Nottingham lawyer makes partner in Shoosmiths’ latest promotions round
Law firm Shoosmiths has announced eight new partners in its May promotions round.
In the firm’s Nottingham office, Matthew Kemp has been appointed as partner. Kemp advises funds, landlords and corporates, with a particular focus on investment.
The other new Shoosmiths partners are: Jill Briggs, Kate Garcia, Holly Hirst, Liz McKillop Paley, Chris Moakes, Lisa Sigalet and Brian West.
Shoosmiths has also promoted 12 to legal director and 24 to principal associate.
Shoosmiths chairperson, Peter Duff, said: “We would like to thank all this year’s promotees for their contribution to Shoosmiths. The dedication they have shown to clients and their commitment to Shoosmiths’ values has been exceptional.
“At Shoosmiths, we are committed to developing and nurturing our people to create the best lawyers of tomorrow – getting this right is integral to Shoosmiths’ strategic expansion across our chosen markets in the years to come.”
Administrators secure future of Nottingham manufacturer
After being appointed joint administrators to Nova Group Products Limited on 2 May 2023, Tim Bateson and Howard Smith from Interpath Advisory have secured the business’s future.
Based in Nottingham and previously known as Fabriweld, the company is a manufacturer and processor of aluminium and steel products, primarily focussed on home speaker accessories and casings for commercial electric vehicle charge points.
The business had faced a significant drop in revenue over the last two years due to lower demand for consumer-led products. With pressure on cashflow building, the directors explored a number of funding options but, with no solvent solution to be found, took the decision to seek the appointment of the joint administrators.
Immediately following their appointment, the joint administrators concluded sales of the business and assets to Innovation Lifts Limited and Innovation Group Products Limited, two companies affiliated to Nottingham-based Innovation Laser Limited.
As part of the transactions, all of the company’s 25 employees will transfer to the purchasers.
Tim Bateson, director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “From its home in Nottingham, Nova Group has been producing quality products for over 40 years, so we’re pleased to have been able to conclude these transactions which will enable production to continue and jobs to be preserved. We wish the purchasers and the company’s skilled employees all the very best for the future.”
Leicestershire-based baker to the Royals rises to challenge of a greener future ahead of King’s Coronation
A Leicestershire-based cake making business, that has provided cakes for The Royal Family, is reducing its emissions and energy usage with the installation of 4,500 sq ft of solar panels, supported by funding from Lloyds Bank.
Fiona Cairns is a luxury bakery brand that designs and makes cakes for all occasions. A favourite of The Royal Family’s, the team made the Royal wedding cake for their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales. They supply cakes and biscuits to high-end retailers including Waitrose, Harrods, Fortnum and Mason, and Selfridges. The company also exports on a weekly basis to Dunnes Stores in the Republic of Ireland.
The family business was founded almost 40 years ago by Fiona Cairns, a former pastry chef who honed her skills in Michelin starred Hambleton Hall, Rutland, and her husband in 1986. Now, the company has more than 120 staff and is a second-generation family business.
The company is now focussing on introducing sustainable initiatives that will help the firm remain resilient, become more cost effective, all while having a minimal impact on the planet.
To support the firm to meet its green ambitions, it approached Lloyds Bank, securing funding via the Clean Growth Financing Initiative, which provides customers with access to discounted lending for green purposes. With this support, solar panels have been fitted to one of the business’s three production units, covering 4,500 sq ft.
The panels will supply almost a third of the building’s energy, equating to around 10% of the business’s total energy usage, and reduce CO2 emissions by 15 tonnes per year. The business is also looking at opportunities to increase this figure by using the electricity generated during the factory’s non-operational weekend hours to charge its fleet of three electric forklift trucks.
The business recently became RSPO certified for demonstrating that its palm oil comes from sustainable sources. Its food waste is used to help generate electricity, and as of April 2023, the cakemaker will aim to send zero waste to landfill. Most of the firm’s packaging is currently produced locally by Leicestershire suppliers, and the company is looking at strategies to reduce the quantity used, including shrinking the size of the plastic windows in its cake boxes.
Further plans are also in the pipeline to install solar panels across all three production units on site, with the hope that renewable energy will be the dominant energy source in the future.
Tara Patel, director at Fiona Cairns, said: “Sustainability is something I’ve been passionate about for a long time, and as the next generation of leadership, it’s important to look at all areas of the business to see where we can reduce our impact on the environment. The installation of our solar panels forms just one part of our sustainability journey, and when combined, these changes are helping us to bring down the emissions of our business.
