck vehicle on a single-deck route
Michael Webb, Joint Head of Performance at East Midlands Railway, said: “Unfortunately, bridge strikes are a constant issue that affects our network each year. Drivers and rail customers may experience frustration and delayed journeys, but a bridge strike has the potential to cause a train derailment with catastrophic consequences as well as loss of life or serious injury to the vehicle driver, passengers, and other people nearby. “Those responsible for causing a bridge strike may be liable for costs associated with the incident, including the inspection and repair of the bridge and the cost of train delays, which can be considerable. “We have shared the top ten most-hit bridges across our network to raise awareness but we are also urging drivers to understand fully the height of their vehicle and not take any unnecessary risks – especially if they are on roads they are not familiar with.” Top 10 bridge strike locations in 2023  1. Mansfield – Debdale Lane (A6075) 2. Kettering – Rothwell Road 3. South Wingfield – Matlock Road (A615) 4. Syston – Fletton Bridge / High Street 5. Trowell – Stapleford Road (A6007) 6. Hinckley – Rugby Road (B4109) 7. Market Harborough – Scotland Road 8. Longton – Bridgewood Street 9. Sileby – King Street 10. Bull Bridge – Ambergate

Clowes Developments hand over £8m facility to Terinex Flexibles Ltd

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Clowes Developments hand over £8m facility to Terinex Flexibles Ltd
Clowes Developments, together with lead contractor Roe Developments, have achieved practical completion at plot 10A, a 46,000 sq ft unit for Terinex Flexibles Ltd, an OGM Holdings Group company at Dove Valley Park, Foston.
Following an extensive fit out period, the new £8m facility will become the new home of Terinex Flexibles, a supplier of printed flexible packaging films and solutions used within the food, pet food and medical packaging industries. The premises features production, warehousing and research and development facilities. The building also includes advanced sustainable energy systems to recover heat for re-use, and solar panels for generating power to operate the factory. OGM Holdings were keen from the outset to create one of the most sustainable, low carbon footprint, flexible packaging factories in the UK. Marc Freeman, Director at Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd, added: “Clowes Developments are delighted to hand the building over to Terinex Flexibles who are now pressing on with their bespoke fit out. The group are currently constructing a further 270,000 sq ft across Dove Valley Park which will enhance the existing offering for perspective occupants. “Dove Valley Park is a fantastic location for logistical enterprises, benefiting from easy access to the A50. The site continues to grow in popularity with occupiers creating valuable employment opportunities in South Derbyshire.” Dove Valley Park Ltd, a subsidiary of Clowes Developments, has been developing the business park for a number of years and is already home to occupiers including Top Hat, JCB, Müller, Futaba Ltd and GXO. Paul Wightman, Group Managing Director of the OGM Group, said: “Our new location for Terinex Flexibles will facilitate the further growth of our business and we are looking forward to adding to our team in South Derbyshire. “The new site provides more than double the size of our existing factory and will accommodate new equipment, our expanding team and increased R&D capabilities to benefit our food, petfood and medical packaging customers. Reducing the environmental impact of industry in the UK is both a moral obligation and a business necessity. “Our aspiration was to build the UK’s best flexible packaging factory with the lowest environmental footprint producing very high quality products, it’s great to see our vision come to life and we look forward to moving in once the fit out process is complete.”

Over a third of mid-sized businesses in UK unable to recruit apprentices

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Over a third of mid-sized businesses in UK unable to recruit apprentices
Over a third of mid-sized businesses in the UK would like to hire apprentices but do not have sufficient resources or guidance to do so, according to new data from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO. BDO’s bi-monthly survey of more than 500 mid-sized businesses reveals that almost a third (32%) of respondents want to hire more apprentices but the costs associated are too high, with the same number wanting more guidance on how to go about it. The same number of respondents (32%) most want to see support from a future government to resolve staff or skills shortages including reform to the apprenticeship levy. This came as a higher priority than tax breaks and regulatory changes, demonstrating its importance to the businesses that sit at the heart of the UK’s economy. Less than one in five respondents claim to regularly hire apprentices through the Apprenticeship Levy, with high costs (32%) and a lack of guidance (32%) cited as the main barriers to doing so. Yet desire remains strong amongst businesses – a quarter of respondents said they would increase their hiring habits if they could work more closely with local schools and colleges in order to shape an apprenticeship programme. Apprenticeship hiring levels vary significantly across the UK’s mid-market. Nearly double the number of respondents in the North West (33%) said they needed support with the skills gap, compared to their counterparts in London. Other areas with a high number of businesses requiring additional funding and guidance to start hiring include the South West (42%) and East Midlands (40%), suggesting there remains some regional imbalance in opportunities to access training programmes. Skills shortages remain a challenge for mid-sized businesses across the board, with almost a quarter (24%) citing that they cannot find people with the right skills because of the region they work in. This jumps to almost a third of businesses in the North West (33%) and the North East (31%). In addition to regional cold spots, certain industries record significantly lower levels of understanding when it comes to the process of apprenticeship hiring. Almost two in five (38%) mid-market real estate companies claimed they would hire apprentices if they had more guidance on how to start a programme and 43% of technology and media companies, both high growth areas of the economy. Richard Austin, partner at BDO, said: “As we celebrate National Apprenticeship week, the importance of apprentices to the economic growth of this country is not lost on anyone, least of all the businesses at the heart of our economy. “These businesses are responsible for more than 8 million jobs, the equivalent of one in four across the UK and with the right level of targeted support, together we can help these businesses kick start their hiring; boosting the number of high quality opportunities on offer to our younger generations and providing the skills the UK so desperately needs.”

