Lincolnshire-based commercial design and fit specialist APSS has completed a luxury private dining and games lounge as part of the final phase of a £3 million refurbishment to the main building at Bainland Lodge Retreats.
The rural retreat improvements included transforming an existing area into a private dining room and a snug, plus designing and installing a mezzanine floor to create additional space for a games lounge.
As part of ‘The Garden Room’ dining scheme the team created new walls, floors, a double-height ceiling and large glass exterior. The room features bespoke joinery to providing a little extra luxury for guests. This includes a new servery station with copper worktop, large 24-person dining table and credenza media unit. Acoustic partition walls were installed to ensure guests have privacy in the intimate dining area.
Refurbished games lounge at Bainland Lodge Retreats with a pool table
In the games lounge the ceilings, walls and floors were constructed with acoustics in mind. The space was fitted with a pool table and an interactive dart board.
In the snug they installed traditional Georgian style panelling, a media unit along with the client’s upholstered designer furniture.
All three new areas have ‘call for service’ buzzers installed.
The finalised snug featuring the Georgian panelling delivered by APSS
John Bysouth, Senior Project Manager, said: “The ability for guests to continue to enjoy their stay at the luxury lodges without being disturbed whilst work was carried out was crucial. APSS was able to install an acoustic wall to significantly reduce the noise of any works going on so that Bainland customers would hardly notice we were there.
“We have enjoyed working closely with Bainland Lodge Retreats to transform its space into a luxury dining and entertainment environment for their customers to create unforgettable experiences with friends and family.”
Nick Rouse, Finance and Operations Director from Bainland, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the APSS team. We appreciate their friendly patient approach to undertaking the challenge of a build project on a fully operational holiday park. They provided expertise and sound advice on how to move the project forward and delivered a successful stunning final product.
“These guys are professionals – that’s why we have engaged them on other major projects at Bainland for completion in 2024.”
An award-winning producer of black puddings has been acquired by a Buxton artisan speciality food group.
Panicium has acquired The Bury Black Pudding Company (BBP) for an undisclosed sum.
The deal follows Panicium’s acquisitions of handmade cakes and biscuits producer Margaret Hall and specialist potted meats and spreads manufacturer Binghams Food in 2018 and 2021 respectively.
A multi-disciplinary team at HURST advised on the acquisition. Lauren Roberts and Danielle Tierney of HURST Corporate Finance and HURST tax partner Liz Gallagher advised BBP, and Ben Bradley and Isabelle Bennett of HURST Corporate Finance provided M&A and debt advisory expertise.
Ben said: “This is another fantastic deal for Panicium which enables the previous owners of The Bury Black Pudding Company to de-risk, and provides the business with lots of growth opportunities under new ownership.
“I look forward to seeing The Bury Black Pudding Company and Panicium go from strength to strength, with further acquisitions in the pipeline.”
BBP, founded by Managing Director Debbie Pierce, has expanded into a business with turnover of £11.5m, employing 122 staff operating from a 25,400 sq ft factory in Bury.
Graham Norfolk, one of Panicium’s founding directors, said it remains business as usual for BBP and its workforce, adding that the group would invest to further grow the newly-acquired company and build on its strong foundations by introducing new product ranges, increasing its market share and expanding and developing customer relationships.
Debbie and production director Richard Morris remain in their roles and join Panicium’s senior management team following the acquisition.
Debbie said: “Having steadily grown our sales and developed new business, Richard and I decided that it was time to start the next phase of business growth through becoming part of a group that is committed to the quality of its products and maintaining the family values of which we are so proud.
“BBP is poised for step-change growth and will benefit from investment and market extension available through the Panicium group.
“Our product range is complementary to the Panicium strategy and we share a number of routes to market. Ultimately, our products are consumed by people who love artisan, quality food. We look forward to working with the Panicium team to develop the group’s position as a leading supplier of quality foods.”
Graham Norfolk said: “The Bury Black Pudding Company makes artisan, high-quality, delicious products with a distinctive brand, and complements Panicium’s strategy of acquiring companies in the UK artisan food sector to develop a portfolio of brands characterised by their hand-made, high-quality nature with a distinctly regional identity.”
Project management and property consultancy company Capital and Provincial has been sold to Bellrock Group.
Established in 2010, Capital and Provincial provides client-focused and results-led project management, quantity surveying and property consulting services to a wide client base, from international corporations to developers and individuals across the UK and Europe.
