Invest in Nottingham encourages businesses to recognise their achievements by entering the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

Tess Egginton
-
0
Invest in Nottingham encourages businesses to recognise their achievements by entering the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Invest in Nottingham is encouraging businesses to submit themselves for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, to recognise achievements made over the last year. Lorraine Baggs, Head of Investment at Invest in Nottingham, said: “The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will celebrate the successes of our thriving property sector over the last year. There is no denying that we have certainly been experiencing a property boom over the last few years with countless cranes appearing across our skyline in Nottingham. “Major schemes across the city and county are progressing, including the UK’s largest city centre regeneration scheme, The Island Quarter, a 36-acre city within a city. “We have such a strong network of property and construction companies across Nottingham and I hope they will submit themselves for awards like this one, to recognise the achievements made over the last year.” The East Midlands Bricks Awards celebrates the region’s property and construction industry, its people, and exceptional developments, and provides the perfect occasion to shine a light on your team, reward their hard work, and boost morale. With nominations open until Thursday 31 August, now is the ideal time to enter your (or another) business/development for the awards. To do so – click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include: Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region. The event will also feature Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, as keynote speaker. Tickets can now be booked for the awards event, which runs from 4:30pm – 7:30pm – click here to secure yours. Network with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. Dress code is standard business attire.
  Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:

Students help local employers solve business challenges

Tess Egginton
-
0
Students help local employers solve business challenges

More than 90 students from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) have worked with a range of local employers to solve challenges facing their businesses.

Grads4Nottm – in its 9th year – is NTU’s annual initiative highlighting Nottingham as a graduate destination by showcasing the range of businesses and employment opportunities that exist in the city. The event also allows businesses to gain access to the talents and skills of students at NTU.

More than 35 local employers from various business sectors submitted challenges for NTU students to complete and present their ideas at a showcase event.

One of these challenges involved an independent business called The Split Screen Coffee Company, which was started in a mobile camper van in 2015 by Jennifer Walker.

The student team was tasked with helping Jen in Split Screen Coffee’s transition to its new café site at Parker’s Yard on the site of the Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington. The challenge involved redesigning the café seating area to increase capacity and generate a more welcoming space, while maintaining the museum’s heritage.

Kirsty Lemm, a Graphic Design student at Nottingham Trent University who worked on the project, said: “Grads4Nottm has been an amazing experience, Jen was so welcoming and it was great to learn more about her company but also the history of the venue that we worked with. It was also great to work with my student team-mate in the project who studied a totally different course and collaborate using our different skillsets.”

Jennifer Walker, founder of Split Screen Coffee Company, said: “As a small business owner, it’s so hard for me to find time for a project like this and to get some extra resource to give a fresh look at issues I was having with my business. I was able to access the students’ skills and creative ideas and saving me time and money. I’m looking forward to taking some of their concepts and ideas to the trustees of the museum to hopefully implement them in the near future.”

Another example was a challenge set by Nottingham City of Literature which seeks to ‘build a better future with words’.

The student team was tasked with creating content to promote a literature focused project aimed at young people aged 14-25 years old, encouraging them to engage with reading and writing for pleasure.

Lucy Linton, who studies Broadcast Journalism at NTU, said: “I love media, I love everything to do with reading and literature – so the project took lots of my passions and blended them together. It was fantastic being able to experiment with Adobe software tools and create some great content to promote the project on social media, on popular platforms like Tik Tok.”

Matt Turpin, Communications Coordinator at Nottingham City of Literature, said: “We’re veterans to the Grads4Nottm initiative and I always find it amazing that year on year it just gets better. The student team came on board, understood the task immediately, learned so much about Nottingham City of Literature and incorporated that into an amazing piece of work.

“The students’ use of Tik Tok and the engagement we received has now inspired our team to embrace a platform that previously we were not particularly knowledgeable or comfortable with. They have helped us better understand our younger audience and how we can communicate with them more effectively.”

The Grads4Nottm initiative concluded with each of the student teams presenting their ideas and work at a showcase event held in NTU’s Newton building. The teams were split up into groups and presented their work to several businesses including the business they completed a challenge for.

Valentina Corrao, Employer Engagement Officer at Nottingham Trent University, said: “I think this year’s Grads4Nottm event has been successful, we have received amazing feedback from both the employers and students. The initiative enabled students to gain hands-on experience in professional settings as they work with Nottinghamshire employers. “Previously some participants have ended up being offered full time employment with the employer they worked with in Grads4Nottm. This year at least one employer taking part has offered a placement to one of the students who worked on a project with them which supports our objective to encourage students to stay on in the local area after graduating.”

Warsop Health Hub construction works commence

Tess Egginton
-
0
Warsop Health Hub construction works commence

Construction has started on the new health hub at Carr Lane Park in Warsop that will significantly expand the parish’s leisure, wellbeing and community provisions.

Due to open in June 2024, the new hub will see the installation of a new 15 x 8-metre swimming pool, a splash play area, changing village, a gym, a multi-purpose hall, a café viewing and IT area and community space. A stone’s throw away from the main site will also see the creation of a new and improved multi-use games area due to open in early 2024. Planning permission for the hub was approved in March 2023, and representatives from Mansfield District Council, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Sport England, Serco/More Leisure and building contractors Pellikaan toured the construction site yesterday (29 June) as work got underway. The delivery of the council’s £9.2m hub was made possible thanks to key funding agreements secured by the authority from various partners and agencies, including a £1.8m capital grant from Sport England, a £3m allocation from the Government’s Towns Fund and £103,967 from the DLUHC to create a dedicated changing place within the building. The hub is just one of six projects funded from the £12.3m awarded to Mansfield District Council in 2021 from the Towns Fund allocation. The remaining funding is coming from the authority directly, with £1.5m from reserves and £3.5m from council borrowing. Councillor Andy Burgin, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Leisure, said seeing diggers on the site was exciting and overwhelming. “It has been a long time in the making, but I am elated to be here on site today and see for myself the works getting well underway to make way for the new community hub,” he said. “This project has been a partnership effort from the beginning, with stakeholders and funders and the Warsop community. They have been telling us what they wanted to see in the parish, and now we are delivering it here. The change and impact this will bring to the community will be long-lasting and revolutionary. “My thanks go out to everyone who has made this possible, and I look forward to seeing the project progress.” The Warsop Health Hub project aligns with the delivery of three of the council’s corporate priorities: wellbeing, aspiration and place. Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said: “I’m delighted that work has started on a major community hub in the heart of Warsop, which is one of six projects we’re supporting through our £12.3 million Town Deal for Mansfield. “The Warsop Health Hub will be a huge asset for the area, helping to boost people’s wellbeing with a new swimming pool and gym. It will also be furnished with fully accessible changing facilities, thanks to an additional £100,000 in government funding. “This exciting project will be enjoyed by the community for years to come and again demonstrates the real benefits levelling up can provide for local people.” In 2019, Sport England jointly funded the Living Well in Warsop study with the council, which reviewed the leisure and community provision in the parish. Residents, businesses and organisations were all asked for their views at consultation events and in a community-wide survey. The outcome was a list of suggestions and ideas that would lead to the right mix of activities, services and facilities to meet the community’s needs. Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director, Place at Sport England, said: “Sport England’s Uniting the Movement strategy aims to provide opportunities for all people to access sport and physical activity, regardless of their backgrounds, bank balance or postcodes and we know that having accessible and available facilities is essential in achieving this. “We are pleased to see work starting on the Warsop Health Hub, which is one of the first facilities to use our new Leisure Local concept. The opportunities to take part in sport and physical activity that will be made possible by this development are exciting to see and will benefit the local community for years to come, helping people lead healthy and happy lives.” In March, Mayor Andy Abrahams took an executive decision to confirm the total project costs, the council’s borrowing amount and to make Serco Leisure Ltd/More Leisure Community Trust the centre operator. Brian Taylor, Chair of More Leisure Community Trust, added: “We’re very proud to have been chosen as operators for this exciting new community-focused health hub, which looks certain to be warmly welcomed by local residents when it opens in June next year. We look forward to playing our part in improving the health and wellbeing of the people of this parish.”

Kings Mill Reservoir transformation begins

Tess Egginton
-
0
Kings Mill Reservoir transformation begins
Work on the Kings Mill Reservoir Towns Fund project has started. The first phase of building works will see the construction of an extended car park, increasing capacity for the new building and outdoor adventure facilities. An additional 136 parking spaces are set to be created bringing the total to 260 once complete. The overflow carpark will be closed from Monday 3 July for the duration of this phase of work. The project forms part of Ashfield District Council’s £62.6m Towns Fund programme. Construction of the new facility on the site of the old sailing club building, is due to start in a few months. The new building will provide modern, accessible changing facilities for water sports and a meeting/training room on the ground floor, with restaurant and function space on the first floor. The plans will support activities including sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and open water swimming at the reservoir. The new offering will allow more residents and visitors to Kings Mill Reservoir the opportunity to access water sports. Since submitting the initial planning application, the Council has been undertaking surveys and site investigations at the sailing club building, including bat surveys, to ensure wildlife is protected and habitats are enhanced by the new facility. The new building will feature new bat roosts. The new facilities are due to be completed during the summer of 2024. The new leisure facilities will complement the expansion of the Mill Adventure Base to include new outdoor activities. The plans for the well-loved reservoir are just one of the 16 projects being funded by the £62.6m Towns Fund. The Council was successful in securing the funding from the government in June 2021, and since then have been developing business cases, designs, and plans for the planned projects. Cllr Samantha Deakin, Executive Lead for Parks and Environmental Services, said: “The plans for Kings Mill Reservoir are extremely exciting. We can’t wait to be able to open up the offer of a variety of great new activities to visitors. “The location of the new restaurant offering will be a fantastic addition to the reservoir and will bring in even more visitors to Ashfield. I want to reassure residents that the demolition and construction phases of this project will be done sensitively to ensure none of the resident wildlife will be disturbed.” Cllr Matthew Relf, Executive Lead for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning, said: “This is another milestone for our plans to make Mill Waters one of the top tourist destinations in the East Midlands. We want to hear from clubs or individuals, who are keen to get involved in developing and running water sports activities at the reservoir. Please get in touch with the team if you are interested.” Lindum Construction Manager, Mark Robertson, said: “We are looking forward to getting started on this project, which will result in a superb leisure attraction for local people. The restaurant will be in a fantastic location with views of the water. We have a strong pipeline of local subcontractors who will be working on this scheme with us so the Council’s investment will continue to circulate within the economy. “It is good to be working with Ashfield District Council again. Lindum has delivered several housing schemes for the authority over the past three years and we’ve developed a strong relationship, based on openness, trust and successful delivery of projects.”

Growth Hub celebration event sets out post-ERDF business support plan

Tess Egginton
-
0
Growth Hub celebration event sets out post-ERDF business support plan

It was ‘business as usual’ as success stories were shared at the conclusion of a growth project that has supported 4,000 local firms.

The sold-out celebratory event in Leicester marked the end of a partnership project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Delivered through the Business Gateway Growth Hub – and run by Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Chamber, and the LLEP – it has seen almost £6m invested in programmes and grants to develop local SMEs since 2019.

Event attendees also learned how future support will be channelled through the Growth Hub as it continues to provide guidance and signposting to available resources.

Councillor Adam Clarke, Deputy City Mayor – Climate, Economy and Culture, said: “The entrepreneurial nature of our economy is one of, if not the, city and county’s biggest strengths.

“Our business community is resilient, adaptable, and creative, and the LLEP Business Gateway Growth Hub plays an important role in supporting that.”

More than 100 delegates were at the Holiday Inn event, which was hosted by Jim Willis, Managing Director of digital agency Bulb Studios.

