Final teams confirmed for epic football final in support of UK emergency services
After a second successful season, the 2023 Motor Source Emergency Services Football League finals are to take place on Sunday 4th June 2023 at Broadhurst Park Stadium, home of FC United of Manchester.
With 96 teams taking part this season across three competitions including Women’s League, Men’s Open Age League and Veteran’s League, it has been an exciting season for all.
After a combined total of over 400 hours of football played through 270 games and over 850 goals scored, through to the celebrated finals day are:
Women’s Final – West Midlands Police Vs London Fire
Men’s Open Age – North Wales Police Vs Thames Valley Police
Men’s Vets – London Fire Vs Met Police
The Motor Source ESFL was set up in 2019 by two Detective Constables who work for West Yorkshire Police, Andy Smurthwaite and Pete Overton, with the aim to bring together the police service, the fire service, the NHS and the prison service in a competitive UK wide league and the only league of its kind in the UK!
It was during the duo’s involvement in the running of the West Yorkshire Police Team that they realised how limited fixtures were and the difficulties in arranging games. Each of the respective Emergency Services have their own competition but surprisingly there were none that brought the 999 community together. From here the idea of the Emergency Services Football League was born!
Founder Pete Overton said: “Our original aim of the Emergency Services Football League was to help improve the health and wellbeing of those individuals serving in the UK’s emergency services.”
Title sponsors of the league, Motor Source Group offer new car discounts for Emergency Services personnel, saving them on average £6,019 each on their new cars, and have been supporting the ESFL from its initial days.
CEO Steve Thornton said: “It is well documented that Emergency Services professions, although rewarding, are highly stressful roles with significant risks associated with their undertaking, and so when we heard about the aims and benefits of the ESFL we knew instantly that we wanted to help and support.”
The Motor Source ESFL Final matches will be played on Sunday 4th June at Broadhurst Stadium, and will welcome supporters of the teams taking part as well as the local community from in and around Manchester. Everyone is welcome!
Ladies ESFL Final, 12:00 kick off
Mens Open Age ESFL Final, 15:30 kick off
Mens Veterans ESFL Final, 19:00 kick off
Tickets are just £5 for adults and £2.50 for children under 16 and you can watch all three final matches included in your ticket! Get your tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/MotorSourceESFLFinal
Multi-utility services provider secures £7m facility to support working capital and future growth
OakNorth Bank has provided a £7m working capital facility to TriConnex and eSmart Networks to support working capital and future growth.
Previously part of AIM listed Nexus Infrastructure plc, TriConnex is a provider of multi-utility services, including electricity, water, gas, fibre and EV charging, and eSmart Networks, and is a fully accredited Independent Connections Provider, delivering the decarbonisation of the UK transport and energy systems.
Established in 2011 and with offices in Essex, Leicester and Bristol, TriConnex works closely with residential developers and SME housebuilders to offer end-to-end multi-utility solutions. Recently launching their new Grid Dynamix Service, TriConnex are further set to support developers in finding, capturing, and keeping the electrical connections they require for their live project pipelines.
Also founded by experienced business leader, Mike Morris, eSmart Networks design, supply, and install EV charging infrastructure, including grid connections, charger installations, civil engineering components, and battery storage solutions.
In addition, the business connects solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources to the electricity network, whilst also designing and building the on-site high-voltage electrical infrastructure required to get these renewable energies to the grid.
Both companies were acquired in February 2023 by FitzWalter Capital, the global private investment firm, from Nexus Infrastructure plc.
Alan Martin, Chief Financial Officer at TriConnex and eSmart Networks, said: “TriConnex and eSmart Networks have built-up very strong reputations within the UK’s utility industry. The recent acquisition by FitzWalter Capital is a testament to the two businesses and their successes over recent years. We were drawn to OakNorth as we required a specialist lender with experience in the sector and one that could provide us with a credit line that fitted our specific needs.”
Stuart Blair, director of debt finance at OakNorth Bank, added: “This transaction presented us with an opportunity to support both TriConnex and eSmart Networks alongside a successful equity fund to enhance their future growth plans. With the UK’s utility market set for significant growth over the coming years, driven by the government-led Review of Electricity Market Arrangements, both TriConnex and eSmart Networks are in a perfect position to capitalise on this tailwind.”
Local businesspeople become ambassadors for Safe and Sound
Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity, Safe and Sound, has recruited more local people to help raise awareness of the dangers facing vulnerable children and young people.
