Geldards chairman awarded MBE for services to business and the economy in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Geldards chairman David Williams has been awarded an MBE for services to business and to the economy in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
An MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) is awarded for outstanding achievement or service to the community which has had a long term significant impact and stands out as an example to others.
David has lived and worked in the region for over thirty years and has long been a champion of the East Midlands, advocating for the region’s growth and prosperity in the various positions he holds including, deputy chair of D2N2 LEP, chairman of EMB Group, non-executive director of East Midlands Chamber and Board member at Nottingham Trent University.
Internationally, David also regularly represents the East Midlands abroad and has participated in trade missions for the region to China as well as attending MIPIM in Cannes, the world’s leading property event.
Since joining Geldards in 1989 David has been an instrumental force in driving forward Geldards’ business expansion in the East Midlands, making a strong commitment to the region with offices in both Derby and Nottingham.
Commenting on his award, David, said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to receive an MBE for Services to Business and to the Economy in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. I am committed to driving the East Midlands forward to become a regional powerhouse of productivity and growth for the country.
“With its unique blend of infrastructure, business innovation and superb transport links boosting connectivity to and from the region, the East Midlands is an outstanding and ambitious area for business to succeed and grow. With its ambitious plans our region can compete nationally and internationally to be amongst the best in which to conduct business.”
Jeff Pearson, Chief Executive at Geldards, said: ”My congratulations go to David who is an extremely worthy recipient of an MBE for his tireless support for the East Midlands. As well as being an inspirational leader and ambassador for our firm, David has been a driving force in championing the region. Everyone at Geldards is delighted that his significant contribution to regional businesses and the economy has been recognised.”
Practical completion achieved at Fairham delivering almost 270,000 sq ft of logistics space
Hines, a global real estate investment, development, and property manager, in a joint venture with a global investment manager, have delivered three modern industrial units at Fairham Business Park in Nottingham, spanning a total of 268,814 sq ft, ranging in size from 65,810 to 101,775 sq ft.
The joint venture acquired the site from Clowes Developments in a forward funding transaction. Clowes Developments acts as development manager.
In total, the joint venture in conjunction with Clowes Developments is developing eight state-of-the-art warehousing and light-industrial units covering a total of 1.15 million sq ft across the East Midlands.
Clowes, working alongside main contractor TanRo, reached practical completion of the first three units, B1, 2 and 3 at Fairham marking delivery of prime logistics space at the brand-new development.
Furthermore, significant infrastructure works have also been completed including a brand-new signalled access road into Fairham and existing road improvements from Mill Hill Island to Clifton South Park and Ride.
In 2022, 195,000 sq ft of space was delivered by the joint venture at Dove Valley Park in South Derbyshire. The remaining units under development, located at Castlewood Business Park and East Midlands Distribution Centre, are anticipated to complete during the course of 2023.
Greg Cooper, Managing Director at Hines in the UK, said: “We continue to meet the needs of occupiers, delivering high-quality logistics space in a supply constrained market.
“Each of the three units at Fairham are high specification, with BREAAM ‘excellent’ certification achieved including EV charging infrastructure and the ability to support the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Clowes to deliver the remaining space at Castlewood Business Park and East Midlands Distribution Centre this year.”
James Richards, director at Clowes Developments, added: “The practical completion of three units at Fairham Business Park marks a step forward in our commitment to deliver best-in-class warehousing across the East Midlands.
“Our lead contractors, TanRo, have delivered this significant development totalling 268,000 square feet, to a tight schedule and have produced a set of quality industrial use facilities setting a high standard for this brand-new business hub.
“With one occupier already lined up to take over one of the units, we are looking forward to watching the business park flourish with activity in the months to come. Our most recent development, A1 at Fairham Business Park is also fast approaching completion with its intended occupiers finalising the legal documentation ready for moving in later this year.”
East Midlands manufacturers see a brightening picture as outlook improves
East Midlands manufacturers have seen an improving economic outlook as the domestic and global markets have improved, easing fears of a significant recession for industry this year.
The findings in the Make UK/BDO Q2 Manufacturing Outlook survey show a marked pick up in the last quarter with both output and orders increasing significantly to balances at +57% and +43%, both substantially ahead of the national average. In particular, the East Midlands has benefitted from the pick up in the automotive sector as chip shortages and supply chain blockages have eased. Car registrations increased for the tenth successive month in May.
In line with this improving picture job prospects are improving substantially with the balance of companies increasing recruitment in the last three months at +14%, jumping substantially to a balance of +36% in the next quarter. East Midlands companies are also planning to boost investment with the balance of companies planning to increase investment at +7%, below the national average but still in positive territory.