The company has a team of more than 20 consultants at its offices in Farnham, Surrey, and central London having become one of the leading operators in its industry, serving clients in the South of England in the corporate, hotel, hospitality, residential, technical and education sectors.
Bellrock Group, headquartered in Leicester, is a provider of specialist risk-focused workplace and property management solutions with a turnover of £170million.
Its team of 1,600 property and facilities professionals is located at 70 sites across the UK, working on behalf of clients with access to 700 carefully selected suppliers.
“I’m excited by the opportunities the acquisition holds for us,” said Andrew Chisholm, Capital and Provincial Managing Director.
“Being part of the Bellrock Group will open the door to scale and capabilities, whilst keeping the things that make us successful – our people, our relationships and our culture.
“This package will enable us to strengthen our offering to our clients and continue to deliver our growth ambitions.
“With exposure to new sectors, regions and clients, I’m especially positive about the career development potential for our Capital and Provincial people who make me proud every day.
“It’s an exciting time for our clients and people alike.”
Paul Bean, Bellrock Group CEO, added: “Capital and Provincial’s stable of loyal clients and enviable portfolio is testament to the depth of their capabilities and their exacting standards in delivering successful projects for clients who can now benefit from the offerings of the wider Bellrock Group.
“I look forward to collaborating with the team as we explore the exciting opportunities ahead.”
Daniel DiMarco, KBS Corporate Deal Executive who oversaw the transaction, explained Capital and Provincial had been keen to explore the market to see what was achievable to help drive the growth of the business and release equity.
“The company received a good amount of interest and eventually decided to move forwards with Bellrock Group, which is backed by private equity,” said Daniel.
“This was due to them believing in the potential for synergy, as well as being excited by the idea of being part of a larger group of companies and continuing to drive the business forwards.
“Bellrock has acquired a well-respected and profitable company which has been successful for over a decade, with a team of four highly knowledgeable and experienced directors that had built up a significant and loyal client base.
“I believe the outlook for the companies is extremely bright and I’m sure they will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Housebuilder Honey aims to deliver a combined total of 563 new build homes on three sites across the East Midlands.
The housebuilder has exchanged contracts on a site in Duckmanton and acquired sites in Edwinstowe and Killamarsh to deliver three proposed developments which will have a combined gross development value of £170m.
Located on Tom Lane on the outskirts of Duckmanton and adjacent to the M1, Pearl will deliver a £78m, 275 new home development, subject to planning. The proposed development will comprise a mix of two-, three-, four- and five bedroom homes and will include terraces, semi-detached and detached properties.
On an 11-acre site located off Upperthorpe Road in Killamarsh, Honey intends to deliver a £50m, 174 new home development. The land was acquired from land and property regeneration company Harworth Group.
Subject to planning, the site, which will be called Aurelle, will comprise a mix of semi-detached and detached one-, two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes.
Homes by honey at Thoresby Vale in Edwinstowe will deliver a £42m, 114 new home development comprising a mix of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes including semi-detached and detached properties.
The housebuilder’s proposed development is part of the wider Thoresby Vale masterplan, located off Ollerton Road. Once complete, the new sustainable community will comprise 800 new homes, a new primary school, a local centre and up to 250,000 sq ft of commercial space. The site was also purchased from Harworth Group.
Plans have been already submitted for the proposed development in Edwinstowe, with planning expected to be submitted for the sites in Duckmanton and Killamarsh early this year.
Honey Chief Executive Officer, Mark Mitchell, said: “Our proposed developments in Derbyshire and the East Midlands will provide much needed new homes for people living in, or wanting to move to, Duckmanton, Edinstowe and Killamarsh.
“We have painstakingly designed a range of house types that combine style, substance and sustainability. This ensures our buyers, and the wider community in which we build, benefit from a high quality, high specification development.
“We are excited by the opportunity to make our vision for our developments a reality and we now look forward to our plans being considered by the relevant local authorities.”
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has sold the New Bath Hotel near Matlock Bath, Derbyshire.
Set within 4.5 acres on the edge of the Peak District National Park and close to the tourist hotspot of Matlock Bath, the hotel features 54 bedrooms, with bar, restaurant and conferencing facilities, as well as a spa. There is also a spring water fed open-air swimming pool.