“Retailers are increasingly scrutinising the emissions of their suppliers. As a partner to some of the UK’s most prominent retailers, it’s our responsibility to ensure we’re operating as sustainably as possible, helping them to achieve their net zero ambitions, as well as our own.”
Noshad Khowaja, relationship director, SME banking at Lloyds Bank, said: “Fiona Cairns is a fantastic brand which has built an excellent reputation with its customers. From royalty to the supermarket shelf, it’s great to see a local firm like this not only succeed in the world of business but also realise the benefits and opportunities that come with sustainable changes.
“The food and drink sector accounts for over a quarter of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. At Lloyds Bank we’re committed to helping businesses such as Fiona Cairns to reduce their environmental impact and supporting sectors to work towards a low carbon economy.”
Support for disabled passengers earns award for East Midlands Airport
East Midlands Airport has won a prestigious Business Disability Forum ‘Disability Smart Inclusive Customer Service’ award in the category of inclusive customer service.
Disability Smart Awards recognise the work of teams and individuals who have gone above and beyond to improve the experiences of disabled people, and ten were presented at an event in London.
Chris Drury, Head of Customer Services at EMA, said: “This award shows our recent investment is being recognised and, more importantly, passengers who rely on the support of our assisted travel team can easily access travel for which there should be no barriers.”
East Midlands Airport was congratulated for its innovative and inclusive approach to customer service. The airport has invested heavily in new specialist equipment for disabled passengers. It has introduced easier ways for customers to communicate with the Assisted Travel team wherever they are in the airport.
Key to the success of the airport’s inclusive approach to customer service is the relationship with its independent Accessibility Advisory Group. Christiane Link, who chairs the forum, said: “This award truly reflects EMA’s passion for creating an inclusive environment for all customers. It is a significant accomplishment and testament to the work and commitment of the airport’s Assisted Travel team.
“East Midlands Airport understands that the lived experience of disability is vital to improving the customer experience. The airport is in constant conversation with me and the advisory group, and it is a pleasure to advise them and see passengers benefit from our collaboration.”
Phenna Group makes fifth acquisition of 2023
Nottingham-headquartered Phenna Group has made its fifth acquisition of 2023 with Cansford Laboratories, cementing a strong start to the year whilst augmenting its rapidly developing Health Sciences platform and adding complementary services to existing offerings.
Phenna aims to invest in and partner with selected niche, independent Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) companies that serve a variety of sectors, ensuring customers’ peace of mind by delivering first class assurance & consultancy services.
Formed in 2010 and accredited to ISO 17025:2017, Cansford Laboratories has established its position as a fast, reliable, and innovative leader in high quality drug, alcohol, and steroid testing. Its founders pioneered hair testing more than 30 years ago, dedicating their careers since to improving and expanding the possibilities of drug and alcohol testing. Today, its methods are used by laboratories across the globe.
From a base in Cardiff, it offers a UK-wide testing service for individuals and organisations in family law, social care, criminal law, education, and the workplace. Cansford’s team of experts offer hair, oral fluid, nail, and dry blood spot testing with related services including collection and expert witness support.
John Wicks, CEO of Cansford Laboratories, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Phenna Group. Having been through acquisition processes in the past, I fully appreciate how challenging they can be. Since first meeting Paul and his team, they acted very professionally, ensuring a smooth and commercially focused process.
“Our interactions have been very straight forward, and I’m convinced that Phenna will provide exactly the support we need to help us deliver our exciting future growth plans. Cansford Laboratory have a great team culture and securing a partner that valued that was paramount in our decision making. I look forward to working with the Phenna Group team into the future.”
Paul Barry, Group CEO of Phenna Group, said: “Cansford Laboratories is a business that we’ve admired for a while, and I’m absolutely delighted that John and Lolita have decided to partner with us. From our early engagements, it was very obvious our values and cultures aligned and that together, we could continue to build on their already impressive track record.
“This deal augments our developing health sciences division and I look forward to welcoming their talented team into our Group and to working with them all, to deliver continued success for the business.”
Phenna Group were advised by RSM and Avonhurst. Cansford Laboratories were advised by Lexington Corporate Finance and Berry Smith LLP.
Thomas Edwards, a director at Lexington Corporate Finance, said: “It came as no surprise to us that there was significant interest in Cansford from both trade and private equity buyers, considering the organisation’s impressive reputation as a leader in high quality drug, alcohol, and steroid testing.