In terms of overall output this year Make UK and BDO are forecasting a contraction of 0.3% although this is a significant improvement from the contraction of -3.3% made in Q1 and the -4.4% forecast at the end of last year. However, Make UK is maintaining its previous forecast for growth of just 0.8% in 2024. UK GDP growth is at 0.4% for 2023 and 1.3% for 2024.
Charlotte Horobin, Midlands region director at Make UK, said: “Manufacturers in the East Midlands are seeing a gradually improving picture but the word ‘gradually’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
“However, companies are at least seeing a relative period of stability after the political and economic turmoil of the last few years when they have spent most of their time firefighting. Substantial challenges still remain and so long as there is an absence of an overarching industrial strategy growth prospects will remain anaemic at best.”
Jon Gilpin, head of manufacturing at BDO in the Midlands, said: “Despite the first half of the year seeing some pressures easing for local manufacturers – and the short-term prospects looking healthier for it – there are longer-term systemic challenges in the UK market, with built-in inefficiencies that need to be addressed urgently in order for manufacturers to effectively plan and invest.”
Innovative careers scheme inspires Chesterfield’s next generation and aims to reduce skills gaps
A pioneering scheme, which is linking schools with leading property and construction firms in Chesterfield, is inspiring young people to pursue careers in the construction sector.
‘Careers Made in Chesterfield’ has resulted in fourteen quality placements being offered for talented young people to learn about the property and construction sector. This follows several businesses from the town’s property and construction sector participating in workshops at Parkside Community School, showcasing the range of rewarding careers available.
Providing face-to-face interaction with students proved very successful, with 40% of students who completed the programme expressing a high interest in working in the construction sector in the future – rising from just 20% when the scheme was originally conceived in September 2022.
The initiative was launched following a report by CITB, which outlines how an extra 225,000 workers are required in the UK’s property and construction sector by 2027, equating to roughly 3,500 per year in the East Midlands Region alone.
During the ‘Careers Made in Chesterfield’ programme, business leaders carried out an initial speed networking workshop with pupils, answering their questions and helping to open their eyes into the many different exciting roles associated with property and construction.
In the second workshop sessions, students were tasked with designing a new building within the Northern Gateway area of Chesterfield. Working in groups of five to design a community venue, each group was allocated an employer mentor from the property and construction sector to help develop the design.
The project is enabling students to gain vital work experience, but also showcases the breadth of skills needed to achieve Chesterfield’s ambitious growth and regeneration plans.
The innovative pilot has seen 20 professionals from 11 local businesses helping to deliver the programme to 110 Year 10 students at the school.
Andrew Byrne, property development director at The Devonshire Group, and member of the Chesterfield Property and Construction Group, added: “One of the main issues being faced by the property and construction sector is that its workforce is getting older.
“It is vital to begin bringing in the next generation, and Careers Made in Chesterfield is one of many initiatives which will help to secure the future pipeline of talent that our businesses rely on.
“It is a very exciting time to be getting into the sector, and with schemes such as this, our young people will one day contribute towards delivering the physical, social, and green infrastructure that Chesterfield needs to continue its sustainable growth.”
Cllr Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “Working with local businesses to deliver the Careers Made in Chesterfield pilot demonstrates how direct engagement with students can spark their interest in different career paths.
“Helping young people learn more about the skills they need and the options available to them is key to ensuring that we can provide secure high quality jobs in Chesterfield and that they can plan for a great future in our borough.”
Ben Riggott, head teacher at Parkside School, said: “The Careers Made in Chesterfield pilot represented a step change in creating sustained connections between our Year 10 students and some great local companies.
“This model is fantastic for several reasons. Perhaps most importantly, students build relationships with employers across the programme, which in turn enhances their confidence and the likely outcomes of work experience.”
One of the firms to be welcoming a student on placement in July is Oasis Studio, which provides virtual reality and augmented reality services to property and construction businesses.
Tony Buck, associate director at Oasis Studio, said: “We jumped at the chance to get involved in the pilot scheme. The construction industry is continually evolving, adopting new technologies and construction methods.
“To stay competitive, I believe it’s crucial we have a skilled workforce that can embrace these advancements. I really enjoyed demonstrating the range of opportunities in the sector today.
“We utilised our VR headsets during the workshop to offer the students a virtual site visit and help them understand the brief. I was genuinely impressed by the student’s level of maturity and engagement throughout the workshops, and their ideation of concepts was fantastic.”
Further addressing the increasing construction skills shortage within Chesterfield, the Construction Skills Hub in Mastin Moor will welcome learners from autumn this year.