The hotel has been acquired by Deventure Hotels & Resorts, an Indian based conglomerate that is expanding into the UK hotels market. There is potential to create additional letting bedrooms, subject to planning permission, as well as develop the tourism trade, focusing on weddings, which the group intend to look into.
Rohan Mukul, a spokesperson for the group, said: “We are happy that the New Bath Hotel & Spa marks our inaugural venture in the UK. Nestled in a perfect location with a rich history, it boasts unique features such as the 1930s outdoor pool and a 19th-century indoor pool, both fed by natural spring water.
“Despite the current need for service enhancements, we recognise the immense potential of this business. Our strategic plan includes a comprehensive refurbishment, with a planned re-launch scheduled ahead of the summer season in 2024.
“Christie & Co played a pivotal role in this venture, and we look forward to collaborating with them in future again. This marks the beginning of our journey to further expand and establish a significant presence in the British hospitality market.”
Gavin Webb, associate director at Christie & Co who handled the sale, said: “We are delighted to have completed the sale. The transaction is yet another example of a good quality hotel being sold by Christie & Co in Derbyshire. The regional market remains positive and buyer appetite is strong for similar opportunities.”
Willshee’s Waste & Recycling has been appointed by construction company TopHat to undertake a major waste management contract that showcases sustainability in practice.
TopHat produces low carbon modular homes. With ambitions to significantly increase output when it begins operations in its new factory in Corby in 2024, TopHat is committed to significantly reducing its percentage of waste. Zero waste to landfill is now a given and the focus is on using insight to maximise the amount of reused materials and the most responsible disposal methods possible.
TopHat group supply chain & logistics director Rachel Beech said: “We have been hugely impressed with the slick operation and level of technology at Willshee’s MRF site and also, in particular, the effort that goes into researching and implementing the reuse of materials. Waste wood, for example, goes to a manufacturer of chipboard – of which we need huge amounts!
“Once a month, we study the data provided through Willshee’s customer portal and look at trends and examine ways to further improve efficiencies in manufacturing. The insight has helped us to reduce the volume of materials such as timber and plasterboard that we dispose of.
“Having understood more about waste quantities, we have invested in new software that allows us to process the raw material in a more economical way – resulting in less waste.
“Seeing the stats for the amount of cardboard we handle was another learning, we now rent an onsite compactor from Willshee’s which reduces the number of waste collections, and subsequently reduces our costs.
“Simple things too, like the layout of our bins, have also been improved. And this commitment to learning and continuous improvement will remain a core part of our strategy as we embark on our next stage of growth.”
Dean Willshee, Managing Director at Burton-based Willshee’s, says: “We feel very pleased and privileged to be working with this innovative, highly sustainable business. At the heart of our partnership with TopHat is following a solutions-based strategy that’s hard-wired into the insight provided via the customer portal.
“This approach uses live data to drive business decisions about how to reuse more materials and reduce waste. This is complemented by a programme that delivers the most responsible methods of disposing with waste to support the company’s commitment to continually improving their carbon footprint.”
On behalf of private clients, FHP Property Consultants have let 4 Riverside Court, Pride Park, Derby to L.E.A.D. IT Services Ltd.
The property comprises a two storey detached office building with parking. The accommodation provides a mix of cellular and open plan offices set across two floors comprising 391m2 (4,187ft2).
The property has been let to L.E.A.D. IT Services Ltd on a new lease following a simultaneous lease surrender.
Darran Severn from FHP Property Consultants says: “We were initially instructed by the existing tenant to dispose of their unexpired lease. They had several years remaining and were looking to limit their liability onwardly.
“Following a comprehensive marketing campaign, we were pleasingly able to place property with L.E.A.D. IT Services who have taken a new lease releasing our client from their ongoing liability. This was an excellent result for our client, L.E.A.D. IT Services and the landlord who benefitted by us securing a new long lease.”
Sarah Thompson from L.E.A.D. IT Services says: “At L.E.A.D. IT Services, we’ve long awaited this move, and it’s been an incredibly fulfilling journey for our entire team. Our new building represents a milestone, offering us the ideal space in a fantastic location to support our expanding team and client base.
“In addition, the training room we now have creates avenues for us to engage in hands-on training and development for the schools and businesses we support, which has always been important to us. The next step involves working together on refurbishments, making it our very own, and paving the way for the exciting projects and opportunities that lie ahead in our future.”
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead. It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.Here we speak to Simon Bond, Director at Bond Legal Limited.