Entrepreneurs Persha Ward and Nadia Jane Asamoah as well as University of Derby lecturer Bev Crighton and marketing specialist Claire Morrison have become official ambassadors for the charity.
Mother-of-two Persha Ward runs her own business administration business S&A Management and was supported by Safe and Sound as a teenager.
Nadia Jane Asamoah runs Nadia Jane Performing Arts in Green Lane, and Derby, where hundreds of young people – boys and girls – have trained over the years in a wide range of dance and performing arts disciplines.
As well as lecturing in Business Management at the University of Derby, Bev Crighton is currently employability lead in the education department at Derby County in the Community Trust (DCCT) as well as deputy chair of Erewash Partnership and an active member of the DCFC women’s board.
And Claire Morrison helped Safe and Sound raise its social media presence whilst previously working for digital marketing agency, Creationz.
They join the existing team of ambassadors: Derbyshire actor Molly Windsor, local business woman Amanda Strong and child exploitation survivor Louise Murphy-Fairclough.
Safe and Sound Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said: “Our ambassadors have an important role in our work to raise awareness of the dangers facing children and young people both online and in our local communities.
“Talking about child sexual exploitation is not an easy conversation but our ambassadors doing an incredible job to spread the word about the issue and the work of Safe and Sound in their own networks.
“We are extremely grateful for their support and I also hope that raised awareness will also encourage more groups, businesses and individuals to support our Butterfly Appeal so that we can further expand the range of support available for young people across Derbyshire and their families.”
Nadia Jane Asamoah continued: “Our dance and performing arts school is one big family and many of the young people feel able to talk to me about things that are happening at home or at school. Parents also confide in me about any concerns for their own children’s wellbeing.
“We have so much synergy with Safe and Sound and I jumped at the chance to become an Ambassador. As well as raising awareness, it is good to have access to an established network of professionals who can offer additional support to young people that we come in contact with if needed.”
Bev Crighton added: “I firmly believe that everyone – but particularly those in education and business leadership – need to understand the issues that affect our local communities and know about the support that is available.
“Having been an active member of the local business community for many years, I hope that more people will feel comfortable to engage in talking about these issues so that, together, we can make even further inroads into creating a greater understanding of the dangers that face children and young people.”
And Persha Ward, who was groomed as a teenager, concluded: “The support I had from Safe and Sound was amazing. They helped to open my eyes to what was going on, taught me to respect myself and gave me the support and strength to realise that I deserved better.
“I have been determined that my experiences as a teenager would not define my whole life. When I was 13 I didn’t think I was worth anything and certainly would not have thought that I could have gone on to have two wonderful children and my own business. Those days were a chapter in my life and now I have turned that page.
“My message to young people – whatever their experiences – is therefore to listen to the people who can help – which in my case was Safe and Sound.”
Swedish group acquires Northamptonshire compressed air distributor
Northamptonshire-based Maziak Compressor Services, a distributor of air compressors, nitrogen generators and process cooling equipment as well as related services and support, has been acquired by Atlas Copco.
Maziak, which was founded in 1958 and employs 40 people, will continue to operate as a stand-alone company within the Atlas Copco Compressors UK division of Atlas Copco UK Holdings Ltd, under the Maziak brand name and the current senior management team, for the foreseeable future.
James Maziak said: “I’d like to thank all the amazing people inside and outside the Maziak business, for their support over the last 32 years as we have built such a successful business on the foundations laid by my mother and father.
“Becoming part of Atlas Copco Compressors UK, with its focus on interaction, innovation and commitment, will propel the business forward to deliver even more for our people, our customers and the environment.”
Founded in Stockholm, Sweden 150 years ago, Atlas Copco is a global market leader in compressed air solutions and has been present in the UK for over 100 years. They offer a broad range of air compressors, air blowers, industrial gas generators, vacuum pumps, process cooling solutions and related services.
Notts County Cricket Club launches initiative to reduce carbon emissions at Trent Bridge
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club has partnered with sustainable cup specialist Event Cup Solutions to provide the most environmentally responsible reusable cup solution at Trent Bridge this season.
Event Cup Solutions, the company behind the ONE Planet ONE Chance® Reusable Cup System, will provide the ground with its unique solution for the 2023 season, enabling the club to reduce their carbon footprint further.The ONE Planet ONE Chance® Reusable Cup System encourages spectators to return their cups to specialist bins located throughout the stadium, ready for Event Cup Solutions’ on-site team to collect, prepare and return to the company’s state-of- the-art wash facility in West Bromwich, where they are put through a specialist wash and drying process preparing them for the next match.