Funded through the Staveley Town Deal, the skills hub will provide a practical platform for construction training, careers activity and work experience on a live construction site. Initially the Skills Hub will provide training in site and bench joinery, brickwork, ground works and electrical installation but in time the offer will expand to include training in retrofit and green technologies. It will be open to school leavers and other residents seeking to train or retrain. The Hub will provide training, careers insights, and work experience for more than 5,000 learners over 10 years.Cema Vending become finalists in four categories at the Vendies Awards
Cema Vending were thrilled to have been nominated in the prestigious Vendies Awards on Wednesday 7 June, not just once, but four times!
Although the company didn’t grab the winning spot, the team were thrilled to have been, nominated, shortlisted and even becoming finalists in four categories: Best Overall Operator, Customer Service Award, Woman of The Year (for operations manager Kerry Turton) and Best Route Operator (for Sam Simpson), and are keeping their fingers crossed for the next one.
Ellice Hudson, operations director for Cema Vending, was excited to attend the awards for the first time and take along some of the Cema Vending team to celebrate the event.
The awards themselves are decided by a team of expert judges, including:
· Phillipa Atkinson-Clow – General manager of the Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA)
· Erwin Wetzel – Director general of the European & Coffee Service Association (EVA)
· Phil Reynolds – Director of the Vendex Show
· Michelle Hefferon – Business manager at NIVO
· Heather Ramsden – Editor of Vending International magazine
The Vendies have a long tradition of recognising the people who make a difference to the vending industry.
Nottinghamshire County Council “encourage everyone to get nominating” for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Nottinghamshire County Council is encouraging members of the property and construction industry to enter Business Link’s East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023.
Nottinghamshire County Councillor Keith Girling, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management, said: “With so many high-profile infrastructure and housing projects coming to Nottinghamshire and the region, the property and construction industry is more crucial than ever to our economy.
“This includes a world-class cutting-edge project known as STEP Fusion. Nottinghamshire will be the home of a new prototype site, due to be built at the former coal-fired power station at West Burton near Retford. The aim is to create a virtually limitless source of clean electricity, with potential to export this across the world.
“We’re also helping create new, greener communities and homes such as the Berry Hill development in Mansfield and Top Wighay near Hucknall as well as improving our transport infrastructure thanks to major plans for the A614.
“These projects, which we as a council play an integral part in, will bring skilled jobs, investment and provide long-term contract opportunities for the supply chain.
“So I would encourage everyone to get nominating for these awards as this industry deserves to be in the spotlight.”
With nominations open until Thursday 31 August, now is the ideal time to enter your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023. To do so – click on a category link below or visit this page.
To be held at:
Award categories include:
Thanks to our sponsors:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
To be held at:
Study finds small nuclear reactors could deliver cost advantages in green energy generation
A feasibility study involving Rolls-Royce SMR and global business and investment company, Sumitomo Corporation, shows Rolls-Royce Small Modular Nuclear Reactors could provide a significant advantage over other energy sources in producing low-carbon hydrogen.
Each Rolls-Royce SMR’s ‘factory-built’ nuclear power plant will produce 470MW of low-carbon electricity, but its compact footprint and flexible modular design means it can be located alongside energy intensive industrial processes – including hydrogen production. For the production of hydrogen via Solid Oxide Electrolytic Cell (SOEC) technology, it is possible to use the thermal output of the power plant to radically boost the overall efficiency of the hydrogen production cycle.
This study analysed the use of both heat and power from the Rolls-Royce SMR to run electrolysers to produce low-carbon hydrogen. The detailed independent study was produced using real-world data and found that – when cost, availability and carbon emissions are taken into consideration – hydrogen production powered by a Rolls-Royce SMR has the greatest overall advantage compared to all other available sources.
Harry Keeling, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Head of Industrial Markets, said: “This is an exciting move forward for Rolls-Royce SMR and Sumitomo Corporation. The potential for the Rolls-Royce SMR to be used for industrial purposes is one of its greatest strengths – being able to deliver large amounts of low-carbon, always-on power, but being flexible enough to be located close to where industry needs it. The production of low-cost hydrogen is a critical step on the pathway to decarbonising our wider society.”
Earlier this year, the Rolls-Royce SMR design progressed to the second step of the Generic Design Assessment by the UK’s independent regulators which reinforced its position as the SMR design that’s furthest advanced towards being deployed in the UK.
Sumitomo Corporation will now use the report to support site suitability work and develop its understanding around the potential for utilising Rolls-Royce SMRs alongside clean hydrogen production facilities in the UK.