“The business has scaled up considerably since its formation in 2010, thanks to the leadership of John Wicks and Lolita Tsanaclis, so it needed a buyer that matched this ambition. From working with Cansford it became clear that Phenna was the ideal fit.
“This transaction builds on Lexington’s strong credentials in the healthcare and TICC sectors, increasing the total value of deals Lexington has advised on in 2023 to almost £150 million.”
Linkline secures £12.5m to accelerate growth
Linkline Transport Limited, a family led warehousing and logistics business based in Wellingborough who boast clients such as Primark and GXO, has been provided with a facility worth £12.5 million from Shawbrook to fund their ongoing growth.
Founded in 1993, Linkline offers logistics, haulage, warehousing, and pallet network services across the UK. The business has grown exponentially in recent years under the leadership of Managing Director, James Bowes who assumed the position in 2021. Under James’ leadership the company expanded into the warehousing sector and is now looking to accelerate its growth and move into further sites.
Shawbrook’s hybrid funding package worth a total of £12.5 million, includes a £5 million Confidential Invoicing Finance loan to support working capital requirements. In addition, a structured cash flow facility to support expansion plans is included within the deal. The funding allows Linkline to enhance their current services as well as providing them the headroom needed to explore expansion into additional sites in the near future.
Dave Hilton, partner at Mazars conducted the Debt Advisory process on the deal. Matt Ingram at Squire Patton Boggs acted for Shawbrook and Dave Easdown of Knights Legal acted for Linkline. The Financial Due Diligence was completed by Knights Transaction Services.
James Bowes, Managing Director of Linkline Transport, said: “Linkline at its heart is a family-owned enterprise and having grown up with the company it is exciting to see the growth we have experienced. Shawbrook has been a fantastic partner throughout the process and ultimately offered us a package that could not be matched in its scope and flexibility.
“I greatly look forward to continuing to drive the business forward, with a particular focus on our high-quality warehousing facilities and am pleased to be able to do so with the support of Shawbrook.”
Dave Hilton, partner at Mazars, said: “I have had a great relationship with both Shawbrook and Linkline for some time and it was a real pleasure to bring these parties together to facilitate this deal.
“Linkline is a promising enterprise that has seen an exceptional level of success in recent years. With the leadership of James being coupled with the funding from a proven lender like Shawbrook, I have no doubt the business will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Daniel Martin, senior director at Shawbrook, said: “Linkline are a strong family led enterprise who have been growing at a phenomenal rate in the last few years and we believe this additional funding will help them build on the fantastic platform they already have.
“James has been a driving force behind the incredible growth they have experienced. His leadership has taken the business from strength to strength, and we look forward to supporting him as the business continues to expand.”
East Midlands firms need UK and EU to get along better, says Chamber Chief Exec
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles says it’s vital for businesses in the East Midlands that the UK has a better relationship with the EU.
In the wake of a House of Lords European Affairs Committee’s report, he said: “As a Centre of Trading Excellence that is a powerhouse for manufacturing innovative goods distributed across the world, the East Midlands economy heavily relies on having positive trading relationships with our international partners – no more so than with the EU, our nearest export market.
“Therefore, it’s promising to see the publication of a landmark report that acknowledges how UK-EU relations and trading have been far from ideal in the past few years – reflecting what our members keep telling us – and delivers a series of recommendations to reset the approach in how we work together.
“In particular, we welcome clear and well-evidenced proposals for reform of access to the labour market for our employers, which have been battling acute skills shortages for a long time now.
“Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey, which formed part of the British Chambers of Commerce’s research that was submitted to the committee, shows that six in 10 East Midlands businesses attempted to recruit in the first three months of this year and, of those, 73% faced problems in filling roles.
“Industries like manufacturing, construction, logistics, hospitality and care continue to face huge capacity constraints caused by one of the tightest labour pools we’ve ever witnessed.
“We need a fast, efficient and affordable system to access skills from outside the UK when we can’t recruit and train locally.
“As we have set out in our Business Manifesto for Growth, the Shortage Occupations List is a key tool to do this but it must be expanded to reflect the reality on the ground.
“UK firms are also hampered when it comes to travelling to Europe due to the lack of flexibility in some of the business travel and mobility rules in the Brexit deal, especially in relation to financial, professional and business services.
“We urge the UK Government to respond decisively to these findings, so that firms can have the confidence in access to the skilled workers they need to grow their businesses and get economic growth moving.”
North Kesteven’s rural firms encouraged to explore growth grant potential
Expressions of interest are open for a capital grant scheme which will help rural businesses in North Kesteven invest in sustainable growth.