Michael Temple, commercial director at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, said: “As a venue of considerable size, and with another busy summer ahead, we’re fully aware of our responsibility to minimise our environmental impact – and it’s a responsibility we’re determined to rise to.
“This year, we’ll welcome hundreds of thousands of cricket-lovers through our gates once more, and we’re sure that our members and supporters will share our desire to stage our sporting summer as sustainably as possible.
“The ONE Planet ONE Chance® Reusable Cup System will allow us to dramatically reduce our plastic usage, without compromising the first-rate matchday experience that we have become known for.”
John Reeves, director of Event Cup Solutions, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Nottinghamshire CCC has embraced the concept of our ONE Planet ONE Chance® Reusable Cup System and committed to rolling it out throughout Trent Bridge over the coming months.
“We estimate the club will use in excess of 400,000 cups over the course of the 2023 season. Our aim is to make it easy for visitors to return the cups by providing collection bins which will be positioned in easily accessible and visible areas of the venue.
“We hope this is the beginning of a strong partnership with the club. We’ve enjoyed excellent results within the football, rugby, horse racing and motor sports sectors, and it’s fantastic to have Nottinghamshire CCC leading the way within the cricket world.”
Leicestershire-headquartered building materials supplier snaps up Telford firm
Leicestershire-headquartered building materials supplier, Aggregate Industries, a member of the Holcim Group, has further bolstered its operations with the acquisition of Besblock Ltd., a supplier of precast materials to the Midlands construction industry.
The acquisition of Telford-based Besblock will see Aggregate Industries expand upon its existing products with the introduction of a range of technically niche and sustainable building blocks, and enable closer working relationships with large and medium sized housebuilders across the Midlands. The acquisition will also provide further growth opportunities outside of the region.
Through its two manufacturing facilities in Telford, Besblock currently produces around 1.7 million m² building blocks per year, equating to approximately 250kT. Its products include the industry-leading Star Performer block, a sustainable and multi-purpose on-site solution, with recycled aggregates and 24 % less material than a solid block. The business has strong sustainability credentials, with its fleet of lorries one of the most efficient in the country and with the recent installation of a new 1.65MW biomass boiler and renewable energy system, which will see the business become carbon neutral when operational.
Dragan Maksimovic, CEO of Aggregate Industries UK, said: “The acquisition of Besblock Ltd is an important milestone in our journey as we strive to become the UK’s leading supplier of sustainable construction materials and solutions.
“Besblock has invested heavily in sustainability in recent years and its market-leading product range has strong synergies with our own. We’re delighted to be able to enhance our products and capabilities with the acquisition of this progressive and market-leading business.”
Andrew Huxley, Managing Director at Besblock Ltd., said: “We’re incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a business in the last 50 years; particularly of the investments we have made in sustainable solutions, both in terms of products and practices. We’re excited to continue to expand the business and continue our sustainability journey with the support of Aggregate Industries.”
Metal recycling specialist makes duo of new appointments
Midlands-based metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, has made two new additions to its commercial team with the appointment of Mick Roots as national construction manager and Kieron Shanks in the newly-created role of senior bid-manager.
These two new hires underpin Ward’s commitment to continuous investment to meet the needs of its ever-expanding customer base while realising the firm’s ambitious growth targets. Both appointments will be based at Ward’s head office, Donald Ward House in Ilkeston, where they will join the commercial team, reporting into Heather Foo, head of Purchasing (Metals) and Sales (Waste).
Working within the waste team, Mick brings 25 years of sector experience and will be responsible for developing Ward’s customer base of key national and regional tier 1 construction contractors. Establishing strong working relationships and identifying opportunities against project pipelines will be a main focus, as well as working in partnership with customers to identify requirements and align with Ward’s offering.
Kieron brings nine years of bid management experience to the business and will be responsible for increasing bidding capabilities and driving the bid function for Ward’s entire offering, supporting growth through the tender process.
Following on the back of its Queen’s Award for Excellence in International Trade success last year, Ward has already implemented several strategies to meet its future aspirations, including refurbishing its processing operations at Ilkeston, implementing site improvements across its nationwide locations, expanding its FORS Gold accredited vehicle fleet and developing its teams through training, development and recruitment.
Heather Foo, head of Purchasing (Metals) and Sales (Waste), said: “It is great to have Mick on board to further enhance the waste team and the wider business. His experience and passion shines through and we are very pleased to have him as part of the Ward family.