STEP’s first West Burton office opens

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STEP’s first West Burton office opens
The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has opened its first office building at West Burton in Nottinghamshire to support the development of the UK’s prototype fusion energy plant, STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production). The building was opened by a member of West Burton’s security team, Rebecca Parry, from Gainsborough, the third generation of Parry family to be employed at the site over the last six decades. Speaking at the opening event, Rebecca Parry said: “I am very honoured to have been asked to officially open the first STEP building on site. In our family, West Burton is close to all our hearts. “My grandfather, David Parry, would be extremely proud that our family were chosen to help celebrate the opening ceremony and in turn I’m so delighted that my daughter Erin can see what our family have achieved through the decades. I hope it inspires her for her future career.” Rebecca was joined at West Burton by her five-year-old daughter, Erin, who attends a local primary school in Gainsborough, along with her father, John Parry, who worked in the control room as part of the operations team. Her grandfather, David Parry, helped to build the site in the 1960s. Paul Methven, CEO of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS), the subsidiary of UKAEA Group being set up to lead delivery of STEP, said: “Today’s modest beginnings mark an important milestone for the STEP programme and delivery of a revolutionary new energy source that could be transformative for climate change in addition to creating thousands of jobs for the region. “I would like to thank Rebecca and family for joining us today and for representing the many multi-generational families that have been part of West Burton’s past and present, and who will continue to be part of West Burton’s future.” Members of local district councils from Bassetlaw and West Lindsey in addition to Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire County Council joined Midlands Engine and EDF representatives to mark the occasion. The temporary office building (330 sq. mt) will house the local STEP team and project staff as they work on the plans to deliver the prototype fusion energy plant, a first of its kind. STEP is expected to pave the way to the commercialisation of fusion – based on the same process that powers the Sun – and the potential development of a fleet of future plants around the world.

New partnership to deliver 260 new suburban build-to-rent homes

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New partnership to deliver 260 new suburban build-to-rent homes
Legal & General’s Suburban Build-to-Rent business (LGSBTR) and Miller Homes have joined forces to deliver 260 new Suburban Build-to-Rent homes in Northamptonshire.
The 260 homes are largely comprised of two- and three-bed houses featuring air-source heat pumps and solar panelling, with the first handover of units expected to take place in March 2024 and final handovers in Q3 2027. The homes are part of masterplans which will provide not only new homes but also new community facilities, schools, and employment space, in well-connected locations. LGSBTR is owned by Legal & General Capital (LGC), the alternative asset platform of Legal & General Group. David Reid, Managing Director, Legal & General SBTR, said: “We’re delighted to begin a new strategic partnership with Miller Homes, simultaneously creating assets for our annuity division and other pension schemes and addressing the significant demand for quality rental housing across the UK. “Now more than ever, we must deliver diverse residential offerings, to better accommodate the broad range of different households that exist in the market. This includes the provision of reliable, long-term rental options. At LGSBTR we are determined to meet that need with high-quality, well-managed, and thoughtfully designed properties to help people live healthy and happy lives.” Benjamin Massey, Divisional Managing Director, Miller Homes, said: “This marks the start of an exciting long-term partnership. We are pleased to have agreed a deal with L&G to deliver 260 single-family, build-to-rent homes in Northamptonshire alongside our ongoing work to provide high quality homes in key regional markets across the UK.
“Moving forward, the inclusion of Build-to-Rent homes as part of our business model will allow us to continue to diversify our portfolio, whilst creating new opportunities for land acquisition and supporting our overall growth ambitions.”

Right Legal Group secures growth investment

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Right Legal Group secures growth investment
Derby-based Right Legal Group, which provides will writing and probate legal services across the UK, has secured growth investment from Vespa Capital. Established in 2014, Right Legal has supported over 30,000 clients through its RightWill service which provides a platform for people to preserve their financial assets and emotional wishes for future generations. Right Legal has an ambitious growth strategy to invest in technology and product development, augmenting the team, further developing its training academy, and accelerating the organic growth plan through M&A. Led by an experienced management team comprising of Carrie Caladine, CEO, and Mike Simpson, chief innovation officer, Right Legal’s 160 staff are passionate about providing tailored advice to its clients. Right Legal is also welcoming Derek Mapp who will join as chairman. Derek has considerable experience as a CEO and chairman of technology-enabled service businesses and was introduced to Right Legal from Vespa Capital’s entrepreneur network. The Vespa Capital deal team included Nigel Hammond, Katya Hawrylak, Luke Burton and Keelin O’Sullivan.
Carrie Caladine, CEO of Right Legal, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Vespa Capital. They have a strong track record in helping companies such as ours reach their growth potential and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable as we commence the next part of our journey. “Our team have worked so hard over the first 10 years to establish our first-rate service and business model, and we look forward to building on the strong foundations and helping many more clients to preserve their legacies.” Luke Burton, investment director at Vespa Capital, said: “Carrie, Mike, and the broader team at Right Legal have built a quality-leading, innovative, and differentiated leader in the will writing and probate sector. “From our first interaction we were continually impressed by Right Legal’s expertise and high standards, their professionalism, and their drive to disrupt and innovate for the benefit of their customers. “We are excited to support Right Legal’s ambitions by backing their growth strategy and investing in their team, technology, and product development to continue to deliver high-quality customer service.” Right Legal’s shareholders were advised by Arrowpoint Advisory, Geldards LLP, Mazars LLP and Fairgrove Partners. Vespa Capital was advised by Squire Patton Boggs, Grant Thornton, CISOselect, Continuum and Lockton UK.
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