The Rural Business Grant is specifically aimed at supporting new and existing rural businesses to develop products, services and facilities of wider benefit to the local economy.
Possible examples include farm businesses looking to diversify income streams, growth in the visitor economy including visitor accommodation, and investments in power or energy efficiency which will make a positive contribution to the District reaching net zero.
The grant is being delivered by North Kesteven District Council for DEFRA, under the Rural England Prosperity Fund. The first window for Expressions of Interest is open from now until Thursday 1 June.
Digital Expression of Interest forms can be found online at www.businessnk.co.uk
There’ll then be a first call for full applications, and this will take place when the Expressions of Interest window has closed.
North Kesteven District Council Economic Development Manager Alan Gray said: “We’re inviting rural businesses in North Kesteven to register their interest now in the Rural Business Grant, if they have a project they think may be eligible.
“These early indications will allow our grants team to make initial assessments of eligibility and provide help where needed from the start, including ensuring applicants are given the time and support necessary to refine and develop investments in line with the objectives of the Rural England Prosperity Fund and meet the various requirements for evidence.
“It will also help ensure that proper consideration is given to projects that may require planning permission, or any additional funding or legal matters which need to be concluded within the time frame set out for the delivery of projects.”
The minimum grant available through the Rural Business Grant is £5,000, and depending on the project and investment needed applicants may be required to provide match funding.
The Rural Business Grant will run until all funds have been awarded, and all projects must be deliverable before 31 March 2025. Full details on eligibility criteria are available with the Expressions of Interest form online.
North Kesteven’s Rural England Prosperity Fund allocation is an addendum to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to help support rural areas in England and the two Levelling Up Fund missions of improving living standards and growing pride of place. The Rural Business Grant has received £450,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
New CFO for Watches of Switzerland
Leicester-based Watches of Switzerland Group is set to appoint a new chief financial officer as Bill Floydd stands down from his role from 12 May.
Bill will be succeeded by Anders Romberg, who previously served as the group’s CFO for seven years from 2014 to 2021.
Brian Duffy, CEO, said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Bill for his valuable contribution to the group and we wish him well for the future.
“I am delighted that Anders is re-joining the business. He has a strong track record of financial leadership and thorough knowledge of our group, as well as the specialist luxury watch and jewellery categories, and I look forward to working with him again.”
Bill Floydd, outgoing CFO, said: “I have enjoyed my time at Watches of Switzerland and would like to extend my thanks to Brian and the wider team for their support. The company has a bright future and I look forward to seeing its continued success.”
Anders Romberg, incoming CFO, said: “I am very pleased to be returning to the Watches of Switzerland Group and to once again be working alongside Brian and the team to deliver our long-term strategy and to capitalise on the wealth of growth opportunities available to us.”
Administrators appointed to Alliance Transport Technologies
Chris Pole and Ryan Grant from Interpath Advisory have been appointed joint administrators of Alliance Transport Technologies Limited.
Operating from two sites in Clowne (Derbyshire) and Featherstone (West Yorkshire), the company specialises in the remanufacture of electronic components, providing a complete aftermarket solution to the commercial vehicle, bus and coach markets.
In recent months, the company has faced a number of challenges, including delays to the launch of its new ESS product. The impact of these factors on trading meant that the company required additional investment to support the business moving forward. After exploring their options, the directors took the decision to seek the appointment of administrators.
The joint administrators have retained the majority of the company’s 51 employees to enable operations to continue for a short period while they explore the possibility of a sale of the business and assets. Unfortunately, however, 15 members of staff have been made redundant. The joint administrators will be providing support to those impacted as a matter of priority.
Chris Pole, Managing Director at Interpath Advisory, said: “Alliance Transport Technologies has been operating for 30 years, and in recent times, has pioneered the use of remanufacturing electronic components to allow commercial vehicle operators to decarbonise the maintenance of their fleets.
“Our focus in the coming days will be to explore the potential sale of the business and its assets, and would invite any interested parties to contact us as soon as possible.”
Light Science Technologies looks forward with confidence as revenue rises but losses widen
Light Science Technologies Holdings plc, the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and contract electronics manufacturing (CEM) group, is looking ahead “with a certain degree of confidence” after “a challenging period” for the business.
Newly released audited results for the year ended 30 November 2022 show that revenue grew by 10.5% to £8.17m, from £7.39m in the year prior. However the company posted a loss before tax of £2.72m.