“The business is equally thrilled to welcome Kieron to the team, who will have a key role in expanding the business through the bid process. This is a new role for Ward and one that will see the business grow through focusing on winning work through tenders. With Kieron’s experience, knowledge and enthusiasm, we are excited to see this develop.”
Rolls-Royce drops part of carbon capture operation
Rolls-Royce is to drop part of its carbon capture operation, as the firm’s CEO looks to cut costs and the company’s transformation programme moves at pace, according to Sky News.
Reports indicate that Rolls-Royce is to end work on creating a direct air capture product, transferring workers to other roles.
Insiders speaking to Sky News however said that the business would continue to work on a government-funded research project focused on direct air capture.
In January (2023) Rolls-Royce’s new CEO, Tufan Erginbilgic, gave an unsparing critique of the engineering company, saying it will not survive without transforming how it operates.
This month (May 2023) the Derby firm has hailed making “good progress,” with its financial performance “improving,” with Erginbilgic saying this reflects positive changes driven by Rolls-Royce’s transformation programme.
Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgic said: “We are transforming Rolls-Royce into a high quality and competitive business with a strong balance sheet and growing profit, cash flows and returns. We are already benefitting from the actions we are taking as well as recovery and growth in our end markets.”
He added: “Work on the transformation programme is moving at pace. Our increased focus on efficiency and simplification is helping to keep costs down and has already identified savings, for example the closure of our R2 Factory venture. We are encouraged by the early progress of our commercial optimisation and working capital workstreams, with positive results expected to build as the year goes on. Our strategic review is on track and as previously indicated, we will communicate the findings and medium term targets in the second half of 2023.”
Frasers Group sets sights on cycling specialist
Shirebrook-based retail giant Frasers Group could be on the verge of buying the stock and intellectual property assets of ProBikeKit from THG, according to reports from Sky News.
The acquisitive company is said to be in advanced talks to buy the cycling brand, with the potential for a deal to be finalised and announced this week.
Sky News says the acquisition is expected to be handled through Frasers’ Evans Cycles subsidiary.
The deal follows news that THG is to close or sell off a number of its non-core subsidiaries.
Forterra’s new Desford brick factory opens
Forterra’s new Desford brick factory in Leicestershire has officially opened.
With a total investment of around £95 million, the new factory has been commissioned to grow capacity, improve cost efficiency, and boost sustainability.
Once at full capacity, the Desford factory will be able to manufacture 180 million bricks per annum, enough to produce 25,000 new homes and provide customers with an additional 120 million domestically produced bricks compared to the old factory’s previous output. On a company-wide scale this increase in brick production capacity represents a growth of around 22%.
The new factory incorporates state-of-the-art innovations with sustainability mechanisms, robotics hardware, and advanced packaging solutions, which streamline its production processes to be as efficient and sustainable as possible while satisfying the ongoing demands of customers. As a result of these changes, the bricks produced at Desford will have a carbon footprint approximately 25% lower than those from the old factory.
Neil Ash, CEO of Forterra, said: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of the Desford factory, which represents a significant milestone for Forterra. This new factory’s impressive production capacity demonstrates our commitment to meeting the ongoing demands of the housing sector in our mission to Keep Britain Building.
“At the same time, our innovations at Desford have streamlined our operations to ensure that our production is as efficient and sustainable as possible, so that we can satisfy customer demand whilst still being on course to meet our ambitious ESG targets.
“Indeed, the Desford factory is the latest in a series of investments and developments Forterra has made over the past year towards becoming more sustainable and efficient, including a solar farm, a new eco-fleet of trucks, and new packaging solutions which place us a step closer to achieving our goal of attaining a 50% reduction in single-use plastics by 2025.
“We’re thrilled to open the biggest, most efficient brick factory in Europe, and look forward to Desford’s productive future.”
Record half year sales for Topps Tiles
Topps Tiles, the Leicestershire-based tile specialist, has witnessed record half year sales in the 26 weeks ended 1 April 2023.
According to the firm’s unaudited consolidated interim financial results, sales hit £130.3 million, up 9.3% year on year, driven by “nationwide store coverage, world class customer service, and strong omni-channel capability, with average sales per store up 30% compared to 2019.”
The company also reported strong results in Online Pure Play brands, with exceptional sales growth in Pro Tiler Tools.
Group gross profit, meanwhile, was up 2.7% to £68.7 million. Adjusted profit before tax, however, dipped to £4.4 million from £7.1 million, following “adverse exchange rate movements and the impact of inflation on operating expenses.”
