Making a splash is perfectly on Brand-son: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, reflects on the PR prowess of Sir Richard Branson.
If there’s one person I’ve met who knows about making a splash when it comes to the media, it is Sir Richard Branson.
He was at it again with the launch of ‘Virgin Voyages’, his new Australia-based cruise liner last month (December) where he danced around with his colleagues after briefing the assembled media on the new venture and demonstrated the snazzy new champagne app (shake it and champers will arrive).
Of course, being Branson (or should that be Brand-son) he couldn’t resist a bit of cheekiness and duly pushed one of his dancing buddies into the pool and then, as the cameras flashed on cue, in he went after him. Textbook stuff.
He won’t get in trouble (unless someone really is being a jobsworth!) because he’s joined in the mirth and got a thorough soaking, and by pushing the fella first the cameras were already running and trained on the pool.
It would have been way too clunky if he had just dived in and there was always a risk the cameras would not catch it. Timing is everything and Branson knows it. In fact, it is a lesson that I gladly took from him just over 10 years ago – how time flies!
I’d just finished registering the press ahead of a Richard Branson keynote speech at a major business show and there were already 60 in the room and rising. No surprise.
Branson is a dream for journalists and an absolute PR natural. What was a surprise was that he didn’t have a PR officer attending to conduct the press conference itself. There was no apparent solution until it began to dawn on me that I should conduct it. After all, I had been a business journalist myself and already had over a decade of PR experience. So, in words Branson himself uses I stepped up: “Screw it, let’s do it.”
I introduced myself to his PA and waited on the stage for Richard to arrive. He duly did to a thunderous round of applause, full of smiles, reclining in his chair.
How does one introduce one of the most famous business figures of all time? “You might recognise this chap” is not the classic I had expected to tumble out of my mouth, but it worked. The room relaxed and we went on to discuss everything from global business to negotiating with the Rolling Stones.
His latest PR stunt on the cruise liner reminded me of a section of his book, the classic autobiography ‘Losing My Virginity’. It is peppered with anecdotes about his relationship with the press, good and bad, but what he makes look effortless is also a carefully considered strategy.
Here’s an excerpt: “Most companies don’t acknowledge the press and have a tiny press office tucked away out of sight. If an inaccurate story appears…and is allowed to run…it becomes fact. Then, every time your product is mentioned, this same story will be repeated.”
The lesson here, yes, Branson is a natural at PR, a maverick even, but he still ensures he has safeguards in place. So, in 2024, I’d urge you to be more Branson. Be creative and proactive with your PR (PLEASE) but also ensure you have the ability to react.
Most of all in 2024, if you have been holding back, waiting for someone else to make their move, stop it now. With systems in place then you can just dive right in.
A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008.
He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective.
See this column in the January issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
UK economy shows growth but precarious position remains
The UK economy grew in November, with GDP* (gross domestic product) seeing a 0.3% rise, stronger than the 0.2% month-on-month growth expected and following a 0.3% fall in October.
However, GDP was down 0.2% over the three months to the end of November, keeping the economy in a precarious position.
Monthly growth reflected strong performance in services, particularly in information and communication which grew 1.5% thanks the computer games industry and telecommunications.
Services output grew 0.4% month-on-month, following a 0.1% dip, while in another positive swing production output grew 0.3% month-on-month, following a fall of 1.3% in October. Meanwhile the construction sector fell 0.2% month-on-month, after a fall of 0.4% in October 2023.
James Smith, research director at the Resolution Foundation, said: “The economy grew more strongly than expected between October and November, driven by a recovery in our services sector including strong black Friday retail sales and a high performing ICT sector, making it less likely Britain will fall into recession.
“The final verdict on 2023 will come next month, but it is essential that Britain builds some economic momentum in 2024.”
Ben Jones, CBI lead economist, said: “It’s encouraging to see that economic activity rebounded in November after the previous monthly fall. But while this means the UK should avoid a technical recession last year, it masks an overall picture of a flatlining economy.
“The CBI’s latest surveys suggest the economy will struggle to gain any traction in the near term, as consumers rein in spending and firms face a trio of headwinds in the form of subdued demand, cost pressures and ongoing difficulties finding the staff they need.
“With an election fast approaching, all parties need to look at measures which can get the economy firing on all cylinders. Full capital expensing was an exciting first step in this direction, but the Spring Budget is a chance to press ahead with a wider programme of measures around innovation, skills and decarbonisation that provide the foundations for sustainable economic growth and kick-start productivity.”
*GDP measures the value of goods and services produced in the UK. It estimates the size of and growth in the economy.
North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet to discuss pre-let for Sea Road building in Cleethorpes
North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet are set to discuss a pre-let for the Sea Road building in Cleethorpes.
Sea Road, in the heart of the town, has been remodelled over the last few years, with the former “Waves” site being demolished for redevelopment. Interrupted by COVID, the scheme has picked up again in the last few months following the award of Government’s Levelling Up Fund monies for three projects in the heart of the town, with the main construction works starting later in 2024. The landmark Sea Road building has been marketed by local agents, PPH Commercial, generating serious interest in the site from interested parties. Discussions regarding a long-term pre-let agreement are in advanced stages, and proposed Heads of Terms have now been agreed, subject to Cabinet approval, for most of the ground floor and all of the first floor of the building, to a leading independent national hospitality company. The remainder of the building will continue to be marketed for use. The Cabinet meeting is on Wednesday 17 January at 5pm at Grimsby Town Hall.Harworth completes six land parcel sales
Harworth Group plc, a regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, completed 964 residential plot sales in December.
A number of further land parcel sales are expected to complete in the coming months, reflecting continued housebuilder appetite.
The December transactions comprised six land parcel sales in Yorkshire and the Midlands to four housebuilders, and the Group’s first forward funding agreement with a registered provider as part of Harworth’s affordable housing portfolio.
The total headline sales price for these transactions was £41.2 million and all were completed at prices in line with, or ahead of, book values.
The largest of the disposals was the whole of a site in Killamarsh, Derbyshire, which has been sold jointly to both Harron Homes and Homes by Honey. In the first half of 2023, an outline planning consent was secured to develop up to 397 family homes at the site.
At its South East Coalville development in Leicestershire, Harworth has sold a land parcel to Strata for the construction of up to 184 homes. The wider development occupies a 250-acre site and has outline planning consent for more than 2,000 homes, with land now sold for over half of these, together with a new supermarket. A new 21-acre park was opened at the site in late 2023 and construction has begun on a new two-form entry primary school.
At its Prince of Wales development in Pontefract, Harworth has sold a land parcel to Harron Homes for the development of 141 new homes. The regeneration of the former Prince of Wales colliery, which will see the creation of a new community of over 900 homes, began in 2013 and is now nearing completion. To date, over 400 homes have been built and occupied at the site, with almost half of these being delivered by Harron Homes, following its first land acquisition there in 2016.
At Thoresby Vale in Nottinghamshire, a land parcel has been sold to Homes by Honey to deliver 114 family homes. The development lies on the site of the former Thoresby Colliery, which Harworth is transforming into a new community of around 800 homes, including a new primary school, retail and leisure facilities and a 350-acre country park.
Land at the site has already been sold to two housebuilders – one parcel to Harron Homes, and three parcels to Barratt and David Wilson Homes – for the delivery of over 530 houses in total. The primary school received planning approval in 2023 and construction is expected to commence later this year.
At Waverley in Rotherham, where Harworth is regenerating the former Orgreave Colliery & Coking Works into over 3,000 homes alongside the nationally-significant Advanced Manufacturing Park, extensive green space and amenities, land was sold to Homes by Honey to develop 54 family homes.
At its Gedling site in Nottinghamshire, Harworth sold a remaining small land parcel to Keepmoat Homes, which has an outline planning consent to develop 24 houses. The land parcel is adjacent to a separate development being delivered by Keepmoat Homes and Homes England on the site of the former Gedling Colliery.
Finally, Harworth signed its first forward-funding agreement for its affordable housing portfolio, at Riverdale Park in Doncaster. Harworth entered into an agreement with Great Places, which manages 24,000 homes across the North West and Yorkshire, to develop 50 new affordable housing properties at the development.
Under the terms of the agreement, Harworth has sold a land parcel to Great Places and will oversee the construction of the homes in return for a development management fee.
Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive, Harworth Group plc, said: “Our large number of residential land sales at the end of 2023, all in line with or ahead of book values, demonstrates the continued strong demand for Harworth’s de-risked serviced residential land product from a wide range of housebuilders, and we are seeing strong sales momentum as we move into 2024.
“We are also pleased to have completed our first forward-funding agreement for our affordable housing portfolio, proving the appeal of our mixed tenure model. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver much-needed new homes across these regions.”
Survival solutions manufacturer acquires Nottingham firm
Survival solutions manufacturer Wescom Group has expanded its presence in the defence market by acquiring Nottingham-based, chemical detection technology company KeTech Defence Ltd, a supplier in the provision of rapid detection solutions in the defence sector.
Wescom Group Chief Executive Officer, Ross Wilkinson says: “I’m delighted to announce that today KeTech Defence Ltd UK joins Wescom Group. KDL’s expertise in detection technologies enhances our current critical survival capabilities. We are excited to work with the management team in growing the business both organically and geographically.”
KDL expands Wescom Group’s portfolio and complements its business model of defence survival solutions that include pyrotechnic signalling, screening, training and simulation, and obstacle breaching solutions and now chemical detection.
KDL’s Tony Shaw says: “Thanks to our shared defence focus and combined market knowledge, this is an incredible opportunity to accelerate the company’s growth into new markets by leveraging Wescom Group’s extensive defence sales resource and distribution network.”
New MD for Clegg Construction
After a long and successful career in the construction industry, and with more than 20 years at the helm of Clegg Construction as Managing Director, Simon Blackburn has announced his retirement.
Michael Sims has stepped up to become MD from his previous role as commercial director, with Darren Chapman and Ross Crowcroft continuing in their roles as operations director and pre-construction director respectively.
The change in leadership comes as Clegg Construction has secured its strongest carry-forward order book, with more than £82m secured turnover for 2024.
Simon, who joined Clegg Construction in 2002, before becoming MD two years later, will remain as a group director until the end of May 2024 in support of the new generation of leadership which will take the business forward into 2024 and beyond.
“Over the last 20 years I’ve been extremely proud to lead a business that has delivered in excess of 7,000 student beds, 1,500 apartments, 1,000 care home beds, 750 hotel bedrooms and more than one million square feet of industrial schemes,” he said.
“Projects have included new builds, refurbishments, re-cladding & extensions, providing education facilities for primary, secondary, further, higher and vocational training, advanced manufacturing centres, research and development labs, offices, distribution, storage, libraries, leisure facilities, hotels, residential developments, community centres, places of worship, sports facilities, retail buildings, archives, courtrooms, the odd glulam replacement here and there, a raft ride, a cable-ski and even a crematorium.
“I am pleased to be handing over the business with a record level of carry forward workload and I congratulate Michael on his new role as Managing Director and wish him, and the other directors, all the best for the future.”
Michael Sims, who joined Clegg Construction in spring 2021, bringing to the business over 20 years of industry experience with key expertise in commercial and risk management and contract negotiation, paid tribute to his predecessor.
“I am proud to have been appointed to follow in his footsteps and take up the reins as the new MD for a company that is so well regarded and has such a long history. Alongside the other directors, I look forward to building on Simon Blackburn’s legacy and continuing to provide design and construction excellence to our clients across the country.”
Shorts makes director promotion
Shorts has promoted Alicia Williams to the position of Genus director.
Since joining Shorts in 2016 as an accounts senior, Alicia has earned promotions to client financial controller and finance system/app integrator in 2017 and then client FD and digital improvement lead in 2022.
Her progression to director is testament to her skills and is a reflection of the active role she has played in the development of Shorts’ Genus, management information offering during that time.
Partner Malcolm Pope said: “Alicia is not only recognised as a leader within Shorts, but also the wider UK accounting community, following an appearance at a Xero Talks Event in London (and subsequent Podcast) and her involvement in the recording of numerous videos for reporting software provider Fathom.
“She has long been Shorts’ ‘go-to’ in terms of helping our clients improve efficiencies and opportunities through the introduction of software solutions, but she has also more recently been heavily involved in the development of what comes next for Shorts in all things AI / data analytics completion of the data analytics qualification from the ICAEW. Alicia’s promotion is very much deserved and she has worked hard to achieve it.”
Alicia said: “I am incredibly proud to have been promoted to Genus director at Shorts and excited to be taking the next step in my professional journey. Shorts has fostered a culture of learning and development, and my promotion showcases the firm’s genuine commitment to supporting its employees’ career growth through structured paths.
“I am excited for my new role, working closely with both our existing clients and future ones and helping to contribute to the continued success of the firm.”
Pall-Ex Group appoints warehouse and logistics director
Pall-Ex Group, a Leicestershire-based pallet distribution network, has appointed Carl White as warehouse and logistics director.
Carl joins the executive team with an impressive portfolio, having accumulated over 23 years of extensive experience in the logistics sector including his recent position at Knights of Old.
Having joined the executive team in November, Carl is at the forefront of developing Pall-Ex Group’s pioneering logistics 3PL division, a strategic initiative which will see the development of warehousing and logistics centres positioned near the Pall-Ex Group hub facilities to gain a competitive advantage.
Carl White said: “Joining Pall-Ex Group represents a pivotal moment in my career. The opportunity to contribute to an organisation that is at the cutting edge of logistics solutions is both inspiring and aligns perfectly with my professional ethos. The logistics sector is a cornerstone of global commerce, and I am committed to enhancing our operational capabilities to better serve our diverse client base.”
Barry Byers, MD of Pall-Ex Group, said: “Carl’s appointment is a testament to our commitment to attracting top-tier talent. Our strategic direction has been developing over the past few years and the launch of this division will add competitive synergies aligned to our core business.
“This will provide added value to our shareholder members and our customers as we diversify to offer a seamless and visible solution direct from our storage centres through to the delivery point. Our warehousing and logistics activities will only support our growth trajectory and further reinforce our market position.”
New hire and appointment to management team for Derby accountancy firm
Derby-based accountancy firm, Ascentant Accountancy, has appointed Jayne Sheehan in a newly created role as practice manager.Jayne will manage the operational needs of the business day to day, having joined from Bhatia Best Solicitors and is the first appointment to Ascentant Accountancy’s management and leadership team as the firm restructures through a period of steady growth.
Jayne brings a wealth of leadership experience, putting solid foundations in place to develop the team, increase efficiency and launch the firm’s trainee program. The appointment of Jayne will free director, Kevin Drew, to push Ascentant Accountancy to the next level, focusing on the firm’s strategic objectives, developing commercial partnerships, sales and marketing.
Kevin will also continue to manage Ascentant Accountancy’s recently launched Ripley office and development of its niche legal PMS migration services, having recently partnered with Clio among other international legal tech suppliers. Kevin said: “We are really pleased to have Jayne onboard at this crucial period in our growth; 2023 saw us move to a new office to accommodate our growing team, launch our second office and increase our headcount, service lines and client base.
“Having recently recruited professionals from Rotheras Solicitors, John M Lewis & Co and now Bhatia Best, we are cementing our position as a specialist in the legal sector both locally and nationally.”
Centrick sells high street division
Property specialist Centrick is planning for growth across its property solutions services as it sells its high street sales and lettings business.
The firm has taken the decision to move away from high street estate and lettings agency to focus on delivering property management and associated professional services to the residential property sector.
Its high street division has been acquired by the Lomond Group and will operate under its John Shepherd brand. The deal involves teams in Nottingham, Solihull and Birmingham, with 25 staff transferring across.
Centrick’s new initiatives include a £1 million investment in tech solutions to deliver best-in-class resident engagement, further strengthening its dedicated Building Safety & Compliance service, as well as a new 3,500 sq ft ‘Centrick Academy’ – a training facility aimed at growing grass-roots talent and raising both technical ability and service standards for Centrick staff and the wider property management community.
Centrick founder James Ackrill said: “Our ambition as a group has always been to deliver a truly exceptional service, building a team of highly skilled property professionals that care about our clients and the residents we support.
“We recognise the need for focus and depth in our specialisms in order to deliver on our long-term plans and commitment to clients today, as well as into the future. This move puts the group in a really strong position to focus consistently on those specialisms and continue to enhance our already high service levels, aligning our teams around the needs of our clients.
“Our high street agency has always been extremely successful, holding numerous awards and top positions in a number of areas, driven by incredible property professionals. We are grateful and genuinely thankful to all the people that have been part of the Centrick family.
“All of the Centrick high street agency team will be transferring to John Shepherd who have a long and trusted history. This means that all of our high street clients will continue to be looked after by the people they already know and trust without any loss of service.”
Free conference will offer firms advice about upskilling
A free Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Skills and Employability Conference on February 8th will highlight the support available for businesses to upskill their workforce, further enabling local organisations to grow. organically.
Research conducted by East Midlands Chamber found that 72% of local businesses have difficulties in recruiting suitable staff. Meanwhile, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found that nearly two-fifths of organisationsare increasing efforts to meet their needs by developing more talent in-house. Upskilling existing employees is the most common response to solving recruitment issues.
Attendees will hear how local businesses have benefited from investing in upskilling existing employees, including through apprenticeships. BHP Chartered Accountants will share how they have promoted more than 70 of their own staff into more senior roles within the last year, alongside taking on more than 40 new trainees.
Chesterfield Borough Council will also reveal more details about its new skills brokerage service for businesses. Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the service aims to give firms a single point of contact for impartial advice and support on how to fill vacancies and reduce skills gaps within their organisations.
Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council commented: “We’re proud to support the annual Skills and Employability Conference because we believe it helps businesses to share best practice and encourages them to work together to develop the skills of our residents, creating a resilient workforce who are able to capitalise on new opportunities and help local businesses to grow. This year the conference will be heavily focused on the support that local businesses can access and I’d encourage any business owner to come along and find out more about the help available to them.”
Michael Timmins, Chair of the town’s Skills and Employment Partnership and Director at AECOM, said: “The annual Skills and Employability Conference continues to prove popular with firms across the town, enabling them to gain the latest information on the initiatives taking place to ensure we keep producing a strong and talented workforce for our organisations to thrive. As a collective, our town must continue to play its part in unlocking the potential of our people, so I would urge any business owner in the area to attend the conference and see how we can support you to grow.”
The event is being hosted at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel Theatre, on Thursday, 8th February 2024 (8am-11am). Book your free place at the event here.
Doggy day care business get time in Channel 5 dog behaviour programme
Chesterfield’s Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare business is to feature on Channel 5 show, Dogs Behaving Badly this year after show’s host Graeme Hall hired its ‘field of freedom’ to train two dogs.
The space was used to teach the dogs to walk better whilst on a lead, with Rose Cottage providing a secure location with large fencing, in case the pets were playing up! The epsiode is expected to be aired in the summer of 2024.
Dawn Brown, Owner of Rose Cottage Doggy Daycare said: “Graeme was a very chatty, great guy. He spent time with me and my team before and after the filming. He also signed books for us and we have lots of pictures with him”
“To be picked out of the whole of Derbyshire to use our field was amazing, and will definitely help us to stand out. He said they searched for a field to hire and ours came up when they researched our services. They were highly impressed with our site, our branding, and our whole different take on dog care in general. We were happy to oblige and would of course welcome further filming if required whilst in our region.”
Acquisitive Ideagen snaps up further Australian business
Nottingham-headquartered Ideagen, a regulatory and compliance software solutions firm, has acquired Plant Assessor, a solution for plant safety and maintenance management in Australia.
It is Ideagen’s seventh acquisition in 12 months and fourth Australian business to be brought into the Ideagen family since the start of 2023.
Ben Dorks, Ideagen CEO, said: “Plant Assessor’s software brings an enhanced level of safety to any person working on or around large plant machinery.
“Adding Plant Assessor into the Ideagen suite of solutions strengthens our EHS product portfolio, enabling us to provide advanced capabilities to our customers, particularly those involved in industries where heavy machinery is commonplace.
“We’re looking forward to helping grow its reach across our global network and excited to start 2024 as we mean to go on, building our global presence in compliance software solutions.”
Paul Dean, CEO and founder of Plant Assessor, said: “Joining Ideagen represents a fantastic opportunity for both our team and our clients.
“We are confident that this acquisition will allow us to deliver even better products and services to our existing customers while expanding the reach of our innovative solutions through Ideagen’s global network.”
Siemens Mobility in Leicestershire secures £47m contract with HS2
Siemens Mobility’s facility at Ashby de-la-Zouch will deliver a £47m contract to supply an integrated station information management system across all HS2 stations, Curzon Street, Interchange, Old Oak Common and Euston.
The project, which will support about 200 jobs, will use the same technology already in use for the millions of people travelling every day on London’s Elizabeth line, and will touch every stage of passengers’ journeys through stations.
Rob Morris, Joint-CEO at Siemens Mobility UKI, said: “We are on a mission to transform rail travel and transport, with the imagination and ambition of 5,000 UK employees. We have a significant presence in Ashby and are delighted as a result to be working in close collaboration with HS2 and our supply chain partners to deliver this landmark project. Not only will it be delivered at Ashby, here in the UK, by the next generation of engineers, it will also help create jobs and provide a boost to the local economy.”
Kim Kapur, Stations Client Director at HS2 Ltd said: “Station systems such as the public address, information and fire alarms play a vital role in the smooth running of all modern railways stations – providing clear information to passengers and staff to de-stress journeys and ensure safety throughout. Siemens have a clear track record of delivering state-of-the-art station systems and we look forward to working with them – and their team at Ashby de-la-Zouch.”
Collaboration will be at the heart of project delivery, with Siemens Mobility working closely with some of its 3,000 suppliers, 47% of which are UK-based SMEs, as well as with HS2 Ltd and its other contractors.
Siemens Mobility will oversee a significant portion of the entire process from design to supply demonstrating proven best practice. This includes Factory Acceptance Testing at its Ashby de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire laboratory testing facilities, before conducting live testing and commissioning activities on site, reducing travel to site and securing certainty of delivery.
2024 Business Predictions: Cris Wootton, Managing Director of Test Your Intolerance
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Cris Wootton, Managing Director of Test Your Intolerance in Castle Donington.
A longer-living population, increasing pressure on the National Health Service and better technology means that the health and wellbeing sector is likely to be among the more successful markets in 2024, despite the economic uncertainty which is likely to continue until at least the general election. This year we have experienced unprecedented growth and we expect this to continue into next year as more and more people are forced to take their healthcare into their own hands.
Since the pandemic, when many people began using home testing kits for the first-time, confidence has grown in the science available to people in their own homes and we expect this to continue having an impact. There’s a robust pipeline of diagnostic tools and drugs in clinical development and many of these will present major breakthroughs for patients.
Data and analytics are revolutionizing many industries, and the healthcare sector is one of the most prominent areas where it is transforming processes. It allows the improvement of outcomes, increases operational efficiencies, performs predictive analytics, monitors clients and patients in real-time, reduces fraud and streamlines finance and accounting.
I would expect firms to start taking greater responsibility for their employee’s healthcare and this level of responsibility will be more prevalent across the workplace. Remote work enables talent to work from anywhere, so I believe brands and workplace cultures will continue evolving as people reflect on life priorities. To retain and attract top talent, employers must provide work-life balance and flexible scheduling that supports mental health and time with family and friends.
Partnership between manufacturer and University of Nottingham sparks innovation in clean energy
A partnership that pairs researchers from the University of Nottingham with a UK manufacturer is set to strengthen the company’s competitive edge, by creating new capability and in-house-expertise in clean energy.
Kingsmill Industries Ltd is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of earthing materials, lightning protection products and equipment for global markets. The North Nottinghamshire-based firm has partnered with the university to help expand its portfolio and enter a new market through two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).
KTPs are a three-way collaboration between a UK-based business or charity, a research organisation, and a qualified graduate known as a KTP Associate who has the capability to lead a strategic business project.
Applying research developed within the university’s Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Group, based at the Jubilee Campus, KTP Associates Shah Meeran Zia and Shangkun Li will work alongside Kingsmill’s existing workforce, taking the lead and injecting know-how and expertise in power electronics and software, to create electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with smart functions.
Shah Meeran Zia said: “As an individual Associate, my role in bridging the University of Nottingham and Kingsmill is a rewarding journey of connection and collaboration. Together, we’re not only advancing clean energy solutions but also forging a powerful partnership that sparks innovation and drives positive change.”
The KTP will develop a UK-made electric vehicle charger with a supporting cloud-based portal, enabling Kingsmill’s customers to benefit from variable-tariff regimes and incorporating clean energy as a source of the charger’s power supply. This activity will support Kingsmill in its expansion in the clean energy sector by developing an in-house manufactured product to serve the increasing demand fuelled by the growing adoption of electric vehicles.
Mark Sumner, Professor of Electrical Energy Systems, said: “We envisage that these new products will allow end users to play an active role in how their electrical energy resources are used locally, benefitting electricity system operation, meaning fewer system bottlenecks, and being rewarded with improved electricity prices.”
Professor Sumner continued: “A good example of the function of the new EV charger is in using the battery of an EV to support the local grid at peak times, and then recharging the EV overnight when there are fewer demands on the grid. The portal will support system management and facilitate remote interactions by end users and provide a secure infrastructure to support innovative ‘Smart Grid’ technologies.”
The second KTP partners Kingsmill with Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) and KTP Associate Pischanath Ariyapolkanoksin and will see the creation of an innovative and bespoke material requirements tool and work-flow management module. The module will be capable of supporting rapid growth in the volume of transactions, while managing customer expectations, optimising inventory and human resource.
Luc Muyldermans, Associate Professor in Operations Management at NUBS, said: “Kingsmill requires tailor-made solutions to demand forecasting, production planning and inventory optimisation. This KTP touches on all aspects of materials planning and is a unique opportunity for us to develop, evaluate and implement cutting edge solutions to enable and sustain rapid growth in a complex business sector.”
David Thorpe, Kingsmill’s Managing Director, said “We are no strangers to Innovate UK’s KTP scheme, having successfully completed one in 2023, which enabled us to take huge steps forward in our ability to carry out sophisticated modelling of earthing and lightning projects.
“These two new projects with the University of Nottingham are very exciting for us and will enable us to hone our competitiveness through improved operational ability, as well as take us into exciting new markets in the renewables sector.”
£2.6m centre to train mineral resources experts for new generation
A new generation of mineral resource experts to enable the UK’s transition to sustainable energy are to be trained by a consortium representing academia and industry, led by the University of Leicester.
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation, have announced £2.6 million to support a multi-institution centre for doctoral training, the Training and Research Group for Energy Transition Mineral Resources (TARGET), to address the skills and research needs for the UK.
It is one of four new Natural Environment Research Council-funded centres that will teach the next generation of PhD students who will go on to build careers in research, business and public service.
Each year, over 3 billion tonnes of metals are produced from mineral resources. Mineral resources underpin society – without them we would have no infrastructure, no industry and no technology.
The UK’s transition to renewable energy generation and use – through wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles for example – is increasing the demand for mineral resources. Some of them are considered ‘critical’ – economically important but with challenged supply chains that are vulnerable to disruption. Growing expertise in critical mineral resources will help to develop secure and sustainable supply.
The TARGET centre is a UK wide group of universities, research organisations and industrial partners, led by the University of Leicester’s Centre for Sustainable Resource Extraction that will provide doctoral-level training in the full lifecycle of minerals from sector leaders. TARGET is recruiting its first cohort of researchers to start in October 2024.
TARGET’s leader Dr Dan Smith, from the University of Leicester School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, said: “TARGET is a really exciting opportunity for us to train a next generation of researchers with the skills they need to tackle some of the biggest challenges in mineral resources: how do they form? How can we find the raw materials we need? How can we process and extract them efficiently, and how can we be more sustainable whilst doing so?
“It’s not just about getting more resources either. We know we need more careful stewardship of the resources we do have – considering circular economy models, better waste management, and more efficient use of mineral products.”
The TARGET Centre will combine PhD research projects with a multidisciplinary training programme that will provide skills in mineral exploration, processing, finance, policy and sustainability at all stages of a mineral’s use – from a rock in the ground to the end of a product’s useful life. TARGET’s training will be led by a mix of academic researchers and industry practitioners, and the parentship of the centre includes some of the most important global companies in mining, mineral analysis, environmental standards, and finance.
TARGET will operate alongside other UKRI programmes, including the £15 million CLIMATES programme being delivered by Innovate UK, boosting rare earth circularity, to provide opportunities for UK industry and research to enhance the responsible supply of minerals.
Science, Research and Innovation Minister, Andrew Griffith, said: “Backing our brightest students to tackle issues as vital as flooding and protecting our water quality is an investment in protecting the landscape of the UK, while defending our planet and the resources we need to deliver us all healthier and more prosperous lives.
“With more than £10m in funding over the coming years it will also help to skill-up students in high-value research, which will grow the UK economy and ensure we fulfil the potential of the talent spread throughout our country.”
Professor Peter Liss, Interim Executive Chair of NERC, said: “This investment by NERC will equip the next generation of environmental science researchers with the technical and professional skills to tackle some of the most significant challenges facing the UK and globally.
“The new centres for doctoral training will focus on the key themes of flood management, freshwater quality, sustainable mineral resources and wetland conservation.”
Land sale at Kirton to create 80 jobs for local economy
The latest sale of land at Kirton Distribution Park will create an additional 80 jobs for the local economy.
Lincolnshire County Council has recently finalised the sale of 10.28 acres at the site, which completes phase 3 of the development.
The sale to Dhoot Transmission UK, known locally as Parkinson Harness Technology, will allow them to construct a new factory – manufacturing specialist vehicle parts, following planning permission being granted last year.
Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at the county council, said: “This new factory will be a fantastic addition to the 27-acre Kirton Distribution Park, and Parkinson Harness Technologies will be joining other high profile businesses on the site such as Duckworth Jaguar Land Rover and Sportsbikeshop.
“All of the land here has now been allocated, and Kirton is another example of how the council is providing the investment to encourage businesses to start-up, re-locate and grow, in our county.”
David Earnshaw, Managing Director at Parkinson Harness Technology, said: “Parkinson Harness Technology (PHT) are delighted to announce their plans for construction of a new facility at Kirton.
“The facility will enable the company to further develop their position as a leading supplier of High Voltage leads for the UK specialist vehicle market alongside their long standing Low Voltage product.
“When your bins are emptied, it is in part, with product made here in Lincolnshire. We’d like to thank both Lincolnshire County Council and Boston Borough Council for their critical help in putting this project together.”
£4m Chesterfield rail innovation facility on track for planning permission
Engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask is leading the design team currently working on RIBA Stage 4 designs for the Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle (DRIIVe) in Chesterfield, which is awaiting planning permission.
The modern rail innovation and training centre will provide more than 1,400 square metres of floor space consisting of classroom and workshop training areas, and specialist research and development facilities – including a digital laboratory and commercial offices.
Appointed via the ESPO 2664 framework, Rodgers Leask’s involvement so far includes a full-service offering, comprising structural and civil engineering consultancy, geo-environmental engineering investigations and transport planning advice. The consultancy’s various experts are working to overcome the operational constraints posed by the busy industrial site, while also protecting the surrounding area’s interesting features – such as the historically significant Barrow Hill Roundhouse.
Kriston Harvey, director at Rodgers Leask, said: “This is a very important project for the area and therefore we’re proud to be involved. Not only will it bring additional full-time jobs to the local area, it will also provide training facilities to enable people to learn new skills and open the door to highly skilled career opportunities in the rail industry.
“The research and development aspect of the building will see it become a prominent location for rail technology research and innovation, with fantastic links to the rail network.
“As everyone recognises the significant benefits that the project can bring to the community, engagement between the client, design team and other key stakeholders has been very positive and productive.
“Chesterfield has a clear vision for how it wants to develop over the coming years, with a strong plan for growth – it has been exciting to work with the council on this key project.”
In total the building is expected to cost around £4 million, with funding for the project being provided through the Staveley Town Deal. Development of the centre is being delivered by Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, Chesterfield Borough Council and New Rail – part of Newcastle University.
Mervyn Allcock, general manager at Barrow Hill Roundhouse, said: “If it is approved, DRIIVe will help establish Barrow Hill as the home of the rail industry in Chesterfield and we look forward to speaking to companies about the potential benefits of being based at the centre. Any revenue from the building will be used to support the Roundhouse in achieving its aim of preserving our local Rail heritage.”
Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “The Rail sector offers a fantastic range of high-quality careers and DRIIVe is all about ensuing our residents can receive the skills and training they need to access these opportunities. This is an ambitious project that will create opportunities for generations to come and reflects the council’s aims to expand the local Rail sector.
“I’m delighted that Town Deal funding is being used to support the development of this building because new training facilities like this will improve career prospects and help ensure that Staveley is the place to start, to stay and to grow.”
Rodgers Leask is working alongside architect Frank Shaw Associates, building services consultancy CPW and planning consultant Planning & Design Group. A planning decision is expected in early 2024.
Chamber achieves WELL Health-Safety Rating
East Midlands Chamber is helping to set the bar for workplace wellbeing after landing a global accreditation – with the help of the region’s top expert in the field.
The region’s largest business representation group has achieved the WELL Health-Safety Rating at its offices in Chesterfield and Nottingham, following consultancy support from workplace consultants and office fit-out specialists Blueprint Interiors, based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for buildings that focuses on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-Covid environment now and into the future.
WELL certification helps large and small businesses to take the necessary steps in order to prioritise the health and safety of their staff, visitors and stakeholders by reviewing environmental aspects such as air and water quality, nourishment, light, noise and comfort.
The WELL Health-Safety Rating focuses on stakeholder engagement, health resources, emergency preparedness and cleaning procedures. East Midlands Chamber director of resources Lucy Robinson said: “The pandemic shone a new light on how we manage workspaces in order to instil confidence among employees and visitors who use our buildings, whether it is everyday or on a hybrid working basis.
“We therefore felt it was important to adopt a recognised standard to ensure our buildings support the wellbeing of our people when they are working from the office in order to support collaboration with colleagues.
“Working closely with our patron Blueprint Interiors, we focused on areas including air and water quality management, cleaning and sanitation, emergency preparedness, health service resources, and stakeholder engagement and communication.
“As a result of these efforts, we are delighted to have received the WELL Health-Safety Rating, which we believe will enhance our offer as an employer of choice in the region while also acting as an exemplar for our 4,000-plus members.”
Workplace design consultancy and interior fit-out specialist Blueprint Interiors became the first company in the East Midlands to achieve the WELL Health-Safety Rating in 2021, and now supports other businesses to meet the requirements for accreditation.
Rebecca Beadle is a WELL-accredited professional, and lead project designer and well-being specialist at Blueprint Interiors.
She said: “We are continuously innovating in order to bring workplace consultancy, practical processes, sustainable building techniques, psychological theory, data insights and accreditations such as the WELL Building Standard together to ensure workplaces meet the needs of the people that use them.
“East Midlands Chamber has fully embraced all these principles and we are pleased to have been able to support it to achieve this prestigious rating.”