There is no doubt that 2024 looks set to be a year of change and uncertainty in relation to HR and employment law.
Employers will need to grapple with a substantial quantity of new legislation that is expected to come into force throughout the year. A combination of new rights for employees and additional duties for employees include:
changes to the way in which employees can make flexible working requests;
additional protections from redundancy for pregnant employees and those on maternity and other family leave;
a new right for carers to take one week’s unpaid care leave each year;
the statutory right for those on zero-hour contracts to request a more predictable working pattern;
a new duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment;
the introduction of 12 weeks’ paid leave for the parents of babies in neonatal care;
changes to the rules around the calculation and payment of holiday pay;
provisions allowing direct consultation with employees under the TUPE regulations; and
increases to the rates of the national minimum wage.
Further legislative change is likely as a General Election looms. If the Labour party win, they have pledged to introduce an Employment Rights Bill within their first 100 days of office, which is likely to unveil far reaching changes.
I predict that the economy will also have a significant impact within the workplace next year. According to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), 30% of employers may make redundancies in the next year as a result of financial challenges, so it’s a good idea to get your employee handbooks up to date so that both employers and employees know where they stand on all HR matters.
It will no doubt be another interesting year ahead.
For more information on protecting your organisation with Employment Law and HR Consultancy expertise, visit Bond Legal at https://www.bondlegal.co.uk/.
With a 27 place climb since they first entered The Lawyer publication’s prestigious UK200 rankings in 2019, Sills & Betteridge LLP are now in position 160 – with growth of 15% on the previous year placing the firm in the top 10 best performing firms in the country.
The report is seen as the benchmark for anyone with a serious interest in the business of law. It comprises months of detailed, impartial research into the firm’s financial performance, characteristics of its service delivery and analysis of its people – looking forensically at diversity, progression and development.
Chief Executive Martyn Hall said: “A combination of factors has led to these results, but they are principally due to organic growth, our acquisition of niche matrimonial practice Acclaimed Family Law of Sheffield, the recruitment of several senior fee earners across the firm and continuous efficiency initiatives across our working practices and operations.”
But it’s not just about financial performance, the firm is also recognised in the gender analysis section of the report with another top 10 position for a notable number of female partners (60%) and female lawyers (64%) working across the firm. Karen Bower-Brown now goes into her 3rd year as Senior Partner – the first female Senior Partner in the firm’s 265 year history.
Other highlights for Sills & Betteridge in 2023 included the Legal 500 Legal Directory results which saw the firm retain two prized accolades – Leading Law Firm and Top Tier Family Law Team, with a record 10 teams making the list and 30 individual lawyers. The firm also won the Solicitor Firm of the Year at the British Wills & Probate Awards and Children Team of the Year at the national Family Law Awards.
Plans for 2024 include the relocation of the firm’s Sleaford, Sheffield and Northampton operations, significant refurbishment of its Boston premises and continued investment in its people and delivery of excellent service.
Mid-market corporate finance boutique, Provantage, with offices in Nottingham and Birmingham, has welcomed Maria Thomas as partner, to bolster its presence in the Midlands. Maria brings a wealth of experience advising shareholders, directors, and private equity over a 16-year career focusing on the mid-market.
Maria joins from Grant Thornton. Her experience of cross border transactions, the local market, as well as her knowledge across a broad range of sectors will complement the continuing growth and success of the Provantage Team.
Maria said: “I am delighted to be joining such a high performing and successful team and look forward to helping drive the business on its next phase of growth. It’s a great time to be joining the team on the back of their recent deal successes, including the sale of Alpha Instrumatics to Halma Plc and Foresight Group’s exit of Datapath.
“Provantage has built an enviable culture with a focus on client delivery and the development of lasting partnerships, something that very much mirrors my approach.”
Her arrival signals Provantage’s ongoing commitment to the Midlands market with further investment to grow the team expected over the next 12 months.
Jamie Hope added: “I am thrilled Maria has joined us, she will be a great addition to an already hugely talented team here at Provantage. It is an exciting time in our evolution, which is reflected by the fact we have been able to attract an adviser of Maria’s experience and calibre.
“Despite the challenging market conditions, we enter 2024 with a strong pipeline and look forward to a very active and successful year supporting our clients.”
The headline NatWest East Midlands PMI® Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – posted 50.7 in December, up notably from 47.1 in November, to signal a return to growth in output at firms across the region.