Rob Parker, Chief Executive, said: “As we mark our 60th anniversary, we are pleased to be reporting record first half revenue for the Topps Group, reflecting our successful development and diversification as we strengthen our position as the UK’s leading tile specialist.
“Our Topps Tiles brand delivered a further period of robust like-for-like sales growth, with Pro Tiler Tools achieving another exceptional performance, to maintain its strong track record since acquisition in 2022.
“As expected, our first half profitability reflects the impact of inflation year on year, including significantly increased energy costs, and a number of other one offs. These effects are now reducing or will reverse in full in the second half, underpinning our confidence in a much stronger profit performance in the balance of the year.
“Our strong trading, when combined with our successful strategy, world class customer service, leading product offer and strong balance sheet, gives us increasing confidence in our outlook. We remain confident that we are on track to hit our 20% market share target ahead of schedule.”
Step forward for University of Nottingham’s Castle Meadow Campus plans
The University of Nottingham’s plans to increase its physical presence within Nottingham city centre, following its acquisition of the Castle Meadow Campus, have taken a step forward.
Set across more than nine acres, the campus comprises six highly specified three and four storey office buildings and a dedicated health & wellbeing hub totalling 351,247 sq ft.
Now, the university has been granted permission for the change of use of Barkley, Ferrers and Fitzroy House (Blocks A, B and C) and an associated amenity building on the site from Class E (office) to Class F1 (university) use.
Castle Meadow Campus is the university’s “next-generation landmark investment” currently in development. The new campus will enable the university to have a greater physical presence in the city centre, bringing opportunities for final year and postgraduate students studying professional practice-based courses, as well as supporting jobs, investment, and growth for the city.
Three core uses for have been identified for the campus, including:
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a new city centre location for Nottingham University Business School to conduct teaching, research and partnership activity, enabling it to grow its postgraduate offer and increase collaboration with strategic partners. The move is expected to take a phased approach from 2025.
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from late 2023, a home for Digital Nottingham providing a civic, research and innovation hub that will bring together researchers, businesses and communities to connect digital and data knowledge, skills and technologies to people and place-based challenges.
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a dynamic practice-orientated campus for postgraduate students creating an ecosystem of employers and students to work and learn together, ultimately preparing students for life after university. This is expected to take place from 2025.
Cawarden answers the King’s call to help out
As part of the Kings Coronation celebration, Derby-based Specialist Contractor Cawarden participated in The Big Help Out, an initiative designed to encourage volunteering and help local communities.
In Derby city centre, Cawarden made a generous donation of its people and equipment to help out at Wilmorton Community Gardens for the YMCA Derbyshire, the custodian of the gardens.
As part of the YMCA Derbyshire’s master plan, a large structure within the gardens had to be demolished. Therefore, Matt Taylor, youth and community manager at YMCA Derbyshire enlisted the help of the demolition experts at Cawarden.
The structure had been a problem for some time and had delayed progress within the gardens, so Cawarden offered to provide a 7-tonne machine and an experienced operator to demolish it free of charge.
Now that the demolition work has been completed, a new eco-sustainability area will be created on the site, with potential plots, forest areas, and learning centres that will provide opportunities for environmental engagement for all ages to get involved.
As part of The Big Help Out, staff from Cawarden’s head office in Ockbrook also volunteered to clear a walkway that had become so overgrown that it could no longer be crossed. After the team had completed the labour-intensive work, the newly cleared walkway is ready to be transformed into a new eco-sensory trail for the YMCA’s young people and local communities.
Matthew Taylor, YMCA community and engagement manager, said: “The Cawarden team has been so generous and amazing, thank you! It’s such a relief we can begin a new chapter at the Wilmorton Community Gardens with our eco-sustainability plans for our community – something Cawarden has set the foundations for us to move on positively into this new season.
“All the money we have saved will be invested into the community gardens whereby we can provide more opportunities for people of all ages to utilise a green space in the city.”
Samuel Crooks, contracts director at Cawarden, added: “We have a longstanding relationship with the YMCA Derbyshire and we’re delighted to have been able to carry out this demolition work for them. We know the structure has been an obstacle for some time and has put plans for the gardens on hold.
“So it’s been our pleasure to clear the site as part of The Big Help Out and pave the way for the next phase of redevelopment that will benefit the community greatly. We wish YMCA the best of luck with the future plans for the site. I am sure we’ll be back soon to see the progress first-hand.”
The Wilmorton Community Gardens are a beautiful peaceful space being renovated for growing, contemplating, enjoying company and creating an exciting new venue.