The results come after (post-period) Light Science Technologies raised £1.59m gross proceeds, via a placing, subscription and retail offer, which is to be utilised for group working capital purposes and continued product development and intellectual property protection within the CEA division.
Simon Deacon, CEO of Light Science Technologies Holdings plc, said: “There’s no doubting that this was a challenging period for the company. However the progress made during the year, as we expanded our routes to market across both divisions, means that we can look forward with a certain degree of confidence.
“We have a strong and growing product range providing solutions for a variety of customers and a very healthy pipeline of opportunities. We remain innovative and at the forefront of the sector and are excited about the significant market opportunities.
“We believe that our energy saving products range will drive new business while the continued food shortages will enable us to showcase our solutions, offering extended season growing.
“Importantly, global trends continue to drive the need to improve food security and, as such, we aim to harness demand and accelerate growth and profitability. Furthermore, as producers seek to navigate the changing landscape, indoor farming is likely to be a key component in tackling ongoing challenges and boosting homegrown food supply.
“We are reassured by the continued support from existing and new shareholders who participated in the post-period fundraise. The funds raised will help us build on the strong momentum in our target markets. We very much look forward to further extending our reach as we invest in the business – and we believe this will result in increased revenue and margin growth.
“We see demand trends as a validation of our vision and very much look forward to working with existing and new clients as we position ourselves at the forefront of Agri-tech solutions.”
Ideagen swoops for OnePlace Solutions in second acquisition of 2023
Nottinghamshire-headquartered Ideagen has further strengthened its suite of solutions for regulated industries by acquiring OnePlace Solutions.
The second acquisition of 2023 enhances Ideagen’s collaboration capabilities, enabling greater connectivity of Microsoft 365 within organisations.
Ideagen CEO, Ben Dorks, said: “Today’s globalised world means secure and effective collaboration is essential to do business. In highly regulated industries, the need for auditable information management becomes even more crucial.
“What James and the team at OnePlace Solutions have created is a trusted suite of solutions, that provide a simplified and consistent way for people to engage with business systems built on Microsoft 365. We know these will bring significant value to existing Ideagen customers and new prospects as we use our global footprint to help extend its reach.”
James Fox, founder of OnePlace Solutions, headquartered in Sydney Australia, said: “When we looked at our ambitions for the company – to execute on our product roadmap and continue to lead the market with innovative solutions to help our customers – then this alignment with Ideagen made complete sense.
“We like that Ideagen’s values mirror our own, it feels like a good fit, and it already has a footprint in the sectors and countries we operate in, so understand what we are trying to achieve.
“The opportunity this presents is exciting and I’m looking forward to the journey ahead of us.”
James will remain with Ideagen as head of Ideagen OnePlace Solutions. Ben, who also joined Ideagen through an acquired business, added: “I’m pleased that James is choosing to stay with us and be part of our exciting and ambitious plans. His knowledge and experience of Microsoft integration and enterprise collaboration requirements is a real asset to our team.”
Ideagen OnePlace Solutions is a Microsoft Gold Partner providing cloud-based software that enables organisations to do more with their existing Microsoft 365 suite, supporting even greater interconnectivity between applications such as Outlook, Teams and SharePoint, thus increasing productivity, workplace collaboration, and enabling intelligent, compliant information management.
The acquisition, Ideagen’s second of 2023 following food safety software Ideagen Qadex in January, builds on Ideagen’s presence in Australia which already includes Ideagen CompliSpace, providing governance, risk and compliance support for sectors such as education and aged care. It also adds to Ideagen’s collaboration portal: Ideagen Huddle, its customisable secure client portfolio, Ideagen PleaseReview, a document review, co-authoring and redaction software application and Ideagen Mail Manager, which solves the problem of storing and sharing important information contained within emails.
Government-funded leadership course helps small business leaders boost performance and resilience
Small business leaders across the East Midlands are invited to take advantage of the 90% government-funded Help to Grow: Management Course which the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (EMCRC) are fully supportive of.
Designed by entrepreneurs and industry experts from the UK’s leading business schools, the course helps small business leaders and senior managers from every industry to boost leadership skills as well as business performance and resilience.
Help to Grow: Management is a 12-week course covering the critical components required to develop a resilient business strategy. It includes online and face-to-face sessions, 10 hours of 1-to-1 mentoring, peer networking, and support to develop a Growth Action Plan. 90% funded by UK Government, the course costs just £750 per person.
