Surprise slowdown for inflation

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Surprise slowdown for inflation
The rate of inflation decelerated in August, coming in lower than expected, in part due to the easing of food and non-alcoholic beverage prices. Annualised inflation was 6.7%, decreasing from 6.8% in July. The better than expected inflation data, which had been anticipated to come in at 7%, is creating hope that the Bank of England may leave interest rates as they are tomorrow. Meanwhile core inflation, which takes out energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, rose 6.2% in the 12 months to August 2023, down from 6.9% in July. While the news has been received positively, the recent rise in global oil and domestic fuel prices, and continuing rise in wages, are causing concern over the future of continued inflation falls.

Kirkby in Ashfield warehouse unit let

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Kirkby in Ashfield warehouse unit let
Acting on behalf of long-term private clients, Ketlin Maeorg and Tim Gilbertson of FHP have completed a warehouse letting in Kirkby in Ashfield. The property benefits from a large yard with fenced and gated access. Ketlin Maeorg said: “I am really pleased with the recent completion of Mill Lane and to have secured this letting for our client. “I believe this deal is a great result for all parties and I wish the new tenants the best of luck in the future. There are not many properties of such nature currently on the market and it was an ideal fit for the new occupier and their business operations. “The level of enquiries the subject property produced proves the continuously high demand we have for good quality industrial units. I look forward to new completions and welcoming new stock to the market.”

Journeo snaps up MultiQ

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Journeo snaps up MultiQ

Journeo plc, an Ashby-de-la-Zouch-headquartered provider of information systems and technical services to transport operators and local authorities, has acquired MultiQ Denmark A/S (MultiQ) for a total consideration of €2.5m on a debt free cash free basis.

MultiQ is a full-service provider of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) with customers in Denmark, Sweden and Iceland. The acquisition will provide opportunities for cross-selling of products, technologies and software and strengthens Journeo’s presence in the Nordic market, where it already operates in Stockholm.

Based in Aarhus, Denmark, MultiQ is one of the market leaders in developing and supplying public information systems for bus travel, such as fleet management software and on-board passenger infotainment, indoor and outdoor real-time display systems.

Founded over 15 years ago, MultiQ’s customers include Passenger Transport Authorities (PTAs) and local authorities Passenger Transport Operators (PTOs).

MultiQ was part of a larger group which was acquired by Vertiseit, a Swedish-based retail technology company specialising in digital in-store media in May 2022. In January 2023 the retail digital media assets and a number of employees of MultiQ were transferred out to Dise, a Vertiseit subsidiary, leaving MultiQ as a purely ITS focussed business.

Management expects MultiQ’s revenue for the current year to 31 December 2023 will be approximately €3.3m, with an operating profit of €260k.

Russ Singleton, Chief Executive of Journeo plc, said: “The acquisition of MultiQ provides Journeo with an established, full-service provider of Intelligent Transport Systems in Denmark and further strengthens our expansion into the Nordic markets.

“MultiQ has a leading position and strong SaaS based sales approach with approximately 40% recurring revenue that will complement our existing offering and bring further scale to our cloud-based applications.”

Matt Wallace, Director of Estates and Building Services at Leicester City Council, to deliver keynote speech at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

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Matt Wallace, Director of Estates and Building Services at Leicester City Council, to deliver keynote speech at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Matt Wallace, Director of Estates and Building Services at Leicester City Council, is set to replace Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, as keynote speaker at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023. Matt said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 as keynote speaker. The awards are a fantastic platform to shine a light on the outstanding work of those that are shaping the landscape of the East Midlands region. I am very much looking forward to celebrating the great successes of the companies and individuals that make our region a prime investment destination.” Showcasing the East Midlands’ property and construction industry, this year’s East Midlands Bricks Awards will take place on Thursday 28 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. The awards, which will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm, also present a prime opportunity to network with the leaders of property and construction businesses from across the region over canapés and complementary drinks, sponsored by Nicholas Associates. Attend the glittering awards ceremony to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agents of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner. Dress code is standard business dress.

Tickets can be booked here.

 

Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

Most Active Estate Agent – sponsored by OMS

BB&J Commercial

Mather Jamie

FHP   Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by MKM

HBD – Power Park, Nottingham

Henry Brothers Construction – SportPark Pavilion 4, Loughborough

Bolsterstone Group Plc, Chesterfield Borough Council – One Waterside Place, Chesterfield   Responsible Business of the Year – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Cawarden G F Tomlinson Aspbury Planning Limited   Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance

Phoenix Brickwork UK Ltd – St Marks student accommodation, Lincoln

Elms Developments – Elms Phase Two Ltd

St James Securities, Grainger – The Condor, Derby

  Deal of the Year – sponsored by Mather Jamie

Rushton Hickman Limited – Branston Locks deal

Bassi Group Nottingham Ltd – Job saving Pizza Hut takeover

Rigby & Co – Aida Factory deal

  Developer of the Year – sponsored by Ward

Chevin Homes

Clowes Developments

Brackley Property Developments

  Architects of the Year – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors

IMA Architects

Matthew Montague Architects

Influence Landscape Planning and Design

  Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden

Chevin Homes – Amber Farm

Marchini Curran Associates – Phoenix cinema and art centre

Trident Construction Services – Lark Hill Retirement Village refurbishment

  Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Ltd

HBD – Power Park, Nottingham

Henry Brothers Construction – SportPark Pavilion 4, Loughborough

Elms Developments – Elms Phase Two ltd

  Contractor of the Year – sponsored by RammSanderson Cawarden

EE Smith Contracts

Bowmer + Kirkland

  The Overall Winner, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 When: Thursday 28 September 2023, 4:30pm – 7:30pm Where: The Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground Keynote speaker: Matt Wallace, Director of Estates and Building Services at Leicester City Council Dress code: Standard business attire Tickets: Available here Parking: Due to the Notts V Middlesex 4 day County Championship fixture, parking will likely be limited at Trent Bridge on the day, therefore parking has been made available for Bricks guests at the Notts Sports Club, Holme Road, NG2 5AA (by Nottingham Rugby Football Club), quoting “Bricks Awards” to any parking and gate stewards. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:
 

Architects submit planning application for new meditation hall

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Architects submit planning application for new meditation hall
A planning application has been submitted to South Derbyshire District Council for a new Meditation Hall at the Grade II listed Ashe Hall in Etwall on behalf of the Tara International Kadampa Retreat Centre. Matthew Montague Architects have designed a new Tara Meditation Hall that can be used for a variety of teaching and meditation practices. A simple, light and airy space which can be opened up to the surrounding landscape. Architect, Matthew Montague said: “There are a number of beautiful Buddhist spaces across the UK, the main one being the Kadampa Temple for World Peace in Ulverston in the Lake District, however, the Tara Meditation Hall will be unique in its design. “I’ve designed a lot of buildings over the past 25 years but never one that will be used by thousands of visitors from around the world before.” Ashe Hall was built in 1869, it was a family home until it became a boarding school for boys in 1920. The hall was used as a World War II Red Cross hospital and then passed to local government ownership and operated as a special school until it was purchased by The Tara Buddhist Centre in 1996. Since it has operated as the Tara International Kadampa Retreat Centre. The main hall comprises residential accommodation and teaching spaces for the practice of Kadampa Buddhism, with the courtyard buildings being ancillary teaching accommodation and a World Peace Café, that is open to all. Beyond this are detached staff houses. The centre had a meditation hall for many years, it was a pre-fabricated structure, however it fell into a state of disrepair and was eventually condemned as a health risk and was demolished in the late 1990’s. The new Hall will comfortably accommodate 250 people and will be a focal point for the thousands of visitors who use it for classes, retreats and national Buddhist celebrations every year. Matthew added: “Understanding the client’s requirements and beliefs and integrating them with architecture were really important for this design. If planning permission is granted the new centre will be a modern building that retains the essential meaningful ordainments and aspects that make a holy place within the Buddhist tradition.” A planning decision from South Derbyshire District Council is expected in the coming weeks.

Auctioneer appoints former apprentice to Board

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Auctioneer appoints former apprentice to Board

Nottingham-headquartered national auction house, John Pye & Sons Ltd, has bolstered its senior team by appointing Trevor Palethorpe to its Board of Directors.

Trevor began his career with auctioneer John Pye in 1997 as a junior to company co-owner Ann Pye. Since the early days he has held many roles within the business and is a key part of the team, led by Managing Director Adam Pye, that has transformed the small family firm into an award-winning, multi-million-pound business.

Currently, Trevor jointly heads up the auctioneers Business Assets and Property divisions, drawing from over two decades of experience in the turnaround and restructuring market.

Over the last 24 months, his role has evolved to include overseeing the company’s marketing strategy. During this period, bidder registrations rates have almost doubled, the company has experienced the fastest ever social media growth and its website is ranked the number one auction site in the UK.

Trevor says: “To be joining the Board at such a pivotal time in the firm’s history is incredibly exciting and humbling. Since joining the firm as a trainee all those years ago, the business has evolved almost beyond recognition, particularly in the last few years.

“It is my ambition that when I step down in the distant future the company achieves sustainable growth and is even bigger and better than it is today.”

Trevor has provided valuation and sales advice on some of the UK’s most high-profile administration cases, including Phones4U, Jack Wills, Jessops Plc, Sofa Workshop and most recently MADE.com, securing stock with a retail value of £33million.

Adam Pye, Managing Director, says: “Trevor has played a pivotal role in helping to develop John Pye and Sons into the renowned award-winning, multi-million-pound business it is today.

“This appointment is a testament to our commitment to growing talent from within and the part Trevor has played in helping us drive into new markets and achieve our ambitious goals to date.”

A former President of NAVA Propertymark (The National Association of Valuer & Auctioneers), which currently has a network of over 20,000 members, Trevor has sat on its advisory board since 2017. He was also appointed a Director of Turnaround Management Association UK in 2021, an organisation dedicated to all aspects of business turnaround, recovery and renewal.

The appointment takes the number of Board directors at the independent family business to nine and comes as the auction specialist looks to continue a sustained period of growth.

Planning permission granted for housing development near Louth

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Planning permission granted for housing development near Louth
New homes are coming to Louth after developer Charterpoint received outline planning permission to build up to 90 new properties on a 12-acre site off Daisy Way. East Lindsey District Council has approved the outline application for a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom homes, plus a children’s play area, surface water attenuation ponds, wildflower meadows, sustainable drainage and an amenity lawn for communal informal recreation. The site is an extension of the popular Westfield Park. Adrian Goose, CEO of Charterpoint, said: “We are very pleased to have received outline planning permission for this site on the edge of Louth. It will provide additional much-needed, attractive housing for individuals and families in an area close to the services and amenities that the town offers. “Charterpoint has extensive experience of delivering quality schemes and we look forward to drawing up detailed designs for this site and extending the popular community that we have created at Westfield Park.” The site, which is bounded by the A16 Louth bypass to the north west and by Westfield Park to the south and east, will be accessed off Daisy Way and will include green infrastructure to provide an attractive quality environment for residents and visitors with consideration given to access for pedestrians and cyclists, enhancement of wildlife biodiversity, sustainable drainage solutions and promotion of use of outdoor spaces for improved mental and physical health and well-being. Charterpoint also plans to incorporate open water, swales and ditches as part of the sustainable drainage strategy to contribute to local biodiversity. The exact number and mix of new homes on the site, which is currently fallow land, will be defined during detailed design stage.

Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Angelique Foster, joins the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre’s Governance Board

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Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Angelique Foster, joins the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre’s Governance Board
The East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre have announced that the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Angelique Foster, is joining their Governance Board. Commissioner Foster was elected to the role as PCC in 2021. She has been a key figure in local government for more than a decade. As well as joining the Board at the EMCRC, the commissioner also provides funding to the Business Crime Reduction Partnership which supports the work of the East Midlands Chamber in protecting businesses across Derbyshire. Law-abiding citizens and victims of crime lie firmly at the heart of all the priorities in her Police and Crime Plan. Since being elected, Angelique has secured over £7.3 million in additional funding to boost community safety in Derbyshire and Derby City. Her focus on strong local policing across the force area, alongside a relentless approach to raising standards, has seen trailblazing approaches introduced to tackling rural crime, anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls and support for victims of crime. To deliver on this work, the Commissioner has increased partnership working with key partners across the county to help roll out new initiatives that are tackling the priorities within her Police and Crime Plan. The Commissioner is also a local County Councillor at Derbyshire County Council and as such has fulfilled a variety of responsibilities through the years, including as a Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and a Board Member of the Enterprise and Employment Board. As Police and Crime Commissioner, she currently sits on a number of boards including the East Midlands Criminal Justice Board, Derbyshire and Derby Road Safety Partnership and both the Derbyshire and Derby City Safer Communities Board. On her appointment, the Commissioner said: “I am pleased to join the EMCRC’s board and further support its work across the region. “Cyber crime is a growing threat to businesses with criminals becoming increasingly more sophisticated in their approach. Many online crimes are preventable with the right resources and security in place and affordability should not be a barrier. “Tackling cybercrime and working closely with partners on the issue is a priority in my Police and Crime Plan. By working with the EMCRC and regional policing colleagues, I will help ensure Derbyshire stays ahead of the risks and trends and that businesses receive the support they need to protect their data assets from attack. This includes reducing their vulnerability so that cybercriminals are unable to exploit any weaknesses.” Colin Ellis, EMCRC Managing Director and Police Lead, added: “The admission of Commissioner Foster onto our board is without doubt the most significant moment in the EMCRC’s short history. It is not only recognition of the significant threat that online crime brings to our communities, but importantly it also validates the pivotal role that the EMCRC has in helping organisations to build their resilience against it. “Upon being introduced to the EMCRC, the Commissioner immediately recognised the value of the CRC and was quick to offer her support, demonstrating her determination to help protect Derbyshire businesses and local services. “My fellow directors and I are delighted to welcome Commissioner Foster to the board and look forward to working together with her to help our business communities become more secure and resilient.” To see all board members and the EMCRC team as a whole, visit: Meet The Team | East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (emcrc.co.uk) The EMCRC are looking to make further valuable additions to our CRC board – this is an opportunity for the region’s significant businesses and organisations to join together with senior law enforcement officials and government to inform regional developments on cyber resilience and reduce the risk posed by cyber criminals to their supply chains, customer bases and the wider SME community. The EMCRC are interested to hear from those organisations who feel they could contribute.

Bringing together service leavers at the Gen Dit Network event

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Bringing together service leavers at the Gen Dit Network event
Forces Cars Direct recently had the honour of attending the Gen Dit Network event at the unique ABC Building in Manchester, where service leavers and ex-military met to discuss transition, veterans in business and to offer help to those that may need it. The Gen Dit Network is a group based on LinkedIn that is very simply a safe space for anyone that is leaving the Military to find help and advice. In the group are veterans that have been through the resettlement process, recruiters and veteran-friendly businesses that offer employment, and a whole range of other people that simply want to help the ex-forces community. Follow and join the group here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12642379/ Forces Cars Direct attended the North West meet up for this group organised by Chris Shaw and Jim Holland, with people attending from further a field too. Inspiring talks were delivered by Andy Reid MBE, James Wilthew and Dr Andrew Steele. Comments from attendees included: “What a fantastic day it was. A really valuable demonstration of how the network works.” “Great afternoon. Good to swap stories and to make some really useful connections.” “A highly useful afternoon. Great venue. Great food. Great company.” “What a fantastic event. Looking forward to being part of more.” There are some exciting times ahead with the Gen Dit Network and Forces Cars Direct are proud to be able to support this important group. Click here to find out more about the Gen Dit Network and join future events.

The Access Group expands management team

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The Access Group expands management team
As part of its global growth strategy, The Access Group, the Loughborough-headquartered providers of business management software for small and mid-sized organisations, has significantly expanded its management team with four new C-suite appointments. Last year Access signed a further significant investment deal with shareholders Hg and TA which is driving global expansion across the Group. Investment in top talent and skills at a senior level is a fundamental part of delivering the Group’s growth strategy.
In a new role as chief information security officer, Diego Baldini joins Access bringing a wealth of international and multi-cultural experience in cybersecurity technologies, management of policies and compliance initiatives, as well as leadership of security teams and engagement in the massive cybersecurity community.
Diego has over 23 years’ experience and has dedicated his career to cybersecurity, he was the first CISO of Renault Group in Paris, France; prior to that he was CISO of HERE Technologies in Berlin, Germany. Diego has also held multiple cybersecurity leadership positions at Nokia Corporation in Finland and China.
Pooja Singh joins as Managing Director, Global Operation Centres, APAC. Pooja sits on the Access APAC leadership team and is responsible for the launch and delivery of the GO Centres in APAC, supporting the Group’s global expansion.
Pooja Singh
Pooja joins Access from Google, where over four years she scaled up and established Google Operations Centres across four locations in Asia-Pacific, growing the team from zero to 5,000. Before her tenure at Google, Pooja held pivotal leadership roles at organisations such as Cognizant and Tata Consultancy Services, where she played an instrumental role in setting up and managing key accounts and fostering language-intensive capabilities offshore under the BFSI vertical. Claire Carter joins as Managing Director, ERP. Claire replaces Brendan Flattery who after three years at Access and 38 years of executive roles, has retired. With a pedigree of over 20 years’ experience working in the field of tax and accounting, Claire joins Access from Wolters Kluwer where she held the role of CEO of Europe, responsible for several countries with a portfolio of over 250 products and services.
Claire Carter
Claire previously held executive roles for companies including Alliance & Leicester, Morgan Stanley and Sage and has a legacy of building high-performing teams and delivering operational excellence and efficiency, focusing on transforming organisations and strategies aligned to emerging markets. Claire is a qualified Executive Coach and has worked with executive teams in several FTSE 100 companies.
Pip White has been appointed as Senior Vice President for Sales. Formerly, the Senior Vice President and GM of Slack EMEA, Pip has over 20 years of experience working in the technology market in Sales and GM leadership roles, including Hewlett Packard, Salesforce and Google.
Her expertise is in high growth and fast paced technology environments which require strong alignment across multiple functions and a growth mindset. Turning around culture, strong people leadership, high growth and transformation programmes are where she excels and has delivered consistent and exceptional results.
Pip White
Pip has led large sales organisations within the UK&I, Europe, North America, Middle East & Africa looking after customers across small to medium business, public sector through to the largest global enterprises. Pip has been included in the past 4 years of the UKtech50 longlist of the UK’s influential tech leaders.
The Access Group CEO, Chris Bayne welcomed the new team into the Group saying: “We are delighted to welcome Diego, Pooja, Claire and Pip – four exceptional industry leaders into Access. They are all experts with deep knowledge and expertise in their field, having demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision and a track-record of success.
 

“These strategic appointments support our further growth and expansion, and our exceptional team is perfectly structured to support our people and deliver for our customers and investors.

“I also want to thank Brendan for his phenomenal contribution to the Group as MD of our ERP division, his dedication and commitment to excellence has played an invaluable role in the success story of Access.”
 

New framework win for Henry Brothers Construction

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New framework win for Henry Brothers Construction

Nottingham-headquartered contractor Henry Brothers Construction has been awarded a place on the North West Construction Hub Framework (NWCH) for the first time.

The company, which expanded into the North West last year, has been appointed to the medium value construction framework for projects of between £3m and £8m.

The NWCH is a leading public sector construction framework, established in 2009, which has helped to deliver more than £2.79 billion worth of projects.

It covers Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, and Cumbria, as well as five areas of Cheshire, including Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester.

MD of Henry Brothers Construction Ian Taylor said: “It is great news that Henry Brothers Construction has won a place on the North West Construction Hub Framework. This is a key public sector framework with clients including local authorities, universities, NHS foundation trusts, blue light organisations, housing trusts, colleges and academies, and more.

“Henry Brothers has significant experience of working with public sector partners and being appointed on the NWCH Framework opens up a potential pipeline of new business for us in a region in which we are steadily growing our presence.”

Henry Brothers Construction is one of 11 contractors appointed onto the three-year medium value construction framework, which began this month (September) and has an option to extend for a further year.

Ian Hall, framework lead, NWCH, said: “Congratulations to our esteemed construction contractor partners on their exceptional bids to join the new iteration of the NWCH Medium Value Framework. Your commitment to quality and expertise truly stood out, and we eagerly anticipate the collaborative successes that lie ahead.”

The NWCH Framework is the 11th framework that Henry Brothers Construction is currently appointed on.

Leicester manufacturer makes solar investment

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Leicester manufacturer makes solar investment
Energy costs at Leicester-based manufacturer Michael Smith Switchgear (MSSL) have dropped by more than £20,000 per year as investment in a solar photovoltaic (PV) energy system means around two-thirds of its energy now comes from the sun. Results from its first full year of operation show that the solar PV system is generating 102 kilowatts (kW) at peak and produces approximately 97,000kWh of electricity annually. It means the MSSL factory has reduced its carbon emissions by more than 25 tonnes per year, the equivalent of taking five petrol cars off the road. Design and installation of the new energy system, which includes 284 solar panels on the south-facing pitch of the factory roof, was completed by specialist renewable energy installer Geo Green Power. With two-thirds of its energy generated entirely emissions-free, Michael Smith Switchgear says the solar PV system has exceeded expectations. The company expects to see a full return on its investment within three years while saving more than £500k on energy bills over the next 25 years. Sean Smith, Managing Director, Michael Smith Switchgear, said: “The installation of Geo Green’s solar PV system has given us independence and control over our energy bills and is another important milestone as we continue to reduce our climate impact. “We became carbon neutral in 2022 and we were the first, and are still the only, UK switchgear manufacturer to achieve the accolade. Our approach is to look at every aspect of our business in relation to its climate impact – for example, we redesigned our products to reduce our use of copper by 25 percent, or more than 12 tonnes, every year.” Emily Smith, operations and finance director, said: “In recent years we have removed all gas heating from our business and we changed our waste disposal system so that nowadays we send zero-waste to landfill. “We’re not resting on our laurels though – we’re a forward-thinking business so now we’re looking at rainwater harvesting and the installation of a ‘green’ factory roof. And, after that, we’ll move on to the next thing.” James Cunningham, Managing Director, Geo Green Power, said: “Companies are becoming much more proactive on environmental issues and, with energy usage and costs continuing to rise, solar installation continues to makes sense financially. “It’s not just solar either – we’re seeing a growing interest in heat pumps, battery storage, EV chargers and other products as well.”

Video games label sees record revenue while pre-tax profits slide

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Video games label sees record revenue while pre-tax profits slide

The CEO of Team17, the video games label with offices in Nottingham, Manchester, and Wakefield, is “pleased with the group’s first half performance” as strong growth delivered record revenue levels.

According to unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2023, revenues increased 31% to £69.7m, up from £53.2m in the same period of 2022, driven by a diversified portfolio of games, apps and strong new release profile.

Profit before tax, however, slipped at the business, to £8.1m, decreasing from £11.2m in H1 2022.

Debbie Bestwick MBE, CEO of Team17, said: “We are pleased with the group’s first half performance, with strong growth delivering record revenue levels, against a backdrop of one of the most competitive years for high quality launches and deep peer discounting that I can remember.

“The strength of our results illustrates the success of our diverse portfolio strategy, expertise in lifecycle management and franchise building, disciplined approach to discounting, and the tireless commitment of our people across the group.

“We are mindful that the gaming environment remains highly competitive, and we continuously review cost efficiencies to ensure we have the right balance between internal and outsourced resources in our service areas. We believe that this will enable us to remain agile and cost effective to deliver the best results for our partners and stakeholders over future years. 

“astragon and StoryToys continue to deliver strong revenue growth, high quality content and synergy opportunities. In the current environment, I believe our strong balance sheet and M&A track record puts us in an excellent position to pursue further opportunities which can support our strategy of enhancing the group’s reach across genres, platforms, and customer demographics.

“We are being presented with more new content opportunities of quality than ever before and will remain as highly disciplined in our approach as ever to ensure we maintain our track record of delivering exceptional games to our customers.

“I have been impressed with the passion, insight, and leadership that Steve Bell has already brought to the group in his role as CEO designate and am delighted with Frank Sagnier’s appointment as Chair designate. So finally, as I enter my last few months as CEO, I can confidently say I have never been more excited about the group’s leadership and future.”

Mattioli Woods subsidiary acquires Blackpool wealth management business

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Mattioli Woods subsidiary acquires Blackpool wealth management business
Specialist wealth and asset management business Mattioli Woods’ subsidiary Ludlow Wealth Management Group Limited has acquired Opus Wealth Management Limited for an initial consideration of £0.71 million and potential further consideration of up to £0.71 million dependent on the attainment of specified performance targets in the year after completion. Opus is based in Blackpool and provides financial planning and wealth management services to circa 100 private client families with approximately £53 million of assets under advice. In the year ended 30 April 2023, Opus generated revenues of £0.37 million with a profit before taxation of £0.14 million. At 30 April 2023, Opus had net assets of £0.10 million. Michael Wright, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Leicester-based Mattioli Woods, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Opus Wealth Management to the Mattioli Woods Group, as part of the Ludlow business. We’ve highlighted we have a strong pipeline of bolt-on acquisition opportunities that can help us accelerate and complement our organic growth. This transaction marks another step towards our strategic goals.” Ian Hemingway, Chief Executive Officer of Ludlow, said: “Opus is a business we know well.  I expect our familiarity with the Opus team and our shared approach to looking after clients to facilitate a smooth integration over the next few months. This acquisition further strengthens our operations in the North West as we look to build upon our existing presence in the area.”

Lincolnshire gets £2m to launch new raft of skills bootcamps

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Lincolnshire gets £2m to launch new raft of skills bootcamps
The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership has been awarded £2m by the Department for Education to develop another wave of Skills Bootcamps in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council. There are courses available across a wide range of subjects including, electrical engineering, skills for the care sector, digital marketing, management and more. Skills Bootcamps are flexible training courses for adults lasting at least 60 hours. They can help learners fast track to a new job, take on more responsibility in their role or gain new contracts if they are self-employed. The courses are typically at level 3, 4 or 5. Employers can send members of staff onto a Skills Bootcamp to fill skills gaps within their business; in this case the courses are heavily subsidised with only a small contribution to pay. Employers can also help develop a Skills Bootcamp focused on the skills needs of your business or help out with existing bootcamps by offering interviews to the newly qualified people who have completed one of the courses. Two hundred and seventy-two learners attended previous Skills Bootcamps in Lincolnshire and Rutland and over 94% have taken on new or additional responsibilities within their current employment, or (where unemployed) have gained new jobs. Simon Telfer, Chair of the LEP’s Employment and Skills Advisory Panel, said: “Thanks to our partnership with Lincolnshire County Council and funding from the Department of Education, we are able to offer a wide range of Skills Bootcamps that we hope will help to fill skills gaps in Greater Lincolnshire. “They will also help individuals upskill and take on more responsibility in their current role or gain the skills needed to fast track into a new role.” Most adults over the age of 19 who are living in England are eligible to take part in a Skills Bootcamp as long as they are prepared to take on a new job or new responsibilities.

Newark and Sherwood businesses invited to learn more about support to become environmentally sustainable

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Newark and Sherwood businesses invited to learn more about support to become environmentally sustainable
Businesses in Newark and Sherwood are invited to an online information event on 27 September 2023, 9.30am to 10.30am, to learn more about fully funded support to become more environmentally sustainable and to access specialist research and innovation advice and technologies through the new Accelerator Programme.
The Accelerator programme is led by East Midlands Chamber and funded through a proportion of the District Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) allocation. The programme will enable businesses in Newark and Sherwood to access two separate strands of support through both the ‘Net Zero Accelerator’ and the ‘Innovation Accelerator’. The Net Zero Accelerator will support businesses to reduce the cost of their energy bills and improve energy efficiencies through access to a variety of workshops, training courses and 1-2-1 bespoke consultancy opportunities to support businesses at any stage or level of their sustainability journey. Topics will include themes such as energy efficiency, waste management and Investors in the Environment. The programme will also support businesses to develop comprehensive energy audits and de-carbonisation plans. The Innovation Accelerator is targeted at new high-growth and scale-up businesses, providing advice and support from Innovation and Technology Specialists. Businesses will also have access to growth vouchers and advice on applying for and accessing potential capital grant funding. The online information event, taking place on 27 September, will provide further details of how businesses can benefit from the programme and provide an opportunity to ask questions relevant to their Net Zero or Innovation goals. Councillor Matthew Spoors, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “I am really excited that we are able to bring this Accelerator Programme to businesses across Newark and Sherwood in partnership with East Midlands Chamber. “Businesses acknowledge the need to move to a more sustainable way of working; however, knowing where to begin and what steps are needed can be challenging. Through the Net Zero strand of the Programme, businesses will be able to receive specialist support to help them progress to their Net Zero targets. “In addition, the Innovation Accelerator will provide an opportunity for those aspiring businesses in the district who could benefit from some support and advice from innovation specialists to take their businesses to the next level or to progress an exciting idea. “I encourage anyone who would like to hear more about the exciting opportunities available through the Accelerator Programme to join our online information event on Wednesday, 27 September.” Diane Beresford, Deputy Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber, added: “The Accelerator programme has been carefully designed to provide businesses across the district with the right support, at the right time. “At the heart of the project is a team of locally based Advisers and Specialists, employed by the Chamber, who will offer high-intensity support to businesses seeking to grow, create new jobs or exploit technology to improve performance. “Working with an adviser or specialist will be a key ingredient for businesses interested in taking advantage of Accelerator support and a diagnostics report will show them where best to point their energies.”

Grant Thornton UK LLP makes three senior appointments in restructuring and insolvency practice

Tess Egginton
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Grant Thornton UK LLP makes three senior appointments in restructuring and insolvency practice

Grant Thornton UK LLP has made three senior appointments in its restructuring and insolvency practice.

In the Central & Midlands region, Jon Roden is being promoted to partner. Jon is a licensed insolvency practitioner and has built a trusted reputation in the local market. He will also lead work nationally with the asset-based lending community.

Also based in the region, restructuring director Rob Parker will become the firm’s UK-wide restructuring lead for construction, where he has recently led work on NMCN plc, Roadbridge UK Ltd and Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd.

Meanwhile, Philip Stephenson is appointed as head of restructuring in the North West. With more than 25 years’ experience in restructuring and insolvency, Philip is currently a partner in the firm’s London restructuring team, but previously worked in Manchester and has strong contacts there and across Cheshire, Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, and Cumbria.

Helen Dale, head of restructuring for Central & Midlands, said: “The promotion of Jon to partner, and the appointment of Jon and Rob to national roles, reflects their respected presence in both local and national markets and I’m delighted to be working with them in their new roles.”

Phase one of Derby’s Becketwell regeneration scheme complete

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Phase one of Derby’s Becketwell regeneration scheme complete
Construction work is officially complete on phase one of Derby’s Becketwell regeneration scheme, with the eagerly anticipated opening of Springwell Square, the new public square for the city. Located adjacent to The Condor, Derby’s first Build to Rent (BTR) apartments on the site of the former Debenhams store on Victoria Street and close to the new £48.5m events and conference venue, the new public square is set to become the vibrant heart of the £200 million Becketwell scheme. Springwell Square will be a hub for culture, leisure, and social interaction and a place for residents to pause and relax and will integrate seamlessly into the urban landscape. It has been funded by Derby City Council, with funding from the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership. The Becketwell regeneration scheme is the most significant urban regeneration scheme in the city for more than three decades and will create a new quarter of residential, commercial leisure activity in the heart of Derby city centre. It is also hoped that the substantial levels of investment made at Becketwell will provide confidence for further new investment in surrounding areas of the city centre. The scheme is being developed by St James Securities, a privately-owned Leeds-based property developer, with a track record of delivering successful major regeneration schemes. With phase one now complete, construction work is now underway on phase two, a new 3,500-capacity events and conference venue, which will be operated by ASM Global, the venue management and services company, and producer of live experiences. Completion and handover to the operator is scheduled for early 2025. Commenting on the launch of Springwell Square, Paul Morris, director of developers St James Securities, said: “We are delighted to welcome representatives from our partners Derby City Council, D2N2 and other key stakeholders to Springwell Square to mark the completion of phase one of the Becketwell scheme, a landmark regeneration scheme for the City of Derby. “Over the past six years, we have been real trailblazers, prepared to take on a site that has been challenged for many years and creating a scheme which will revitalise and breathe new life into this area of the city. “Springwell Square will open up land to the south and bring it back into use. It will be a place where people can meet and relax in an informal space and will improve the vibrancy and attraction of the city centre.” Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism at Derby City Council added: “Becketwell is a key development for our city centre and the new public square is at its very heart. Our aspiration is to make Derby a vibrant place where people want to live, work, and visit and we are now seeing that aspiration become a reality. “We understand the importance of community spaces and Springwell Square will provide a great opportunity for residents to come together and enjoy the green, outdoor space that it provides.” Future planned phases of the scheme include the potential for a range of other complementary uses of the site including a hotel, further residential accommodation, and purpose-built student residential.

Burton clinic expands into new premises

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Burton clinic expands into new premises
Commercial property agent Rushton Hickman Ltd have helped an established Burton clinic move into new premises in a prominent location within Burton upon Trent. The premises comprise ground floor and upper floor accommodation in Horninglow Street. The property provides 1,573 sq ft of retail space on the prestigious mixed-use development of Anson Court. Alice & Co has a total of four treatment rooms, a studio space, two waiting rooms, retail area and a coffee lounge. Alice & Co founder, Alice Dring-Fern, said: “After working from home for four years, I knew I wanted premises to enable me to expand my business but also something to grow into. Everything about the building ticked all the boxes. The location, free car park, and beautiful Georgian features. “Everyone at Rushton Hickman have been so supportive and helpful throughout the entire process, from property viewings, buying the contents and every step in-between. It’s been really reassuring to know the team are there to help when I’ve needed it. We opened our clinic doors on 15th August, and have loved to see so many faces, both new and familiar.” Richard Fairey, director at Rushton Hickman, said: “We are pleased to have been able to help Alice secure her first premises and she has been a delight to deal with. “The location here at Anson Court should complement her use really well and we now only have one available retail unit left to rent on site, such is the popularity of the development.”

Further success at Sherwood Business Park

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Further success at Sherwood Business Park
Acting on behalf of long term investor clients, Tim Gilbertson of FHP has completed the letting of further warehouse/production space on Sherwood Business Park. Following on from the sale earlier this month of 60,000 sq ft of space on Sherwood Park at Junction 27, a further 10,000 sq ft has now been let on behalf of different long term clients to an unnamed PLC occupier who were represented by Sam Pearson of Gerald Eve in the transaction. Tim Gilbertson said: “The deal concluded was great for both parties, we have secured a Plc occupier who had been searching for some time for the ideal unit with craneage and their agent did a great job of agreeing terms on this deal. “Whilst for my client this was a perfect transaction as the former occupier of the building left one day before completion of the new lease and took a larger 15,000 sq ft unit adjoining. Therefore, we had no void period creating continued income for our clients. “This is the second deal on Sherwood Park that we have completed for this particular client this year and coupled with the sale I completed on Sherwood Park a few weeks ago, we have transacted in three deals just under 100,000 sq ft on this excellent location just off Junction 27 of the M1 motorway. “Despite the undeniably less than robust economic conditions the country faces as a whole, these deals show again the strength of some of our East Midlands locations and the very limited stock that is available. Hopefully more industrial and warehouse buildings will come to the market soon as stock is certainly required to meet demand. “Pleasingly, we should have another unit of circa 30,000 sq ft coming to the market on the estate in the next few months, one to be aware of for any occupiers seeking to take advantage of Sherwood Park and its proximity to Junction 27 of the M1 motorway.”
Sam Pearson of Gerald Eve said: “I am delighted to have secured this letting for my client, and believe the deal represents a fantastic agreement for all parties. Working alongside FHP, we were able to secure a tri-party agreement, effectively navigating challenges along the way to reach a successful completion.”
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