The rise in business activity was the quickest since May 2023, albeit slower than the UK average. Anecdotal evidence suggested that increased output was due to signs of improvement in demand conditions and efforts to clear backlogs.
December data signalled only a marginal contraction in new orders at East Midlands firms. The rate of decline softened for the second month running and was the slowest since July. Nonetheless, the decline in new business was linked to subdued demand conditions and economic uncertainty.
The decrease in new orders in the East Midlands contrasted with the wider UK trend which indicated the fastest rise in new business since May.
East Midlands companies recorded a slight pick up in the level of optimism regarding the year-ahead outlook for output in December. Expectations of greater activity stemmed from hopes of an improvement in customer demand, a more focused approach to marketing and investment in facilities. Although stronger than in November, the degree of confidence was below the long-run series average and the UK trend level.
Firms in the East Midlands registered a sixth successive monthly drop in employment during December. That said, the pace of job shedding eased to only a slight rate that was the slowest in the aforementioned sequence of decline. Companies reportedly cut workers in a bid to reduce costs, but some noted that staff growth was due to the hiring of temporary workers.
Companies in the East Midlands saw a slower fall in employment compared to the UK average.
The level of outstanding business at firms in the East Midlands fell further at the end of 2023, thereby extending the current sequence of decline which began in October 2022. Companies continued to state that lower new orders allowed them to work through existing business. The pace of contraction was solid but eased to the slowest since June.
The decrease in work-in-hand was led by manufacturers, as service providers registered a faster rise in incomplete business.
December data signalled a marked rise in input prices across the East Midlands private sector. Business expenses increased at the fastest pace in three months, and at a rate that was sharper than the series average. Hikes in input costs were attributed to greater wage bills, higher utility prices and increased component costs.
The pace of increase in input prices was the second-fastest of the 12 monitored UK regions, with only London recording a steeper uptick.
Selling prices at East Midlands businesses rose at a steep rate at the end of 2023. The increase in output charges was the quickest for six months and sharper than the series average. Firms reportedly sought to pass through costs to customers amid a faster uptick in input prices. The pace of inflation was broadly in line with the UK average.
Rashel Chowdhury, NatWest Midlands and East Regional Board, said: “East Midlands firms ended 2023 on a slightly better note, as output returned to expansion and the decline in new orders softened for a second successive month to only a marginal pace. Firms noted signs of improvement in demand conditions, but continued to highlight that economic uncertainty weighed on customers’ minds.
“Glimmers of hope regarding future demand led to only a fractional drop in employment despite a marked contraction in outstanding work.
“Meanwhile, inflationary pressures gained momentum as input prices and output charges rose at the fastest rates for three and six months, respectively. Greater utility costs and hikes in wage bills placed strain on margins, with paces of increase historically elevated which may constrain customer spending further in the opening months of 2024.”
A fortnight into the new year the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre has had a chance to reflect on its inaugural Christmas networking event which brought together the EMCRC’s wider network of partners and stakeholders.
The event was hosted by Nelsons solicitors – Community Ambassadors of the Centre, and whose Partner Kevin Modiri advises the Board.
EMCRC Chairman Chief Superintendent Dave Kirby delivered a welcome address to the network where he discussed the important work the Centre is undertaking before handing over to MD Colin Ellis.
He said: “To really help protect our businesses, schools and charities to stay secure online we at the EMCRC and policing need to work together with those sectors to understand the needs and the complexities of those organisations.
“Our CRC network is made up of a broad church for this reason, who have a wide breadth of experience, capability and reach. We are not just made up of cyber security professionals, we have industry professionals from diverse sectors with diverse skills, all of whom recognise the threat to business that cyber and online crime bring.
“Getting our partners all together in a room was really important to talk about the work we are doing to support SMEs and devise how we can better reach and help all organisations across the east midlands. Its also really important to acknowledge that a collaborative approach is needed to achieve this. All our partners and friends understand this and often give up their own time to help – so it was nice to be able to thank them too.”
Some of the first homes built to a new pioneering energy-efficient standard have been unveiled in Nottinghamshire.
The housing development, built to the indicative version of the Future Homes Standard, has been given the seal of approval by the new Housing and Communities Minister.
Baroness Penn recently visited The Gedling Green development in Nottingham, located at the site of the former Gedling Colliery.
The collection of 33 homes use air source heat pumps for their hot water and heating, have solar panels, electric vehicle charging points and increased insulation compared to homes built to existing standards.