The Big Help Out was announced in January as an event to mark the Coronation in tribute to the King’s public service with the aim of using volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation weekend.
Firm wins £1m a year surfacing contract with council in Blackburn
Coalville-headquartered Aggregate Industries is working on a two-year contract with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for footway and carriageway improvements and resurfacing which could be worth up to £1m a year.
A key part of the framework was sustainability, which included supporting the council’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030. This allowed Aggregate Industries, when formulating the bid, to put forward the choice of key innovative low carbon surfacing solutions that are fundamental in assisting local authorities in meeting their future CO2 targets.
Victoria Smith, Aggregate Industries’ Regional Director for the North and Midlands in the Surfacing Solutions division, said: “It’s great news to have been appointed to the surfacing contract for Blackburn with Darwen and have the opportunity to deliver some real value to the framework utilising the latest in low carbon solutions.
“We have a strong track record in the region with local authorities and on major infrastructure projects and will be supporting our contracts from our asphalt and recycling facilities in Lancashire and North Manchester.”
Aggregate Industries will also support the council on wider social value aspects including providing volunteering support for local projects and working with the local supply chain where appropriate.
Carmel Foster-Devine, Head of Highways at Blackburn with Darwen Council, added:
“We are looking forward to working in partnership with Aggregate Industries to improve the road network across Blackburn with Darwen. Our local communities will also benefit from the social action and volunteering support the company invests in neighbourhoods in which it works.
“In addition, working with contractors who align with the objectives we’ve set ourselves within our Climate Change Action Plan is paramount and Aggregate Industries have shown that they can support us in addressing sustainability and resource efficiency in their project delivery.”
Conversion of former Register Office in Chesterfield moves on
Internal work has started on Chesterfield’s new centre for talking therapies – the building whch formerly housed the Chesterfield Register Office.
Beighton Construction is nine weeks into the refurbishment of the premises on Beetwell Street, for charity Derwent Rural Counselling Service.
Having completed roof works, internal strip out, new damp proofing system, floors, heating and new electrics, a team of contractors is now underway with plastering and decoration, plus installing new toilets and a lift.
The three-storey centre, set to open this summer with an official launch event in September, will include office space, numerous treatment and consulting rooms, meeting rooms and relaxation space to help cope with the increased demand for DRCS services in the area, plus options for businesses to rent rooms and floorspace.
Andrew Holmes, director at Beighton Construction, based in Chesterfield, said: “A new damp proofing system has been installed in the basement, partition walls and plaster repairs have been completed plus a new heating system, and the first phase of decorating is under way. “The new lift will offer access to all floors for centre users.”
Janette Smeeton, chief executive at DRCS, said: “Progress continues on the site which will be one of the largest talking therapy centres in the county. Bringing the building back to community use will create a valuable asset for people and businesses in the region.”
The Beetwell Street hub is part of ambitious plans for DRCS which operates a large team of freelance and employed staff based at seven centres across the county covering the Amber Valley, Erewash, Chesterfield, Buxton, Matlock, Ashbourne, Derby, Swadlincote and the Peak District.
Over the last 30 years, DRCS has become one of the largest third sector provider of counselling services in the region offering help to individuals, via self-referral or via a GP, with common mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress and long term conditions through counselling, CBT, guided self-help, and other forms of talking therapy.
In the last eight years, DRCS has been in partnership with Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust to deliver the NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression service, throughout Derbyshire.
Weaker economic activity expected in East Midlands compared to rest of UK in 2023 and 2024
Six of the seven East Midlands cities included in PwC’s Good Growth for Cities Index are out-performing the UK average on delivering against the public’s priority on transport, which measures the average commuting time to work, as the UK improves on work-life balance and hybrid working following the pandemic.
Additionally, Derby, Leicester, Lincoln and Peterborough perform ahead of the UK average for income distribution, measured by the ratio of median to mean income, an indicator of wealth equity.
The Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index ranks 50 of the UK’s largest cities (generally considered those with populations of at least 350,000 people), plus the London boroughs as a whole, based on the public’s assessment of 12 economic measures, including jobs, health, income, safety and skills, as well as work-life balance, housing, travel-to-work times, income equality, high street shops, environment and business startups.
The analysis shows that East Midlands cities score in line with the UK average in health, work-life balance, new businesses and safety. Indicators identified for improvement include income, high streets and affordability of housing, where the East Midlands achieved the lowest scores.