The Rolls-Royce SMR concept uses standard nuclear energy technology so far used in 400 reactors around the world. A single Rolls-Royce SMR power station will have the capacity to generate 470MW of low carbon energy, equivalent to more than 150 onshore wind turbines and enough to power a million homes. It will provide consistent baseload power generation for at least 60 years.
Two new lettings swiftly secured at Southgate Retail Park in Derby
Real Estate Investors plc, the Birmingham-based Real Estate Investment Trust with a portfolio of 1.37 million sq ft of investment property, has announced two new lettings in quick succession at Southgate Retail Park in Derby.
Ian Clark, director, Asset Management, at REI, said that when the two units were vacated by Subway, they were immediately snapped up by local businesses.
The 1,600 sq ft retail unit to the front has been taken by Basat Mahmood and Aqib Iftikhar on a 15 year lease to open a local convenience store.
The rear unit, also 1,600 sq ft, has been taken on a five year lease by Asgar Tair who runs a boxing gym as a charitable enterprise.
Southgate Retail Park comprises a 53,202 sq ft, eight unit, retail and office property, combining a modern retail warehouse scheme and a business innovation centre, with extensive car parking facilities.
The park is anchored by a Lidl store and serves as a district centre to residents of the Normanton suburb of Derby. As well as Lidl, tenants include The Gym Group and the Royal Mencap Society.
Portchester Equity extends UK rail portfolio with acquisition of Derby-based Yellow Rail
Portchester Equity Ltd (PEL) has acquired Derby-based Yellow Rail Ltd, a £15m turnover rail engineering service company, strengthening its rail portfolio in the UK rail sector.
PEL is committed to the rail sector and increasing capability and service offering to passenger and freight customers, through its financial strength and by optimising existing PEL rail assets (W.H. Davis and Davis Wagon Services).
This acquisition creates strong synergies with the existing rail assets, well-established business relationships and highly complementary portfolios in the areas of freight wagon maintenance, freight field services and material supply services.
Enhancements to the portfolio through the acquisition include the introduction of rail services to the passenger sector, engineering design services, bogie overhaul and repair services and wheel lathe systems and services.
Yellow Rail will benefit from access to the rail-connected facility at Shirebrook on the Robin Hood mainline for the new acquisition, for both passenger and freight projects, whilst ensuring W.H. Davis continues its full commitment to freight wagon building and re-purposing activities.
This acquisition is a significant step up for the group of companies, now able to offer more ambitious services to the market, underpinned by the PEL financial strength and the integrated capability and geographical presence of the three companies.
Paul Bragg, Managing Director of PEL responsible for leading the acquisition, says: “This is a perfect fit within our multi-industrial manufacturing side of the group, where we will be able to improve our capability to passenger and rail customers.”
Andy Kevins, Managing Director of Yellow Rail, believes this acquisition offers a great opportunity to accelerate the growth of the company with the support of PEL and within a group of rail companies that includes W.H. Davis and Davis Wagon Services, two well-established suppliers within the UK freight sector.
Andy says: “It also provides increased security for our amazing staff, access to an excellent rail connected facility and the opportunity to work with other companies in the same group, to increase our overall capability and service offering. After 16 years as an independent SME, Yellow Rail are looking forward to playing its part in a bigger rail family.”
Cooking oil-powered cement tanker is first for the UK
Coalville-based Aggregate Industries has introduced the first cement tanker in the UK to be powered by waste cooking and frying oil from the food industry, putting it to work in its Lafarge Cement business.
Operated by logistics partner Lomas Distribution, the 30-tonne bulk tanker is powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, part of the paraffinic family of fuels and a fossil-free alternative to mineral diesel, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%.
HVO is made by hydrotreating the waste oil, creating a direct substitute for conventional diesel, and reducing emissions not only of carbon but also nitrous oxide and particulate matter.
The truck joins the fleet of 50 Lafarge Cement vehicles, and will operate out of the Cauldon cement plant in the Staffordshire Moorlands to serve locations in the midlands and northwest.
Matt Owen, Supply Chain Manager in Aggregate Industries’ Cement division, said: “The benefits of using HVO are there for all to see. Being able to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent is huge for us, alongside the reduction in things like nitrous oxide.
“Also, HVO is a direct drop in replacement for diesel so easy to switch to. We are trialling the vehicle and will be monitoring and evaluating its performance and its emissions.
“We are already using HVO in our loading shovels at our three cement dockside terminals at Glasgow, Ellesmere and Chatham and are planning to introduce more HVO fuelled vehicles over the year.”