The homes are also fully electrified, meaning they will be zero-carbon in use once the electricity grid decarbonises.
Minister for Housing and Communities Baroness Penn said: “It was fantastic to visit the Gedling Green development in Nottingham and see first-hand the future of energy efficient homes.
“The Future Homes Standard will not only make homes more energy efficient, reducing energy bills compared to a typical home, but crucially will reduce carbon emissions, supporting us in our goal to reach Net Zero by 2050.”
Tim Beale, CEO at Keepmoat, said: “We were thrilled to host Baroness Penn at our Gedling Green development in Nottingham where all the homes have been built to meet the requirements of the Future Homes Standard ahead of its introduction in 2025. Gedling Green is the first development in the UK to offer homes built to this specification for sale on the open market.
“The Sales Centre at this development includes an area dedicated to educating customers about the key features and technologies. This will support our customers in achieving a significant reduction in energy bills compared to a typical new home built to the previous regulatory standards.”
From 2025, the Future Homes Standard, currently being consulted on by the Government, will become mandatory and ensure that new homes produce, on average, upwards of 75% less CO2 emissions than those built to the 2013 standards.
This will ensure new homes are more energy efficient, leading to a reduction in energy bills compared to typical existing homes, and help the Government meets its Net Zero target.
From 2025, new homes will be future proofed with low carbon heating and very high fabric standards and will be ‘zero-carbon ready’, meaning no further work will be required for them to become zero-carbon when the electricity grid decarbonises.
An East Midlands liquid vitamin, nutrients and minerals manufacturer is marking a year of success with a new office in Nottingham.
Nutrivitality Limited has relocated from Derby to an 80,000-square-foot facility on Sherwood Business Park, which is shared by its sister company Surescreen Diagnostics and its beauty and collagen brand SKINGLO.
Comprised of a modern, purpose-built manufacturing unit, the site will have the capability to produce high volume mixing, bottling and vial filling, and sachet packing, producing two to three million products of vitamins, supplements and collagen daily, as well as house staff across both businesses.
John Knox, Managing Director of Nutrivitality, said: “We started to outgrow our previous site in Derby and driven by our needs for increased capacity and the expansion of our ever-growing customer base, we decided to relocate to Nottingham.
“The new site allows us to have everything under one roof, including a fully equipped research and development laboratory, approximately 20,000 square feet of manufacturing space, with aseptic spaces, impressive warehousing facilities, as well as commercial functions such as marketing and sales. There is also ample room for further expansion.”
The site, based at Lucinda House, employs approximately 35 people at Nutrivitality, and a further 40 staff members in Surescreen Diagnostics and group shared services. Nutrivitality is also responsible for the development and manufacturing capabilities of CMX Solutions, the white label and contract manufacturing division of the business.
John added: “This is a hugely important next step in our business growth, and we look forward to continuing servicing our existing brand consumers, as well as our growing number of contract manufacturing partners, health and wellness retailers and export distributors.”
Led by the Institute for Aerospace Technology, the University of Nottingham has been announced as the first UK university to become an Associated Member of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (CAJU) – the EU’s leading research and innovation programme for making the aviation industry ready for a sustainable future.
The announcement comes just one year after the university received initial funding of ten million pounds to fund its research into the future of aviation.
As one of just 20 new Associated Members to join across Europe, the university will engage with the Clean Aviation programme on a long-term basis and, together with the European Commission and other CAJU private members, lead the way towards climate-neutral aviation.
Professor Pat Wheeler, Director of Clean Aviation Programmes, said: “This is excellent news for the University of Nottingham, as it will enable us to continue our ambition to turn research and reality and achieve net zero aviation.”
Professor Wheeler continued: “We have generated an amazing amount of impact in the aviation industry, as a result of ongoing involvement in the Clean Sky JTI programmes, and we look forward to continuing our work towards net zero in air travel with the Clean Aviation programme and our new status in this exciting endeavour.”
Being an Associated Member provides the university with a seat on the Technical Committee, allowing it to provide expertise and guidance on future funding and roadmaps for the ongoing Clean Aviation programme.
Axel Krein, Executive Director at the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, said: “I warmly welcome the University of Nottingham as a new Associated Member. The university’s broad aerospace expertise and excellent test facilities position it to translate innovative ideas into practical applications, thereby enhancing our collective efforts to effectively deliver Clean Aviation’s sustainable aviation objectives.”