Overall, weaker economic activity is expected in the East Midlands compared to the rest of the UK in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, the East Midlands economy is expected to contract by 0.06%, compared to growth of 0.05% in the UK as a whole, and in 2024 the East Midlands will grow by 0.88% compared to growth of 0.99% overall in the UK.
Derby
Derby is ranked 24th out of 50 in this year’s analysis, dropping slightly from 23rd in 2022. The city performs above the UK average on jobs, transport, skills in over 25s, income distribution and safety indicators, and is in line with the UK average on income, health, work-life balance, skills for 16-24 year olds, affordability of housing, the environment and high streets.
The only area for improvement is new businesses and Derby is the only East Midlands city to have just one indicator highlighted for improvement, showing that the city is experiencing overall good growth.
Leicester
Leicester is the highest performing city in the East Midlands, and comes 16th in the index. It continues to perform well for overall economic growth, and was also the highest performing East Midlands city in last year’s analysis. Leicester scores above the UK average in work-life balance, new businesses, transport, skills across all age groups, income distribution and safety, and is in line with the UK average on jobs, health, owner-occupier rates and the environment.
Areas for improvement are income, affordability of housing and high streets.
Lincoln
Lincoln is ranked 36th out of 50 in this year’s analysis, decreasing slightly from 35th in 2022. The city performs above the UK average on owner-occupier rates, transport and income distribution, and is in line with the UK average on jobs, health, work-life balance, affordability of housing, skills, safety and high streets.
Areas highlighted for improvement are income, new businesses and the environment.
Northampton
Northampton is the lowest performing city in the East Midlands, ranking 42nd out of 50. The city performs above the UK average on health, new businesses, owner-occupier rates, transport and the environment, and is in line with the UK average on income, work-life balance, affordability of housing, skills in the over 25s, income distribution and safety.
Areas highlighted for improvement are jobs, skills for 16-24 year olds, and high streets.
That said, Northampton is forecast to grow the most in the East Midlands in the next two years. The city is expected to grow by 0.21% in 2023 and 0.98% in 2024, which is the seventh highest growth rate of the 50 cities included within the analysis. This is in stark contrast to the worst performing city in the region, Lincoln, which has the 42nd highest growth rate in 2023 (-0.25%).
Northampton has a high concentration of its activity within the transportation and storage industry. This is estimated to be a sector of notable growth in coming years, which somewhat explains Northampton’s predicted strong growth in 2023.
Nottingham
Nottingham is ranked 36th out of 50 in this year’s analysis, decreasing slightly from 34th in 2022. The city performs above the UK average on jobs, transport and safety indicators, and is in line with the UK average on health, affordability of housing, owner-occupation rates, transport, skills, income distribution, the environment and high streets.
Areas highlighted for improvement are jobs, income and new businesses.
Peterborough
Peterborough is ranked 23rd out of 50 in this year’s analysis, and was the second most overall improved UK city included in this year’s Index. The city performs above the UK average on health, transport and income distribution, and is in line with the UK average on, jobs, income, work-life balance, new businesses, affordability of housing, owner-occupier rates, skills for the over 25s, the environment and safety.
Areas highlighted for improvement are skills (16-24) and high streets.
Alex Hudson, market senior partner for PwC East Midlands, said: “The outlook in the East Midlands is a positive one, and it’s pleasing to see our cities generally fairing well in our analysis this year. Aligned with the government’s Levelling Up agenda, local government and employers have a part to play in providing opportunities for people to grow their businesses, careers and skills right across the region.
“That said, the report highlights some areas in which the East Midlands performs behind the UK average, including income and house prices, as well as weaker predicted economic growth. This should be used as a map of opportunity, showing where continued support can have a real impact on improving aspects identified by the public as priorities. The East Midlands will also benefit from the recently announced investment zones, where we will receive £80m of support over five years.
“The 2022 PwC economic outlook analysis showed that the region’s economic output remained around 3.3% smaller than pre-pandemic levels and identified the Midlands as one of the regions with the most potential for growth. One of the ways we will achieve sustained improvements in our economy in the East Midlands is continued investment in automotive and aerospace, medical and agriculture technologies that will provide economic benefits and opportunities for growth.
“PwC is continually investing in the East Midlands, using our convening power to bring together businesses and government to make positive changes for the region. Working collaboratively and focussing on some key areas for growth, such as the skills agenda, will lead to improvement across the board for the region.”
Next phase of Derby’s Castleward development gets green light with 112 new homes planned
Regeneration specialist Compendium Living has been given the green light to build the next phase of its popular Castleward development, providing a further 112 new homes in Derby city centre.