The cement division has also recently taken an electric cement truck on trial working with Lomas.
Luke Olly, Carbon and Energy Manager at Aggregate Industries, said: “This is a fantastic step forward as we look to accelerate our journey to net zero.
“Our aim as a company is to reduce unblended gas oil usage by more than 90 per cent by 2035. HVO offers us one of a number of opportunities to do this. It is circular in nature as it starts out as raw material derived from plants and we are effectively re-using waste after it has been used in the food industry.
“We have plans to increase alternative ways to fuel our vehicles and plant equipment whether that is through HVO, electric or hydrogen and we look forward to rolling these out across the business over the coming years.”
University’s study measures Covid’s impact on 200 Derbyshire businesses
The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on Derbyshire’s two 200 businesses have been revealed in a report by the University of Derby’s Business School.
Between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, businesses saw turnover drop by 14%, compared to the previous year, with the total turnover for all 200 being £3.78 billion less than in 2019-2020. Despite this, some sectors remained resilient – especially healthcare and medicine, construction and chemicals – and businesses within those industries performed better than the previous years.
The top three largest sectors were manufacturing (30.5%); wholesale and retail trade, including motor vehicles (20.5%); and financial services and insurance (10.5%).
To qualify for the list, companies must have:
- been active during 1 July 2020 to 20 June 2021
- had their registered office in Derby or Derbyshire
- reported independent accounts to Companies House for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021
Aspire Pharma sponsors Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s medical centre
Aspire Pharma Ltd is the new sponsor of Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s (LCCC’s) state-of-the-art medical centre at the Uptonsteel Ground, at Grace Road.
Since 2016, the medical centre has been sponsored by Loughborough-based Morningside Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Aspire in 2022. This acquisition will create a fast-growing, top-30 UK specialty pharma company.
The newly named Aspire Medical Centre will continue to be a critical treatment area for the club’s players; where specialist physio can be carried out, as well as urgent medical assistance provided in an emergency.
As the medical centre has become more established, it has developed into a hub for sports science and medicine. Hundreds of junior cricketers from LCCC’s Academy are invited to visit and learn more about these key study areas each year.
Richard Condon, Chief Executive of Aspire Pharma, said: “At Aspire, our mission is to make a difference to the lives of patients through the development and supply of innovative products and medicines throughout the world, which this partnership very much aligns with.
“We’re proud to continue our support of the Aspire Medical Centre, which has developed into an essential treatment facility for the club. It has also become an education hub for the benefit of the players, public and wider community.”
Prior to the creation of the Aspire Medical Centre in 2016, the club had to treat players and visitors off-site, which was not ideal if a member of the public or player became seriously ill.
Sean Jarvis, CEO of LCCC, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Aspire Pharma as the medical centre’s new sponsor. It’s great news that Aspire will be continuing our partnership, which has made such a huge difference to the sports science, physiotherapy, and medical treatment facilities at Grace Road.”
The medical centre, in the Lower Meet, provides Leicestershire County Cricket Club players with state-of-the-art match preparation and rehabilitation support from injuries. It has a space for a private treatment room, an open plan treatment area and an adjoining trauma room, which doubles as a crowd medical facility for use by St John’s Ambulance on match days.
Ryan Smith, Head of Sports Science and Medicine at the club, said: “The cricket season is demanding and can take its toll on the players’ bodies. For the team to reach the highest level it’s essential that we have the best facilities onsite to treat and rehabilitate the players. This access allows our teams to deliver individualised treatments at any time and enables our players to consistently train all year round.
“The medical centre’s facilities are an important part of our pre-match, during and post-match physiotherapy and sports science infrastructure. It has enabled us to progress the rehabilitation of our injured athletes by increasing the access we have to a usable and functional training environment.
“This will hopefully give our players the winning edge in the different championships they are competing in this cricket season.”
Loughborough University given role in economy-boosting creative industries project
Loughborough University will be part of a new research team of creative sector specialists, established as part of a government project to give a £50 billion boost to the creative industries in the UK.