Scott Bader UK, a Northamptonshire-based specialist in composite, adhesive and polymer materials, has revealed intentions to invest £30m to transform its flagship UK manufacturing site.
The five-year programme will commence in 2024 with £8m earmarked for the first phase of the works. This planned investment will support the group’s UK customers by making the plant more flexible – enabling quicker lead times and the rapid scaling up of an increasing number of sustainable alternatives to the group’s current products as well as new performance products in areas such as 3D printing.
“The planned investment reaffirms our commitment to the UK composite supply chain and to all our colleagues, partners and associates that benefit from our long-standing presence at Wollaston,” says Scott Bader’s CEO, Kevin Matthews. “In addition, the investment will upgrade our capability to continue to develop and supply new sustainable performance materials designed to help our customers on their journey to net zero.”
Alongside allocating the capital to transform its UK site, the company has also created a €2m laboratory facility in France, which will open in Q1 2024. Outside of Europe, Scott Bader’s two-year build of a $16m new manufacturing facility in Mocksville, USA, also becomes fully operational in 2024.
Law firm Geldards is moving into Nottingham city centre to support its ambitions for business growth and client delivery.
The firm’s 90-strong Nottingham team is moving into a bespoke space at the Cubo Work offices next to Royal Standard Place – a landmark building at the heart of the city’s business quarter overlooking Nottingham Castle.
The move marks the next step in Geldards’ strategy of using new technologies and new ways of working to deliver an increasingly agile and responsive service. It is also being seen as a vote of confidence in Nottingham’s status as a hub for high-quality professional services in the East Midlands.
Geldards’ decision to move into the city centre follows a year of strong performance where revenue has enjoyed double-digit growth, and significant new hires have come on board, among them new partners Neil Walker and Jay Atubra, strengthening the firm’s property and networks teams respectively.
David Williams, Geldards’ chairman and head of the Nottingham office, said: “The way we deliver for our clients has been changing significantly over the past few years and that evolution towards a more agile and responsive service has been accelerated by the pandemic.
“We’ve looked carefully at the best ways for our people to deliver for clients and colleagues, and the conclusion is clear: provide our teams with the tools to deliver wherever they are, supported by a destination that reflects both Geldards’ status and our willingness to do things differently.
“We have been working with Cubo for the past few months to develop a purpose-built space that sets a new standard and supports our future ambitions, and we’re all excited about the fact that it brings Geldards into the city centre. Our business is defined by its talent and expertise, and we believe this move will help us continue to attract the best people as we grow.”
The new offices at Standard Court – which include a rotunda looking out across the city – place Geldards at the heart of Nottingham’s business quarter and close to a range of professional services the firm frequently collaborates with. It is also next to the University of Law, a critical stakeholder and important source of legal talent for the future.
Geldards also has a major office presence at Pride Park in Derby, and will be announcing plans to evolve and enhance its presence in the city in the Spring.
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead. It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.Here we speak to Chris Hobson, director of policy and insight at East Midlands Chamber.
Uncertainty has been a constant theme over the past few years and it doesn’t look like disappearing from the menu for 2024.
Not only do many of the headwinds that have created challenges in recent times – ranging from cost pressures to skills shortages – endure, but the political climate at home also throws up more questions than answers with a General Election on the horizon.
In recent months, we have seen multiple policy “resets” as the UK gears up for heading to the polls within the next 12 months. This has involved a number of headline-grabbing policy announcements made arguably with more of an eye on positioning with the electorate, as opposed to meaningful growth strategies for UK plc.
Looking at historical trends via the Chamber’s State of the Economy Index, it’s not unusual to see things slow down ahead of an election. The concern is that while businesses have already proven their resilience by finding new ways to grow in the face of challenges, overall activity has slowed in the second half of the year as 14 consecutive base rate rises have taken their toll on sales, orders, recruitment, cashflow and investment intentions.
But one note of confidence – this time 12 months ago, many were predicting a recession in 2023 that never materialised. And when talking to individual businesses, the big picture trends we see are hiding many, many positive stories of growth and success.
In short, it is a real mixed bag out there and no-one should underestimate businesses’ ability to “get on with it,” even if all those around them have missed the memo.
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, reflects on the PR prowess of Sir Richard Branson.
If there’s one person I’ve met who knows about making a splash when it comes to the media, it is Sir Richard Branson.