Castleward is a £100 million development and one of the city’s largest housing projects, providing around 800 new homes in total. The project, which sits between Derbion shopping centre and Derby Midland Station, is being delivered over a period of 15 to 20 years, and also includes green space and 35,000 square feet of commercial retail space.
The fourth phase of Castleward will consist of 112 new homes, including two, three and four-bedroom houses and one and two-bedroom apartments, split over two sites, one located on John Street and the other on Canal Street. There will be 34 affordable homes for housing association Riverside, and the remaining 78 properties will be available through open market sale.
Construction work will be carried out by Compendium Living’s construction partner, Lovell Partnerships, and is anticipated to start after Phase 3, which is currently under construction.
Bruce Lister, Managing Director at Compendium Living, said: “We are very proud to have received planning permission to bring another 112 brand-new homes to Derby and continue the successful regeneration of Castleward with Derby City Council, furthering our investment in the city.
“The fourth phase of Castleward will meet the needs of local people by providing employment opportunities, economic benefits and high-quality homes. We put placemaking at the heart of our work and are committed to transforming Castleward into a vibrant and sustainable new community that residents can feel proud to call home.
“We are looking forward to commencing work on the next phase and achieving the next milestone of this exciting development.”
Paul Simpson, Chief Executive of Derby City Council, said: “We’ve already created an attractive gateway to the city in the first three phases, and we’re excited to continue that with phase 4.
“This latest phase of work will deliver more high-quality homes for Derby and help us continue to build a new community in the city centre following the opening of Castleward Spencer Academy primary and nursery school in 2021.
“Now that planning permission has been granted, we’re looking forward to seeing these new homes take shape.”
Blueprint Interiors completes Gleeds office transformation
International property and construction consultancy Gleeds has recently completed the transformation of its Manchester office. The project was undertaken by Ashby-de-la-Zouch workplace consultancy and interior fit-out specialists, Blueprint Interiors and will allow the business to remain in its city centre location.
Situated at Abbey House on Mosely Street, Gleeds opted for renovation as opposed to relocation in order to retain its connectivity, giving its 80-strong staff more options to walk, cycle, or use public transport to get to work. The refurbishment forms part of a wider strategy to create a unified yet unique style for all Gleeds UK sites, delivering offices that reflect regional cultures and traditions.
The new layout incorporates a relaxed, welcoming area for visitors, collaboration and break out spaces, relaxation zones, and a workplace café to promote healthy eating and wellbeing. Versatile desk, seating, and meeting room arrangements with access to the latest high specification video conferencing and digital technology enable collaboration on a global basis.
Brian McArdle, director at Gleeds, said: “Blueprint Interiors has helped us to create a showcase office in Manchester. We now have a sustainable, fit for purpose space that has boosted morale and increased levels of employee engagement, making embracing hybrid working easier for all.
“By embedding more technology, we’re also enabling teams to collaborate more effectively across the UK and on international projects. This renovation has set a new corporate benchmark that will attract professionals to join us, impress our clients and be enjoyed by our employees.”
Andy Sawyer, project director from Blueprint Interiors, added: “The design principles were driven by a desire to provide a more open plan hybrid work environment that reflects the way people prefer to work has significantly changed. The office has also been designed to embrace the Gleeds vision and values in all areas to create an office space that inspires people to be happy and motivated to deliver their best work.”
Blueprint Interiors has been working with senior leaders at Gleeds UK to achieve a unified yet unique style nationwide, starting with offices in Bristol and Manchester.
Freeths’ Mukesh Patel awarded President’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Mukesh Patel, former managing partner of Freeths Leicester, has been awarded the President’s Lifetime Achievement award for his services to the region’s business community following his tragic death in February.
A very popular member of both Freeths and the local community, Mukesh led the firm’s dispute resolution team in Leicester and subsequently became managing partner of the Leicester office in 2014. He died unexpectedly on Saturday, February 18th, aged 54.
Much loved husband and dad-of-two, Mukesh received the top honour at the Leicestershire Law Society Awards 2023, which celebrates the achievements of the best law firms and individuals working in the legal sector across the city and the county.
The Lifetime Achievement recognises his tireless dedication to the firm and local business community.
Lisa Gilligan, managing partner of Freeths Leicester, said: “This honour for Mukesh is truly well deserved. An inspiration to many, Mukesh was a trusted and valued member of our management team. He was an exemplary team player and would always place his personal interests second to those around him for the common good.
“We lost a real force for good in the Freeths community, but his legacy will most certainly live on throughout the Leicester business community.”