Announced as part of the government’s Creative Industries Sector Vision, the new Insight and Foresight Unit will be led by Goldsmiths, which has been chosen as the preferred bidder to be the host organisation, alongside partners at the British Film Institute, the University of Edinburgh, and Loughborough. This Insight and Foresight Unit will support the CoSTAR (Convergent Screen Technologies and performance in Realtime) national infrastructure, which will ensure the UK stays at the cutting-edge of new virtual production techniques for stage, screen and live events. Examples of virtual productions include the hugely popular ABBA Voyage live show and Disney Plus’s The Mandalorian. The Insight and Foresight Unit will focus on identifyingindustry trends and insights associated with creative technologies and informing future policy and investment for the screen and performance sectors. This includes considering improved ecological sustainability, a more diverse and inclusive workforce, new workflows and ways of working, and audience engagement with creative productions realised through theCoSTARinfrastructure. Loughborough’s involvement will be led by Graham Hitchen, Professor of Practice within the Institute for Media and Creative Industries, and head of the University’s new Policy Unit. Loughborough is already established as a research leader in the creative industries, being home to the Creative Research AndInnovation Centre (CRAIC). CRAIC recently received funding from the Screen Industries Growth Network to create a framework to enable the mapping of virtual production assets across the UK. It has also worked with the Audience of the Future and Creative Industries Clusters team at UKRI to understand Creative R&D and to help shape thinking and future investments in the Creative Technology space. Professor Hitchen said: “This investment provides a brilliant opportunity to be at the forefront of future thinking about creative technologies in the UK and will enable us to build on our research strengths.” Professor Jonny Freeman, Academic Lead for Knowledge Exchange at Goldsmiths, and Principal Investigator of the IFU added:“The UK’s Creative Industries have an incredible reputation globally and the CoSTAR infrastructure investment announced today will help to secure this. “The consortium we have assembled for the Insight and Foresight Unit is formidable. It combines Goldsmiths’ expertise in the immersive, audience and virtual production sector, BFI’s unrivalled screen sector expertise and data, Edinburgh’s leadership in developing new forms of data to empower the creative industries, and Loughborough’s track record in research and policy on creative technologies and creative R&D with the support of its new Policy Unit.” The unit was announced as part of the government’s Creative Industries Sector Vision to maximise the potential of the UK creative industries and grow the economy, so they generate an extra £50 billion for the economy and support a million more jobs by 2030.Leicester car park gets rooftop ‘power station’
Two canopies covered with solar panels have been fitted to the roof of Leicester’s Newarke Street car park, making it capable of powering the car park’s machines, lights, cameras and other facilities at the car park, as well as other nearby buildings.
The project involves 360 sqm of solar panels installed as part of the city council’s ongoing work to reduce its carbon footprint, and has cost £267,400, funded jointly by the city council and the European Regional Development Fund.
It follows the council’s successful bid for more than £4million of match-funding from the ERDF to support a range of projects that aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Elsewhere, solar panels have been installed at the city council’s highways depot at Leycroft Road, Beaumont Leys, in a £95k scheme capable of saving over 51 tonnes of carbon.
Leicester deputy city mayor for climate, economy and culture, Cllr Adam Clarke said: “This is part of our work to invest in low-carbon, energy-efficient measures for our buildings, but is also part of a wider move across the UK and further afield towards creating solar car parks like this.
“They enable electricity production in spaces which are open to the air and sunshine, as well protecting parked vehicles from the weather. In addition, they can help with electric vehicle charging in places like this where people coming into the city centre might park their cars for long periods of time.
“With energy prices currently so high, this is a sound investment in generating our own clean energy, using buildings and infrastructure that we already operate.”
The French Senate has recently made it a legal requirement for all existing and new car parks of 80 spaces or more to be covered by solar panels as part of its drive to increase the production of sustainable energy.
Over 280 jobs on the line as closure of Young’s Seafood factory proposed
Over 280 jobs are on the line following the proposed closure of a Young’s Seafood factory in Grimsby.
Plans have been unveiled to halt production at the site on Marsden Road, with an October date mooted, and move what remains to another Grimsby factory and a Scottish site.
Owner of Young’s, Sofina Foods Europe, said the factory was “no longer financially sustainable,” according to BBC reports, with a spokesperson saying 285 roles could be lost.
The company said the decision does not reflect on the teams who work there, noting that “they are a credit to the company.”
Staff and unions are set to be consulted before a formal decision on the closure.
Sofina said some new roles would be created at a site on Grimsby’s Humberstone Road and in Scotland at Fraserburgh.
Award winning marketing starts with marketing your awards: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, illustrates how to make the most of your award nominations and wins.
Last summer, I began to quietly launch an award writing service. Just ahead of the annual ‘Bricks Awards’ run by this very publication, which will be open for nominations by the time you read this – hint, HINT!
Why? Well, it made commercial sense, obviously, but the WHY in terms of the market was simple… MOST small businesses are REALLY BAD at awards, and by that I mean they simply do not include them in their planning. Or often, they don’t feel they deserve one.
‘Bricks Awards’ or not, if you’ve survived the last couple years in business, there is an award out there for you!