He was at it again with the launch of ‘Virgin Voyages’, his new Australia-based cruise liner last month (December) where he danced around with his colleagues after briefing the assembled media on the new venture and demonstrated the snazzy new champagne app (shake it and champers will arrive).
Of course, being Branson (or should that be Brand-son) he couldn’t resist a bit of cheekiness and duly pushed one of his dancing buddies into the pool and then, as the cameras flashed on cue, in he went after him. Textbook stuff.
He won’t get in trouble (unless someone really is being a jobsworth!) because he’s joined in the mirth and got a thorough soaking, and by pushing the fella first the cameras were already running and trained on the pool.
It would have been way too clunky if he had just dived in and there was always a risk the cameras would not catch it. Timing is everything and Branson knows it. In fact, it is a lesson that I gladly took from him just over 10 years ago – how time flies!
I’d just finished registering the press ahead of a Richard Branson keynote speech at a major business show and there were already 60 in the room and rising. No surprise.
Branson is a dream for journalists and an absolute PR natural. What was a surprise was that he didn’t have a PR officer attending to conduct the press conference itself. There was no apparent solution until it began to dawn on me that I should conduct it. After all, I had been a business journalist myself and already had over a decade of PR experience. So, in words Branson himself uses I stepped up: “Screw it, let’s do it.”
I introduced myself to his PA and waited on the stage for Richard to arrive. He duly did to a thunderous round of applause, full of smiles, reclining in his chair.
How does one introduce one of the most famous business figures of all time? “You might recognise this chap” is not the classic I had expected to tumble out of my mouth, but it worked. The room relaxed and we went on to discuss everything from global business to negotiating with the Rolling Stones.
His latest PR stunt on the cruise liner reminded me of a section of his book, the classic autobiography ‘Losing My Virginity’. It is peppered with anecdotes about his relationship with the press, good and bad, but what he makes look effortless is also a carefully considered strategy.
Here’s an excerpt: “Most companies don’t acknowledge the press and have a tiny press office tucked away out of sight. If an inaccurate story appears…and is allowed to run…it becomes fact. Then, every time your product is mentioned, this same story will be repeated.”
The lesson here, yes, Branson is a natural at PR, a maverick even, but he still ensures he has safeguards in place. So, in 2024, I’d urge you to be more Branson. Be creative and proactive with your PR (PLEASE) but also ensure you have the ability to react.
Most of all in 2024, if you have been holding back, waiting for someone else to make their move, stop it now. With systems in place then you can just dive right in.
A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008.He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective.
See this column in the January issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
The UK economy grew in November, with GDP* (gross domestic product) seeing a 0.3% rise, stronger than the 0.2% month-on-month growth expected and following a 0.3% fall in October.
However, GDP was down 0.2% over the three months to the end of November, keeping the economy in a precarious position.
Monthly growth reflected strong performance in services, particularly in information and communication which grew 1.5% thanks the computer games industry and telecommunications.
Services output grew 0.4% month-on-month, following a 0.1% dip, while in another positive swing production output grew 0.3% month-on-month, following a fall of 1.3% in October. Meanwhile the construction sector fell 0.2% month-on-month, after a fall of 0.4% in October 2023.
James Smith, research director at the Resolution Foundation, said: “The economy grew more strongly than expected between October and November, driven by a recovery in our services sector including strong black Friday retail sales and a high performing ICT sector, making it less likely Britain will fall into recession.
“The final verdict on 2023 will come next month, but it is essential that Britain builds some economic momentum in 2024.”
Ben Jones, CBI lead economist, said: “It’s encouraging to see that economic activity rebounded in November after the previous monthly fall. But while this means the UK should avoid a technical recession last year, it masks an overall picture of a flatlining economy.
“The CBI’s latest surveys suggest the economy will struggle to gain any traction in the near term, as consumers rein in spending and firms face a trio of headwinds in the form of subdued demand, cost pressures and ongoing difficulties finding the staff they need.
“With an election fast approaching, all parties need to look at measures which can get the economy firing on all cylinders. Full capital expensing was an exciting first step in this direction, but the Spring Budget is a chance to press ahead with a wider programme of measures around innovation, skills and decarbonisation that provide the foundations for sustainable economic growth and kick-start productivity.”
*GDP measures the value of goods and services produced in the UK. It estimates the size of and growth in the economy.
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