This practical leadership course provides time away from the challenges of running a business to invest in your leadership, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to take your business to the next level:
- Develop leadership skills across all areas of business including strategic planning, employee engagement, vision and values, finance, and marketing
- Develop strategies for market segmentation, positioning and targeting to streamline the marketing approach
- Gain exclusive access to a regional peer network to share practical challenges, ideas, and experiences
- Work with a mentor to develop a Growth Action Plan tailored to your business and its unique journey
- Learn how to engage your employees on the business journey and plan the future structure of the organisation
- Identify new technologies and digital approaches to enhance innovation and productivity across your business
- Improve operational efficiency to save time and money.
At the end of the Help to Grow: Management Course, you will be ready to lead the change required to scale your business, even in the most challenging of conditions.
To be eligible for the course, your business must employ between 5 and 249 people, and have been operational for at least a year. SMEs employing 10 or more people can enroll 2 senior managers on the course.
The course is delivered by multiple Small Business Charter accredited business schools in the East Midlands, including the University of Leicester School of Business. More information, including course dates and testimonials from course participants, is available from the Help to Grow: Management website.
Ian Harmer, Business Coordinator at the University of Leicester School of Business, said: “I would encourage owners and managers of SMEs with 5 or more employees to find out more by reviewing the participant testimonials at www.le.ac.uk/helptogrow or exploring the case study videos at Help to Grow Management – YouTube. This is a fantastic business opportunity, so do take a look at the resources available to you. The University of Leicester School of Business is delivering the course in both the East Midlands and East of England. The East Midlands course starts on May 5.”
Colin Ellis, Managing Director at the East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre, added: “The EMCRC exists to help organisations to be resilient to cyber-crime and support them where we can in other ways, too – this is great scheme to help business grow.”
Northampton IT specialists secure place on prestigious public sector framework
Public sector IT specialist Kingsfield has been awarded a place on Crown Commercial Service’s G-Cloud 13 framework, an extensive digital marketplace which will see Kingsfield become a go-to provider for the public sector nationally.
G-Cloud 13 offers public sector customers the ability to purchase cloud-based computing services at rates cheaper than in-house, saving time and the need to go through lengthy tender processes.
Crown Commercial Service supports the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. In 2021/22, CCS helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits equal to £2.8 billion – supporting world-class public services that offer best value for taxpayers.
The framework is available to all Public Sector organisations, such as the NHS, local and wider government, charities, and education providers. Customers can simply log onto the digital marketplace and filter by their needs and budget to find the most suitable solution from a list of thousands of accredited providers.
Kingsfield has secured places on Lot 2: Cloud Software, and Lot 3: Cloud Support, providing applications that are accessed over the internet and hosted in the cloud, as well as supporting customers in the set up and maintenance of their cloud software or hosting services.
Kingsfield Managing Director, Brian Boys, said: “We’re incredibly pleased to have been awarded a place on the latest G-Cloud network. To be able to provide these Cloud-based IT solutions to Public Sector organisations, who do such vital public services up and down the country, is a huge privilege, and it signifies another milestone in Kingsfield’s journey.
“In such a short span of time, our Midlands-based team of specialists has grown exponentially, with a number of new frameworks being awarded, and revenue growing by almost 231% in 2022. To secure two lots on G-Cloud 13 is a testament to the hard work of our team, during what was a difficult period for the wider industry over the last twelve months.”
Derbyshire science company Lubrizol helps give happy days to 60 Derby children
A Derbyshire science company is helping put smiles on the faces of Derby children with complex needs, by supporting them to enjoy a grand day out by the seaside.
Science company Lubrizol, whose UK headquarters is based at Hazelwood near Belper, has helped pay for 60 children and 17 carers from a Derby special school to enjoy a day out in Skegness, arranged by Happy Days Children’s Charity.
Founded by three mums in 1992, Happy Days pays for special days and holidays for children in the UK who are living with mental, physical and emotional challenges.
It helps nearly 25,000 children with additional needs each year.
Rob Cox, fundraising and marketing manager for the charity, said: “Days out like this give children a chance to have fun, but also it’s a really important opportunity for them to get out of their normal environment, use social skills and have contact with people they may have never met before. Things like buying an ice cream can be a big deal for them.”
Happy Days organises and funds a wide range of activities for the thousands of children it supports, including trips to the seaside, theatres, zoos, museums, outdoor activity centres, sporting events and other educational and cultural activities.
The charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on support from companies like Lubrizol and an army of volunteers.