Presentations detailed the impact of the ERDF partnership, setting out how 4,000 businesses accessed support over the last four years, with 212 jobs created, and more than £2m in grants secured for businesses. A further £3.6m in private sector funding was also secured. 

New LLEP CEO Phoebe Dawson said that provision would continue as the Growth Hub moves into a post-ERDF phase from the end of June.

“What you can expect from the Growth Hub remains the same,” she told delegates. “It’s business as usual.

“We want to work with you and your businesses in the future, providing support and guidance to help you grow.”

Barrie Walford, Economic and Regeneration Manager at North West Leicestershire District Council, described how plans to use UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) money in the county have been submitted and approved, with several district-based programmes already in the pipeline.

And Peter Chandler, Head of Economic Regeneration at Leicester City Council, explained how the authority will continue to prioritise business support and is investing more than £3m from UKSPF into support for local businesses.

The event also heard the story of Mohammed Essajee, owner of Interiors by Design, and Scott Burton, General Manager at TEK Seating.

Keynote speaker Tajinder Banwait described the journey of her fragrance brand, Urban Apothecary London, from a kitchen table in Leicester to 30 international markets.

Tajinder, honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise last year in recognition of excellence in international trade, also described her new brand, Palette London, before sharing growth tips with delegates.

Rising corporate profits fuels inflation crisis

Tess Egginton
-
0
Rising corporate profits fuels inflation crisis
Rising corporate profits have emerged as a key driver of Europe’s inflation crisis, surpassing the impact of the energy shock caused by the war in Ukraine, according to analysis conducted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The research conducted by IMF staff reveals that profit increases accounted for nearly half of the eurozone’s post-pandemic inflation rate increase, with companies raising prices more than the spiking costs of imported energy. This finding is likely to be seized upon by trade unions as evidence of “greedflation,” as they advocate for pay raises for their members. Gita Gopinath, the IMF’s deputy managing director, has called on companies to abandon efforts to protect their profit margins in the face of higher costs. She emphasized that for inflation to decrease rapidly, firms must allow their profit margins, which have risen significantly in the past two years, to decline and absorb some of the expected rise in labour costs. The analysis by the IMF comes in the wake of British companies reporting increased profits. Associated British Foods (ABF), the owner of Primark, raised its outlook for the year, citing that shoppers had absorbed price increases for food and clothing. Despite the volume of goods sold remaining relatively flat, the value of ABF’s sales increased by 16% in the quarter to May 27. Eoin Tonge, the finance director, stated that the company had sacrificed some profitability to stay true to their consumers by not raising prices in line with inflation. Inflation in the food sector has shown signs of easing, with supermarkets cutting the prices of household staples. Overall shop price inflation in the UK slowed to 8.4% in June from 9% in May, according to the British Retail Consortium. Food inflation also decreased to 14.6% in June from 15.4% in May, marking the second consecutive deceleration. These trends indicate that prices in shops may have reached their peak. The IMF’s Gopinath emphasized that historical trends indicate workers are likely to raise their salary expectations in order to protect their level standard of living. Workers should experience some wage catch-up as they attempt to make up ground lost due to the pandemic. IMF experts noted that a 5.5% pay increase would be required to bring real earnings back to their pre-pandemic levels by the end of the following year. For inflation to reach the target level, however, the profit share of businesses would need to fall to its lowest level since the middle of the 1990s. The impact of the inflation crisis extends beyond corporate profits and affects workers who are grappling with the rising costs of living. Many individuals find themselves digging into their savings to survive the economic pressures caused by inflation. As prices for essential goods and services increase, households face the challenge of stretching their budgets to cover daily expenses. The challenge is that businesses can find it difficult to accept earnings declines, especially if the economy is still resilient. Additionally, employees may demand compensation for their actual salary losses. Such dynamics could impede the decline in inflation and exacerbate cost pressures and resource depletion. Companies like Sainsbury’s have promised to lower the pricing of their own-brand products and match those of its competitors in an effort to address the issue. The government is also taking action. As the cost of living continues to climb, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has met with the regulators of the grocery stores, water, electricity, and telecoms sectors to make sure savings are passed on to customers. In conclusion, the inflation crisis in Europe has been mostly driven by increasing corporate profits, exceeding the effects of the energy shock brought on by the conflict in Ukraine. This analysis will probably be cited by trade unions as proof of “greedflation” and as justification for raising worker wages. The IMF urges businesses to accept declining profit margins in order to cover rising labor costs. For governments, corporations, and trade unions, striking a balance that addresses inflation concerns while preserving workers’ living standards and corporate profitability is still essential.

Light Science Technologies benefits from operational improvements as half year revenue grows

Tess Egginton
-
0
Light Science Technologies benefits from operational improvements as half year revenue grows

Light Science Technologies, the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and contract electronics manufacturing (CEM) group, is benefitting from operational improvements after a year ending with widening losses (loss before tax of £2.72m) despite rising revenue.

In a new update for the six months to 31 May 2023, the company has shown trading in line with expectations, with revenue for the period expected to be £4.4m, up approximately 22% from £3.6m in the same period of last year.

Light Science Technologies said: “The group’s performance reflected the benefits of operational improvements undertaken to improve gross margins, which grew to c.20.9%, compared to 17.7% in FY 2022. Improving market conditions and reduced supply chain constraints within the CEM division underpinned this increase while the group also successfully reduced overheads by approximately 20%, as part of the previously announced cost base realignment.”

The CEM division was the group’s predominant revenue generator, building on record sales achieved during the firm’s 2022 financial year.

Within the CEA division, meanwhile, the group continued to develop its portfolio and potential market reach. The business noted there is still material uncertainty over the level and timing of revenue in the CEA division.

With a view to building on opportunities within both divisions, management is evaluating acquisition opportunities that are cash flow generative.

Looking ahead, the company currently anticipates meeting full year expectations as it benefits from further cost savings during its second half, at the same time as continuing to develop and convert opportunities. Currently, Light Science Technologies’ sales pipeline of quoted work is over £45m, of which there are forward orders and contracts worth £18.8m.

Tungsten Properties agrees renewal of £50m revolving credit facility to fund pipeline of logistics opportunities

Tess Egginton
-
0
Tungsten Properties agrees renewal of £50m revolving credit facility to fund pipeline of logistics opportunities
Cain International, the privately held investment firm, has agreed the renewal of a £50 million revolving credit facility with Leicester-based Tungsten Properties for a further three years. The renewal follows the successful deployment of the initial facility in 2020 of £36 million. Cain’s partnership with Tungsten began in 2019, with the initial facility having financed four successful schemes with a GDV of approximately £61 million. Coupled with Tungsten’s balance sheet, the first facility supported the development schemes across the UK at Witham, Witney, Oakham and Lutterworth, which totalled more than 440,000 sq ft of industrial and distribution space. The new facility will fund a pipeline of logistics opportunities across the UK. The credit facility transaction has been agreed as part of Cain’s Fortwell strategy, borne out of Cain’s acquisition of Fortwell Capital in 2020, which extended Cain’s lending platform’s offering to development loans ranging between £10 million – £750 million. The strategy focuses on development loans of £10 – 50 million across residential, commercial, and alternative sectors in the UK. Nikos Yerolemou-Ennsgraber, director – real estate debt at Cain International, said: “This transaction presented an opportunity to expand our reach across a sector with fundamentals we believe in, while meeting the growing demand for high-quality logistics assets across the UK delivered by reputable developers. “At its heart, Cain is a partnerships business, and we are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Tungsten through this facility. “With Fortwell now fully integrated into Cain’s real estate debt business, we believe that our holistic service offering provides exciting opportunities for continued deployment of capital with existing clients and new ones, across the full range of loan sizes and financing structures.” Jeff Penman, Managing Director, Tungsten Properties, added: “In the last three years, there’s no doubt that our £50m Revolving Credit Facility with Cain has enabled us to be more agile and secure great quality development opportunities. Also, it has allowed our equity to be spread across a greater number of projects. “This RCF renewal for a further three years gives us greater firepower to respond to and consider opportunities as soon as they present themselves. We look forward to continuing this partnership with Cain and seeking out strategic opportunities to deliver much-needed industrial and distribution space.”

Simple customs declarations top trade priorities for Government as majority of small firms outsource paperwork to intermediaries

Tess Egginton
-
0
Simple customs declarations top trade priorities for Government as majority of small firms outsource paperwork to intermediaries
A majority of small international traders do not have the dedicated manpower required to handle complex customs paperwork and need to turn to high-cost intermediaries, according to new research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). FSB’s Customs Clearance report finds that the smaller the businesses, the less likely they are to have in-house resources for customs and trade – only 9% of small firms have a dedicated staff member or team. Of these firms, four in ten (38%) have more than 50 employees. Seven in ten (71%) small exporters and importers say they use an intermediary for at least some of the process of handling customs declarations, compared to just a quarter (24%) that handle the entire process in-house. Fast parcel operator (60%) is the most widely used type of intermediary by small international traders, followed by freight forwarder (50%) and customs agents/broker (26%). As businesses are adjusting to the new UK-EU trade relationship, small international traders say they have been asked to pay fees attributed to post-Brexit paperwork, but in many cases there is a lack of clarity from intermediaries on what exactly these extra costs are for. A third of respondents cite high intermediary fees as a challenge for overseas trade. Despite facing higher costs, many small businesses say they will continue to rely on intermediates to export and import. Four in ten (39%) explain this is because they do not have the expertise required to handle customs declarations, while over half (57%) say footing the extra bill would free up their time for other tasks. FSB sets out a list of recommendations to bring down the costs and barriers of international trade in the report, including:
  • Building a small business-friendly Single Trade Window, an online portal delivering a ‘once and done’ approach to Government data collection.
  • Targeting business support towards those with high export potential, and those in sectors that say they find a lack of guidance particularly difficult.
  • Monitor potential anti-competitive behaviour resulting from supply chain disruption via the Competition and Markets Authority Five Eyes working group.
  • Adopting a ‘think small first’ approach to customs policy development, including robust piloting and staggered implementation timelines. Government should also commit to raising the de minimis customs duty threshold to £1,000.
FSB Policy Chair Tina McKenzie said: “The fact that small firms say they will continue to use intermediaries to export and import despite increasing costs shows a strong zeal for international trade. “Unlike big corporates, most small firms don’t have the specialised resources needed to deal with complex customs procedures, so they’re dependent on intermediaries. Smaller businesses may also have to bear higher costs as they are unable to commit to large volume and less able to reach fixed price agreements or to negotiate with couriers. “A flourishing, competitive, and user-friendly intermediary market is vital to small firms. It’s therefore welcome to see the on-going government consultation on introducing voluntary standards for customs intermediaries to improve the quality of service provided. “There’s also a need for an effective and streamlined trade infrastructure with clear guidance to help reduce the costs of trade. This will unleash the export potential of small international traders as well as encouraging more businesses to sell overseas. “Small firms’ appetite to explore new markets and tackle trade barriers means there is reason to be optimistic about the future of SME international trade, and policymakers should make the most of this opportunity.”