Let’s imagine you have all this covered and are merrily scribbling away at your ‘Bricks’ entry or any other award you may have your sights on – there are LOADS and I have lists if you are interested. Perhaps you’ve even completed it already, you clever sausage. Go straight to the top of the class. After all, you’ve done the hard work now right? You can just sit back and await the adulation, the confetti, the champagne and the plaudits. Customers will flock from miles around, crawling out of the woodwork, blinking in the dazzling glare of your magnificence! All from you winning an award. Right? Well…they MIGHT. They COULD. But why would you sit and wait and hope?
Why wouldn’t you grab the bull by the horns and actually run a campaign around the award?
I had a chat with a new client the week before writing this article about an awards entry they’d submitted a few weeks back and the first question I asked was this: “Are you shortlisted and is it public?”
The reason I asked this is simply because the shortlisting itself is your first bite of the cherry. Now, not ALL awards folk will allow you to publicise your shortlisting before the final reveal but most will. Why? Well, think about it. The awards folk, their partner media titles and the sponsors backing the awards want the most bang from their marketing buck. They spend big money and time on pushing their awards in the run up to their launch, the reminders, the FINAL reminder and the invariable (almost) deadline extension reminder.
However, once they have got the submissions in, their opportunities to push the message dwindles until they get to the big day of revealing the winners. Most will announce a shortlist, but sadly most shortlisted entries will NOT do anything proactive themselves. Nevermind proactive, they don’t even join in with the posts from the organisers reactively!
This is different, you will! You might even consider congratulating your fellow shortlisted folk (most won’t be competitors and even if they are, you look by FAR the BIGGER brand if you share the glory and play the magnanimous card!) publicly on social media, tagging them merrily and spreading the word across their channels when they thank you and wish you well too. P.S. the awards marketing folk will LOVE you for pushing the awards message. This doesn’t mean you will sway the judges, but it won’t hurt!
So, share the good news on social media, joining in with anything the organisers do, but don’t be afraid to take control here too. You should be writing about your shortlisting and why you are in with a shout on your blog. You might do a little video about it. What about an announcement in your newsletter?
But what if we don’t win? Yep, I get this. You want to keep your powder dry. You don’t want to look “foolish” if you don’t actually go on and win. NEWSFLASH! Other than you, nobody will care, and most people won’t notice. There isn’t an audit committee lurking within your audience tutting about you guys not winning! There IS, however, an audience out there noticing that you are nominated, shortlisted or are a finalist and this is not an opportunity to be missed.
It’ll be alright on the night
So, there you are, sitting in the crowd or around the table in your finest awards garb, studiously trying not to get TOO relaxed from the free booze ahead of your category announcement. You’ve invited some valuable clients and prospects, right? OH. Well, you’ve at least prepared a few lines of thanks, right? No? Do it. Do it way before the event and be sure to mention your fellow finalists. Not only is it courteous, it may well lead to other opportunities down the line.
Now, imagine you’ve WON! The champagne is flowing, you vow to make the most of this, but WILL YOU? Will you be asking the organisers about WHEN they will be publishing the results (if they haven’t already). Are you tweeting your thanks and LIVE pics from the event? Have you scheduled your blog post to go LIVE tomorrow using some of the pics your team have taken on the night? You can do all of this, just check with the organisers ASAP so that you don’t tread on any toes embargo-wise – another good way to show how keen you are once shortlisted by the way!
So, your blog’s gone out, your newsletter has been issued, the dust is settling. Now the magazine publishes its coverage of the event. What do you do? You go and buy a LOT of copies. Yes, a LOT. Like 50. One of which you frame in reception and the rest of which you send out to your dream list of prospects because it is probably the best damn sales letter your business has had in years! You sweat the asset. You don’t sit and wait for the adulation, you control the narrative, you control the effort, and you make bloody well sure that your best prospects are fully aware of the good news.
How’s that for an award-winning campaign?
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 June edition of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
Acquisition instrumental in Trent’s future growth
Record Electrical Associates Ltd (REA) has been acquired by a pressure and temperature instrument specialist, having been advised by KBS Corporate deal executive Oliver Rigby during the process.
REA operates from dedicated facilities in Stretford, Manchester, and offers high-quality analogue instruments to international businesses.
The company was initially founded over 100 years ago and has successfully cemented itself at the forefront of a niche sector.
REA has been sold as part of Alan Johnson and Christopher McGrail’s retirement plans, both of whom maintained active roles as directors in the business.
“This was an exciting opportunity to represent a long-standing company,” advised Oliver. “I worked alongside Alan and Christopher to identify a quality buyer that would preserve REA’s legacy.”
The successful acquirer is Trent Instruments, a Nottingham-based pressure and temperature solutions provider. Trent is a leading supplier of locomotive horns and the exclusive agent in the UK and Europe for Nathan AirChime.
“Trent is an excellent buyer for REA,” said Oliver. “The two companies benefitted from a prior relationship which helped secure a great deal.”
Jobs saved with the sale of homeware company
Leonard Curtis, in conjunction with S T Bennett & Co, has sold a long established homeware designer and producer which entered administration on 24 May.
D Mason Limited, a company funded by investors Baaj Capital LLP, has swooped for David Mason (Design) Limited.
Operating from three premises in Chesterfield, the company had operated successfully for over 60 years developing and designing products for the wholesale market together with the creation of bespoke ranges for high profile clients.
The homeware company, whose brands included David Mason Design, Foxwood Home and The English Tableware Company, had suffered from the adverse effects of the coronavirus pandemic and associated inflation. As a result of the need to shut down operations for a short period and subsequently increased shipping costs, cash flow and product pricing was adversely effected.
Following a discrete AMA process to market the opportunity, without damaging the underlying business, the joint administrators, Alex Cadwallader of Leonard Curtis and Stewart Bennett of S T Bennett & Co, assisted by solicitors Crowell Moring LLP, completed a sale of the core business, brands and assets enabling seven employees to retain their jobs.
Alex Cadwallader said: “I am pleased to confirm that we were able to complete a sale of this well-established business, both maximising the return to creditors and successfully transferring seven jobs to a new employer.”
Jas Singh, owner and director of Baaj Capital, said: “This exciting acquisition accelerates Baaj Capital’s plan to invest across a wide spectrum of business opportunities. The Homeware Sector being only one area of interest.
“Baaj Capital has actively funded acquisition of both distressed and solvent companies through many sectors over the recent past. David Mason Design incorporates both specialist product and innovative design with a reputation for quality and finish, and represents an exciting addition to the businesses trading with Baaj Support.
“Our thanks go to the Leonard Curtis and ST Bennett Team and Company Management for their help in delivering this project.”
Cabinet approve proposals to bring Northampton Railway Station multi-storey car park back on track
Plans to increase spaces and provide improved facilities at Northampton Railway Station, by building a new 1,198 space multi-storey car park (MSCP), have moved forward as West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) approved proposals at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 13 June.
WNC is working closely with Network Rail and its development partner, BlocWork to bring forward the new MSCP which will provide much-needed parking in this area increasing capacity from 800 to 1200.
Following cabinet’s approval in December 2021, plans have altered while the Council has responded to lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, and cost inflation. As such, the terms of the lease were not agreed. Therefore, the Council stepped in to deliver proposals which will see the Council manage the facility offering best value for money for residents.
Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth at WNC, said: “There is a real need for a new multi-storey car park to replace the current arrangements which currently exist at Northampton Railway Station. By creating a multi-storey car park we can make space available for future development which will further enhance this area.
“Over the last 18 months we have been closely monitoring the vast increase in inflation and responded to the affects of the pandemic and are now in a strong position to bring forward this development and manage the facility in-house.
“Working with Network Rail and Blocwork, we can create a facility which is much better for rail users who access the station by car.”
Former martial arts world champions join WBR Group’s Leicester office as it continues to grow tax and finance capabilities
It is rare for a business to find itself with one former world champion. However, WBR Group (WBR), the independent provider of SSAS services and tax experts, has announced the appointment of two former world champions in martial arts to its Leicester office: Sofija Radionova as group deputy head of finance and Jainali Vyas as tax associate.
Sofija, a former world Karate champion works alongside main board director Rocky Leanders. She has over nine years’ experience in the finance sector and is MAAT, now studying for her ACCA examinations.
Jainali is a former 2X Taekwondo world champion achieving her black belt 3rd dan in her early teenage years. She has joined recently promoted tax director, Tom Lodge, and the wider tax planning team in Leicester. Like Sofija, Jainali is also studying for her ACCA qualification.
Rocky Leanders, Chief Financial Officer, WBR Group, said: “Not everyone who works at WBR Group must be a martial arts expert, but we certainly enjoy having two join our team at the same time – and in the same office!
“We are delighted to have Sofija and Jainali on board and their joining takes WBR Group to 150 employees. Their great sporting success is a testament to their professional attitude, and I am delighted to welcome both as we strengthen our tax and finance capabilities across WBR Group.
“Achieving world champion status in any arena requires huge dedication and focus – we have no doubt they will be great additions to our fast-growing team in Leicester.”