Rob said: “Some parents don’t have the finances even to afford a simple day trip, especially with the cost of living situation we’re now seeing. One reason we’re able to do this is the access to all of the doctors, nurses and support staff who give up their time to accompany children on their trips.
“We have thousands of volunteers all over the country. As we receive no government funding, we’re 100 per cent reliant on the generosity of companies like Lubrizol to fund our activities – thank you to each and every one of them.”
Tom Grazier, co-chair of Lubrizol’s charities and communities committee which provided funding towards the Happy Days Skegness trip, said: “It’s very important to us at Lubrizol that we give back to the communities where we work. We do this not only by giving up voluntary time but also in making financial contributions to good causes we come across.
“It’s great to know that we’ll be supporting what looks to be a great day out by the seaside for 60 children and their carers. This particular charity really spoke to us as it was clear what great work it does. We hope that everyone from Derby going on this trip has a fantastic time in Skegness!”
Walkers makes healthy progress in sales milestone
Walkers has made “significant progress” towards achieving its 2025 health ambition, with 30% of sales now from healthier snacks.
In April 2022, the crisp giant set out an ambition to make 50% of Walkers snack sales come from healthier alternatives by 2025, targeting 30% to come from products that do not classify as high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) and 20% from snacks sold in portions of 100 calories or less per packet.
The company is over halfway to reaching this goal, after only a year into an initial three-year investment of £35 million to drive product innovation and reformulation. Non-HFSS snacks now account for 15% of Walkers’ overall sales, and portions of 100 calories or less account for a further 15% of sales. Two-thirds of all new products launched last year were not classified as HFSS.
A major step towards this progress was the launch of Walkers 45% Less Salt, the business’s first potato crisp to not be classified as high in fat, salt or sugar. Despite only launching last year, 45% Less Salt has already become a popular brand with sales over £30 million. As a result of its success, the range is set to grow with the new arrival of 45% Less Salt Delicate Prawn Cocktail.
“Walkers has long been a leader in the development of healthier snacks, and last year we stepped up our efforts, setting our boldest ambition yet. I’m immensely proud of how far we’ve come in a year by reshaping our portfolio,” said Jason Richards, general manager of PepsiCo UK & Ireland.
“We’ve done this through a combination of innovation with new products such as Walkers’ 45% Less Salt and Popworks, reformulation of established family favourites Walkers Baked and Doritos Dippers, and offering a broader range of our most loved brands in portions of under 100 calories or less.
“This shows there’s an increasing appetite for healthier choices in the UK. Our R&D team in Leicester has met this demand for healthier choices without compromising on our trademark taste and quality. We know there’s more work to do, and we remain confident that we can reach our ambition, dramatically shifting our snacks portfolio towards healthier alternatives.”
D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership leads panel discussion at Leeds trade event
The huge potential of devolution for the East Midlands region will be showcased at a major UK trade event in Leeds on May 16th-18th.
D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership is to lead a panel session at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum 2023 to discuss upcoming devolution in the East Midlands for businesses and investors.
The D2N2 region, covering Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, has an industrial and manufacturing track record and is at the forefront of economic development, with the East Midlands Freeport and the East Midlands Development Company recently established.
The region is on track to become the home of the UK’s newest and largest combined authority in 2024. The D2N2 area sits in the heart of the country and is very well connected, and benefits from proximity to infrastructure assets such as East Midlands Airport, the M1 and fast rail links, and its central location means that almost 90% of the UK is accessible within a four hour drive.
The panel session will provide the opportunity for delegates to hear from speakers representing D2N2 LEP, the East Midlands Development Company and key businesses in the region, who will share their insights on the benefits and opportunities devolution will bring to the East Midlands.
Delegates will have the opportunity to get involved in the discussion about what the private sector can bring to complement and enhance the newest and largest devolution deal in England, set to leverage at least £38m per year over 30 years.
The panel session will be chaired by Nicolle Ndiweni, Inward Investment and Business Expansion Specialist, Invest in Nottingham, and the panel will include:
• Will Morlidge – Chief Executive, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership
• Andrew Roberts – Regional Head of Acquisitions, Yorkshire & Central, Harworth Group
• Andy Dabbs – Board Director, Whittam Cox Architects
• Sir Chris Haworth – Chairman, East Midlands Development Company
• Ellie Hinds – Business Development Manager, Scape Group
• Steve Wooler – Chief Executive, BWB
Will Morlidge, Chief Executive of D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “The East Midlands devolution deal is not just about driving more funding from the Government into our region: it is also a very clear signal from Government that the East Midlands is the vibrant industrial heart of the UK and is a great place to invest. Together with the rest of the panel, I am really looking forward to discussing the unique opportunities that devolution will unlock for businesses and investors in the region and beyond.”