Midland Lead up for national award

Tess Egginton
-
0
Midland Lead up for national award
Following significant investment in their people practices, Swadlincote-based manufacturer, Midland Lead, has been shortlisted for a national award for HR’s professional body, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. The lead manufacturer has been shortlisted for Best SME People Management Initiative for the way they engage and develop their people. Family-run company Midland Lead produces over 15,000 tonnes of lead annually for UK and overseas clients. It is a significant employer in the area, offering a variety of office and manufacturing jobs and apprenticeships. This year marks the company’s 40th anniversary. Since 2015 Midland Lead has worked with Loates HR to create a values-led culture, termed “Team Midland Lead” to build a happy, engaged, and healthy workforce. Manufacturing can be challenging to recruit and retain staff, so they set out to create a flexible, multi-skilled, committed, happy workforce that delivers exceptional customer results. The people-led initiative included the rollout of values, recruiting new starters based against these, developing a pay progression structure for operators and introducing a suite of benefits such as life insurance and enhanced holiday and sick pay. Coupled with significant investment in training opportunities, the introduction of one-to-ones and employee focus groups, Midland Lead is also a Real Living Wage employer. With a focus on wellbeing, staff can access GP appointments, a bike-to-work scheme, Costco membership and access to lunch and learn workshops on nutrition and adopting a healthy lifestyle. The investment in staff has reaped rewards. At the end of last year when faced with crippling energy costs, the company asked employees to design their shifts to help reduce energy bills but also improve operators’ work-life balance; the resulting changes have reduced the company’s energy consumption by 20% and means employees can now finish early on a Friday. HR manager Francoise Derksen said: “We are absolutely delighted with the news that we have been shortlisted for this prestigious CIPD award and truly value working together with our team and local businesses to make Midland Lead a great place to work and thrive. “It’s great to hear that the judges have recognised Midland Lead for our long-term approach to people development, establishing us as an employer of choice, an excellent manufacturer driven by a clear business need to recruit and retain the best to deliver the best for our customers.” Director Sarah Loates, from Derby-based Loates HR Consultancy, said: “We have worked closely with Midland Lead for seven years and have been immensely impressed with their unwavering commitment to make their workplace a better place for all. We are so proud that our professional body has recognised their dedication.” The CIPD award for Best SME People Management Initiative recognises businesses with fewer than 250 employees that have transformed how they manage and develop their people to support the workforce and broader business objectives. The judges specifically looked for evidence of the impact of Team Midland Lead’s approach on business success, including the benefits for employees, customers, suppliers and overall organisation performance.

Tesla named as one of the most popular EVs for salary sacrifice

Tess Egginton
-
0
Tesla named as one of the most popular EVs for salary sacrifice
Tesla is the car brand still dominating the UK market and there appears to be no imminent expectation of that changing, according to the ‘EV Statistics Dashboard’ created by Pink Salary Exchange. The US-based electric vehicle (EV) brand has taken over the EV market in recent years, and according to the monthly figures compiled by the salary sacrifice experts, that stranglehold isn’t showing any signs of being released. There was a time when the Nissan Leaf was the go-to EV for anyone thinking of making the switch to battery-powered and zero emission driving, but Tesla has completely swept the Japanese brand aside, particularly since the release of the Model 3 executive saloon car in 2017. And at the end of 2021 the UK was taking its first deliveries of the Tesla Model Y, a compact SUV, which has since upstaged the Model 3, and that can be seen in the handy stats dashboard updated each month and freely available on the Pink Salary Exchange website. The most search-for EVs The top five most searched-for brands on the Pink Salary Exchange platform has remained unchanged for the last two months. The top two places have been taken up by Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 respectively, while third place was the Polestar 2, fourth place was the Skoda Enyaq and fifth place was the Audi E-Tron. April and May saw these top five places remain the same, while in March the only change was the Porsche Taycan replacing the Skoda Enyaq. Indeed, the only other models to make the top five most searched for cars in 2023 have been the MG Motor MG4, the Kia Niro and the BMW I4. One million EV target in reach Tesla CEO Elon Musk vowed to concentrate on sales growth rather than profitability in 2023, and hence has made the Model Y and Model 3 much more affordable in the UK, which might explain their dominance in the figures. But the Pink Salary Exchange EV Statistics Dashboard does highlight the fact that virtually every major vehicle brand has an EV on the market now, and it also shows that the EV market is well on the way to hitting its one million sales target by 2024. In May 2023 there were 786,000 EVs on UK roads, but experts do think the cost of living crisis in 2023 may have put a temporary halt on EV sales. In May 2023 EV sales accounted for 17% of the overall UK vehicle market, while back in December 2022, the dashboard shows us that this was as high as 33%. Either way, the EV is an unstoppable force. Keep up to date with the latest EV statistics via the Pink Salary Exchange EV Statistics Dashboard.

OMEETO marks third anniversary with move to larger offices and first degree apprentice

Tess Egginton
-
0
OMEETO marks third anniversary with move to larger offices and first degree apprentice
Commercial property agency OMEETO has marked its third anniversary with the appointment of its first degree apprentice and the move to new larger offices. Director Chris Wright, who set up the company in 2020 with more than 23 years industry experience in senior roles and national and regional companies, has been joined by Ruby Scott Mullen. Ruby, a former pupil at Ecclesbourne School in Duffield, plans to study part time for a degree in chartered surveying with real estate at Nottingham Trent University alongside gaining practical work experience with OMEETO. The company has also moved into larger offices at The Quadrant in Beeston town centre – providing the growing team with easy access to its growing portfolio of commercial property across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Mr Wright explained: “We have grown steadily over the past three years and I am delighted to be in a position to invest in future professional talent by offering Ruby a degree apprenticeship with the company. “Our success so far has been rooted in our fresh approach to commercial property sales and lettings by utilising the latest digital marketing tools and the flexibility of offer for our clients. Ruby’s skills and enthusiasm are already contributing greatly to our services. “The move to The Quadrant also gives us the capacity to grow the team further as we move forward and gives us even easier access to the Nottingham and Derby areas where we are making our mark.” Ruby concluded: “Having researched the profession and undertaken internships at several regional firms, I am very grateful for this opportunity at OMEETO to essentially earn while I learn and gain my qualifications alongside working directly with clients and supporting all the back-office functions.”

Boots to shut 300 stores

Tess Egginton
-
0
Boots to shut 300 stores
Nottingham-headquartered Boots is planning to close 300 shops as it looks to evolve its store estate. Over the next year Boots will continue to consolidate a number of stores in close proximity to each other, saying this will allow the company “to concentrate its team members where they are needed and focus investment more acutely in individual stores with the ambition of consistently delivering an excellent and reliable service in a fresh and up to date environment.” No jobs are expected to be lost, with employees offered roles at nearby shops. The news comes as Boots announced its third quarter retail sales were up 13.4% year on year. More customers are shopping at Boots more often, with the number of transactions up both in store and online, with footfall growth ahead of the wider retail market. City centre flagship and travel stores saw the biggest increase, while digital sales also continued to grow, up 25.2% year on year. Seb James, Managing Director, Boots UK and ROI, said: “Our focus on offering our customers the best in healthcare and beauty, together with a continued commitment to great value, has been well received, and it is lovely to see more people choosing to shop with Boots. It is particularly pleasing to see our owned brands proving popular, including an exceptional No7 performance. I would like to thank all of our team members for their hard work in delivering these results.”

Serious concerns identified for Nottingham City Council’s financial activities

Tess Egginton
-
0
Serious concerns identified for Nottingham City Council’s financial activities
A new report has identified concerns “of a very serious nature” in how Nottingham City Council controls its finances. The report conducted by EY (Ernst & Young) comes after it was uncovered that the council had, over a number of years, breached the ring-fencing requirement for its Housing Revenue Account, which was unlawful. The wrongful spending of funds is estimated to cost up to £51m. As a consequence of the council’s failure to maintain this ring-fence, in 2022 the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources commissioned an external review due to continued concerns surrounding the council’s compliance with accounting controls around ring-fencing. EY were engaged to undertake this review, in respect of six ring-fenced areas, that would identify policies, procedures, financial records and data and carry out testing on a sample of historical transactions with a view to commenting on the operation of the controls in place and the overall control environment.
Whilst there is no suggestion of any fraudulent transactions, the EY report has now highlighted, for the period 2019 to 2022, a number of very serious concerns, with a weak control environment, ineffective systems, associated management information and a culture which is not focused upon compliance. Issues include an inability to find documents, no purchase order or goods received note – prior to invoice, document retention, eligibility for charging employees to ringfenced accounts, no evidence of approvals, approvers being able to authorise above their set limits, and a culture where policy adherence and knowledge is weak. A council audit committee document says: “As much as the findings quite rightly focus on the system and process failings, the cultural and organisational limitations should not be lost as it is a significant contributing factor in the matters raised. Rectification of the issues is much more than simply putting in new procedures.”
Conclusions drawn from the observations and output of the assessment include that the current state of controls in operation require urgent intervention to avoid the risk of inappropriate financial activity.
The document added: “Whilst urgent action is required to establish grip on NCC’s financial activities, it also needs to be recognised that the scale of change required to establish an effective control environment is a transformative process and will take a number of years to fully implement.”
The findings of the financial controls assessment underpin a conclusion that the council is operating with a considerably weakened control environment which is “not fit for purpose in allowing a Local Authority to enact effective financial stewardship.” In response to the seriousness of the findings, the control weaknesses have been mapped to the council’s existing finance improvement plan and an assessment of capacity to deliver at pace completed. A remediation project has been scoped and commissioned to deliver a 12-week focused controls remediation response. The council has not yet published the report in full, which comes as an Improvement and Assurance Board remains in place, monitoring improvements at the council.

Loughborough Building Society joins Legal and General

Stuart Pearcey
-
0
Loughborough Building Society joins Legal and General

Loughborough Building Society is to become part of the Legal and General Mortgage Club in a move designed to give advisers access to a wider range of specialist mortgage products, ultimately leading to help for a wider range of borrowers.

Loughborough Building Society offers buy-to-let products up to a maximum loan size of £500,000 and residential products up to a maximum of £750,000. Clare Beardmore, Director, Legal & General Mortgage Club said: “Giving advisers access to more product choice and more specialised solutions is absolutely essential to ensure borrowers get an outcome that is right for them. It’s also a vital component of the new Consumer Duty’s fair value requirements, which we know are an important priority for advisers.
“Offering Loughborough Building Society’s specialist residential and buy-to-let products to the broker network at Legal & General Mortgage Club will support more borrowers, and also the advisers who serve them.” Ashley Pearson, National Business Development Manager at Loughborough Building Society, added: “Working with Legal & General’s team and joining the Mortgage Club panel is a welcome opportunity for us to address specialist requirements in the residential and buy-to-let sectors. This collaboration will allow us to help more borrowers who otherwise might have been overlooked.”

Derbyshire social project helping people after homelessness officially blooming after eight tonne topsoil donation

Tess Egginton
-
0
Derbyshire social project helping people after homelessness officially blooming after eight tonne topsoil donation

A Derbyshire social project which helps people who have been through homelessness is blooming with the help of a whopping eight-tonne topsoil donation so they can grow their own veg.

The donation to Derventio Housing Trust’s Growing Lives project in Ilkeston has been made by Alfreton-based Leedale Ltd, which provides a range of services to the construction industry, such as waste management. The topsoil was sourced from local construction projects, and was screened and tested at Leedale Ltd’s recycling yard in Alfreton.

Growing Lives is an activities project run by the housing trust which provides people in its properties, and referred there via other services, with communal activities such as woodworking, craft, walks and gardening, with the aim of creating a supportive, caring environment and helping them get back on their feet again.

People are helped by Derventio Housing Trust which provides them with accommodation if they have recently been homeless.

Leedale Ltd dropped off eight tonnes of topsoil which was transported to the garden by Derventio Housing Trust staff and residents using wheelbarrows.

Penny Wiltshire, funding and development manager at Derventio Housing Trust, who was introduced to Leedale through their work with Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust, said: “It just goes to show that through creating valuable networks we can work together to provide projects like Growing Lives with resources that they really need. There is so much goodwill in the world, not to mention resourcefulness, which is how this topsoil donation has come about!

“I’d like to thank Oliver Walkup from Leedale along with all the organisations who helped make this happen including Long Eaton Rotary, Erewash Borough Council and Marketing Derby.”

Wayne Rodgers, who has been helped by Derventio Housing Trust and is a regular at Growing Lives – which provided him with his first ever holiday in 2022 when he was 54 – said: “Growing Lives is a place where you can relax and forget about your problems. You’re kept so busy here you haven’t got time to think about what’s going on in your life. This place is in my blood, I feel part of the furniture!”

Rachael Tomlin, a tutor at Growing Lives, said: “The garden soil is mainly sub soil and we have been working very hard to grow a lot of things here. We have struggled and it was mentioned that we could really do with some topsoil.

“Thanks to this donation we can now grow all the lovely produce that we have planned for this site! We’re hoping to grow courgettes, carrots, we have got lettuces, radishes, tomatoes, potatoes and beans. Everything we grow, we’ll be putting in meals we’re cooking.”

Another Derventio Housing Trust resident, Garry Welsh, said he enjoyed being in the garden having spent time outdoors with his family at a younger age.

He said: “Coming to Growing Lives gives me something to wake up in the morning for. I’ve not really grown anything since I was younger. It makes me feel brilliant here.”

The team at Leedale Ltd removes construction and demolition waste from building sites to bring back to its recycling yard where it is then filtered, treated and screened to create quality aggregates, including topsoil, which can then be used again.

Ben Hammond, head of business development at Leedale Ltd, said: “At Leedale we are proud to support charities and organisations as and where we can and when Derventio explained this cause to us, it was the least we could do.

“Hearing the story behind what the donation was going to support, it was a no brainer for us to get involved in such a great cause. The whole team at Derventio is great to deal with and it’s a pleasure to be able to support them.”

Multi-million-pound aerospace programme helps hundreds of SMEs take off

Tess Egginton
-
0
Multi-million-pound aerospace programme helps hundreds of SMEs take off
The University of Nottingham’s Aerospace Unlocking Potential (UP) programme has come to an end, after supporting more than 270 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Midlands over the past three years. Designed to help smaller companies develop new technologies and solutions to make aviation greener, the £20 million programme was delivered by the University of Nottingham’s Institute for Aerospace Technology (IAT) and the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA) between 2020 and 2023, supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Midlands Engine. The programme not only provided funding for projects but also offered companies unique access to industry experts, academic support, and university facilities that might otherwise have been unattainable. Professor Pat Wheeler, Global Director of the University of Nottingham’s IAT and Head of Power Electronics in the Faculty of Engineering, said: “The past three years have seen us support more than 270 SMEs across the Midlands, with more than £11 million of private and public investment combined supplied to a plethora of projects. But this programme goes further than facts and figures, it’s afforded businesses the opportunity to create and improve a wide variety of new technologies that will take the aerospace industry to new heights.” Among the companies that have benefited from Aerospace UP is Skyfarer Ltd, which used its funding to develop a prototype system for drone operations that has created the capability to deliver medical supplies to a radius that extends 40km beyond the pilot’s line of sight. The system is linked to an app that allows the customer to see everything about their deliveries, including position, temperature, and any shocks the payload has experienced. As part of the project, drones were successfully flown beyond the line of sight in remote areas of Wales, marking a UK first for drone operations over land. Georgia Hanrahan, Chief Operating Officer at Skyfarer Ltd., said: “Being supported by Aerospace UP has allowed us to turn our vision into a reality and create some milestone achievements in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) regulations in the UK. A big thank you must go to the team for believing in us from the start and putting air under our wings, quite literally, so that we can start benefiting the healthcare industry with this technology.” The programme’s successes have been celebrated this month, first at a showcase event hosted at the university’s Jubilee Campus, where SMEs that Aerospace UP has supported presented more than 50 new technologies to the 150 people in attendance. Followed by the Paris Airshow, where a wall display next to the University of Nottingham’s stand with the MAA promoted projects and technologies developed by companies made possible through Aerospace UP. The University of Nottingham’s IAT team also discussed ongoing opportunities available for companies and supported the MAA Paris Airshow networking reception, which promoted and celebrated the strength and depth of the aerospace supply chain in the Midlands. Dr Andrew Mair, Chief Executive of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, said: “Aerospace UP has been a flagship programme that is showing the global aerospace industry just how innovative our small companies can be. It’s brilliant that we have been able to work alongside the University of Nottingham to support these companies to develop the new technologies the aviation sector needs for the future.” Although the programme has come to an end, the IAT plans to continue to strengthen the links it has created with companies across the region and the MAA to create new opportunities for collaboration in the future. Professor Wheeler added: “What we’ve been able to do with Aerospace UP is establish a flourishing innovation ecosystem that brings together industry, the university, and the MAA and, moving forwards, we can use this as a launchpad for further work in the future. For example, we’re using this as a template for the work we’re doing with the University of Nottingham Italy by collaborating with the aerospace cluster in the Campania region. “Closer to home, we’re continuing to provide technical services for the Midlands community, as well as access to our world-leading facilities. So, while Aerospace UP may have finished, the relationships and collaborations we’ve forged are continuing to flourish, and this is something I hope will continue in the years to come.”

Nomination categories in detail: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

Tess Egginton
-
0
Nomination categories in detail: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
If you are yet to make your entries for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, now is the perfect time to do so! Here we go through each category’s criteria – which can also be found with nomination forms here. Winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony and networking event on Thursday 28 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, in the Derek Randall Suite. The evening, which will run from 4:30pm – 7:30pm, will also feature Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, as keynote speaker. Tickets can be booked here – secure your place now to avoid disappointment.   Most active estate agents of the year Sponsored by: OMS The winner of this category will be the Estate Agents who has had the biggest impact on the commercial property sector over the last 12 months, whether that be in deals done, quality of any given deal, or excellent customer service.

Developer of the year

Sponsored by: Ward The winner of this category will be the developer that has truly pushed the limit over the last 12 months. Their scheme(s) will have shown to not only be a success, but that there was true demand for them. The winning developer will have displayed courage in a tough market to deliver award winning results. There is no size limit, but schemes must have been completed over the last 12 months.

Architects of the year

Sponsored by: Blueprint Interiors The winner of this award will be the architects who have had the greatest impact on the region, be it in a single development or a series of them. Originality, the ability to rise to a challenge or initiative shown in accomplishing a difficult brief, this award celebrates our architects. Schemes must have been completed over the last 12 months.

Contractor of the year

Sponsored by: RammSanderson Celebrating the contractors who work on the project, this award celebrates builders, construction companies and the contractors themselves, and nominees should be those who have gone above and beyond the word of the contract to deliver a truly exceptional service. Contracts must have been within the last 12 months.

Deal of the year

Sponsored by: Mather Jamie The winner of this category will be the deal that has truly pushed the boundaries over the last 12 months – from jobs created to complexity, size and scale. However, that’s not to say the biggest deal will automatically win; the deal which has had most impact in the East Midlands is what we’re looking for. The winning deal will have displayed courage in a tough market to deliver a great outcome for all concerned. Deal must have been completed over the last 12 months.

Commercial development of the year

Sponsored by: MKM The winner of this category will be the commercial development that has gone above and beyond in fulfilling the criteria of the build, in terms of design and construction. This can include special requirements, features or elements that make the commercial development stand out from the crowd.

Residential development of the year

Sponsored by: Sterling Commercial Finance The winner of this category will be the scheme that has displayed a true commitment to providing much-needed housing in the East Midlands. There is no size limit, but schemes must have been completed over the last 12 months.

Sustainable development of the year

Sponsored by: Viridis Building Services The winner of this category will be the scheme that has displayed a true commitment to sustainable development in the East Midlands, whether this be in an environmental development, social enterprise or a scheme which will benefit the region in other ways, so long as it benefits the future generation. Schemes must have been completed over the last 12 months.

Excellence in design

Sponsored by: Cawarden The winner of this category will be the developer who has shown true originality in design excellence across a scheme or schemes over the last 12 months, whether this be aesthetically, functionally or in any other manner.

Responsible business of the year

Sponsored by: Press for Attention PR The winner of this award will have demonstrated corporate responsibility in their field, working in harmony and for the betterment of the local community in which it operates and setting a shining example for the rest of the supply chain. Overall winner Sponsored by: Streets Chartered Accountants This award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.   Submitting a nomination couldn’t be easier – simply click here and click on a category’s heading to access its form. Nominations end Thursday 31 August.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks sponsored by Nicholas Associates while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:

Urban living in Grimsby Town Centre takes step forward

Tess Egginton
-
0
Urban living in Grimsby Town Centre takes step forward
A vision to create modern, smart homes on a riverside setting in Grimsby’s town centre are taking a step forward. Following discussions between North East Lincolnshire Council and Homes England, central Government funding has been agreed to allow investigative work to take place at Alexandra Dock. This will centre on six-acres of council-owned land behind the new Horizon OnSide Youth Zone and next to the remodelled Garth Lane bridge and walkway alongside the water. Around two weeks of specialist contract work, which starts on Monday 3 July, will determine the land type and what is beneath the surface – essential investigations ahead of preparing the site further. This area was earmarked for homes in Grimsby’s Town Centre Masterplan – cited as an ideal location given the water nearby and the improvements that have already taken place. Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the council with responsibilities for the economy, net zero, skills and housing, said: “The main objective of this work is to create a place that connects the town and its community with its waterside, creating a fantastic urban living environment that’s kind to the planet. “There’s a long way to go yet, and developments of this scale don’t happen overnight. But we are working to improve the town centre as a whole and this is part of that vision. Step-by-step we want to change how our centre is used and enjoyed as a whole.”

Silverstone Park-based business wins £170k government funding

Tess Egginton
-
0
Silverstone Park-based business wins £170k government funding
Silverstone Park-based Performance Projects has won a share of over £2.5 million in government grant funding to help further develop its OxDrive electric drive hub technology. The business is one of just 14 SMEs selected to each receive £170,000 of funding via the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Technology Developer Accelerator Programme (TDAP) which helps cutting-edge technology developers bring their innovations to life. APC’s Head of Programmes Josh Denne, confirmed that the that funding had only been allocated following “a highly competitive round of applications.” “We are incredibly proud, and honoured, to have been selected,” enthused Chris Horton, MD of OxDrive Ltd which is a subsidiary of Performance Projects. “We look forward to working with the Advanced Propulsion Centre and its partners, developing and commercialising our exciting new e-hub technology. OxDrive drivelines are critical for the agritech and construction sectors’ road to net-zero.” The OxDrive electric drive hubs (e-hubs) are a range of high torque, fully integrated electric hub drivelines specifically for the rigours of agritech, construction and other off-highway applications. They are designed to provide reliable drives which speed up vehicle development, reduce time to market and enable viable progress to net-zero robot and vehicle solutions. The technology has already been integrated into Performance Projects’ ‘GoFar’ rover which uses AI navigation developed by the University of Lincoln. The GoFar has attracted interest from the agritech sector and is currently undergoing trials with Berry Gardens Growers, a major name in the fruit-picking sector. Josh Denne said: “This latest cohort of our accelerator programme is once again a celebration of UK start-up and SME-led innovation and demonstrates how the drive within our ecosystem to develop new net-zero technology businesses is not slowing.” He added: “We have attracted a fascinating range of tech businesses to this round of TDAP. Alongside some fantastic hardware-based concepts, we are seeing a growth in software-based innovation that can drive carbon and cost out of vehicle development and manufacturing. “As our ecosystem shifts its focus towards net zero, we are seeing new process technologies which could help drive emissions out of the supply chain for clean mobility technologies. “The team at the APC are excited to work with these 14 companies over the coming months to enable them to forge their routes ahead and accelerate their progress.”
1...332333334...582Page 333 of 582