John Forkin, MD of Marketing Derby, added: “As well as championing Derby and Derbyshire, we also regularly collaborate with our partners on projects that benefit the wider region, such as the East Midlands devolution deal, which we are fully behind. Over the years, we have achieved some notable successes, attracting major companies, both national and international, bringing thousands of new jobs to this part of the world and we are excited about the huge potential to do so going forward.”
Multi-million-pound partnership celebrates taking aerospace industry to new heights
A multi-million-pound partnership, which brought academia and industry together to instigate innovation and mechanical excellence in the aerospace sector, has come to an end after making multiple advances in technologies.
The Cornerstone Prosperity Partnership, led by the University of Nottingham alongside industry partner Rolls-Royce and academic partners University of Oxford and Imperial College London, was awarded £13.5 million in funding by the EPSRC and partners in 2017 to advance six key areas of mechanical engineering science. Since then, Queen’s University Belfast has also joined the partnership due to its expertise in structural behaviour.
The partnership advanced mechanical engineering science, bringing low carbon aircraft propulsion closer to reality, and supported the exploration of new designs that improve efficiency, reduce noise pollution, and lower gas turbine engine weight, through work in the following areas:
- High power-density contacts
- Impact and intelligent failure management
- Advanced static and dynamic load management
- Exploiting aero-structural interactions
- Innovations in thermal management
- Electro-mechanical interactions
- Influence of platform behaviour on sub-system design
Company’s clay donation supports £5.3m canal restoration project
The restoration of the Chesterfield Canal will shortly take a great leap forward, thanks to a huge donation of clay from Suon Ltd supporting a £5.3m major works programme by the Chesterfield Canal Trust.
The funds from the Staveley Town Deal will allow for rebuilding the historic Staveley Puddlebank, an 800-metres structure stretching across the Doe Lea Valley.
It was built in 1776 out of clay dug by hand and moved in wheelbarrows. The structure was 10 metres high when it crossed the river Doe Lea. It was partially bulldozed in 1972, hence the need to remodel it.
The value of the clay runs well into seven figures. It is currently at Foxlow, just north of Barrow Hill. The total volume is 160,000 cubic metres. If this was all heaped onto the pitch at Wembley Stadium, it would be as high as a seven storey building or five double decker buses. If it was piled onto the centre court at Wimbledon, it would be over 800 metres high. That’s the same as the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building or nearly three times the height of the Shard, Britain’s tallest building.
The Chesterfield Canal Trust says it is incredibly grateful for this wonderful gesture by Suon, and also to the Chatsworth Settlement which has waived its right to the royalties that it held upon the clay.
Nicholas Wood, Estates Director for Chatsworth, said: “We are very happy to have been able to support the Chesterfield Canal Trust with this project, and we hope it will help enable future generations to enjoy the canal for many years.”
Chesterfield Canal Trust’s Development Manager, George Rogers, said: “Purchasing and transporting suitable materials from other sources would be prohibitively expensive and cause untold disturbance to the local population. Without this incredibly generous donation, the project simply couldn’t proceed in its current form and so the Trust is very grateful for the support and generosity of Suon and Chatsworth. We look forward to continuing our long history of working together to enable the restoration of the canal”.
Ivan Fomin, Chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “It’s fantastic to see project sponsors working together to achieve the overall objectives of the Town Deal. This is an important donation that will help ensure the canal can continue to be enjoyed by local people and visitors, whilst making use of this natural resource in the local area.”
Suon Ltd, Chatsworth Settlement Trustees and Chesterfield Canal Trust support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
Recognise the exceptional work of property and construction businesses at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
With nominations now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards, take this opportunity to showcase your business, team and projects by submitting an entry for the prestigious event.
Celebrating the region’s property and construction industry, award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Shine the spotlight on your team, reward their efforts, and boost morale.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, 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.
After winning an award at the 2022 event, Steve Rayner, partner at Rayner Davies Architects, said: “It was great to be named Architects of the Year at this year’s East Midlands Bricks Awards. To have the recognition of our peers in the industry, in our 30th year in practice, was especially satisfying. I would recommend anyone to get involved in this excellent annual event. A big thank you to everyone that has supported us over the years and a big thank you for the award.”
To nominate your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
To be held at:
Award categories include:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – 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 County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks 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:
