In a new trading update, ahead of Rolls-Royce’s Annual General Meeting today, the Derby firm has hailed making “good progress,” with its financial performance “improving.”
CEO, Tufan Erginbilgic, said this reflects positive changes driven by Rolls-Royce’s transformation programme, which is “moving at pace” and previously saw the company cut thousands of jobs, while good end market demand for products and services has been seen.
The manufacturer noted that trading has been in line with expectations in the four months to 30 April 2023 and that underlying operating profit guidance (of £0.8-£1bn) in 2023 stands unchanged.
Meanwhile an increased focus on efficiency and simplification is helping to keep costs down and has identified savings.
Chief Executive Tufan Erginbilgic is due to say at the Annual General Meeting: “We are transforming Rolls-Royce into a high quality and competitive business with a strong balance sheet and growing profit, cash flows and returns. We are already benefitting from the actions we are taking as well as recovery and growth in our end markets.
“We announced several changes to the executive team in March to support the transformation, adding leaders with proven track records of delivery and high-performance. We are making good progress and our financial performance year-to-date is in line with expectations. I’d like to thank everyone at Rolls-Royce.
“Our financial performance is improving reflecting positive changes driven by our transformation programme workstreams and good end market demand for our products and services.
“Supply chain management remains a key operational challenge for us as original equipment and aftermarket services volumes increase, especially in Civil Aerospace. Our financial performance is in line with our expectations at the time of the full year results on 23 February. Our underlying operating profit guidance of £0.8-£1.0bn and free cash flow guidance of £0.6-£0.8bn in 2023 is unchanged. We anticipate our free cash flow generation will be seasonally weighted in the second half of the year, as previously indicated.
“In Civil Aerospace, long term service agreement large engine flying hours (EFH) were 83% of 2019 levels in the four months to 30 April, and on track for the 80% to 90% range for the full year, as guided in February. Shop visit volumes and OE deliveries are also on track with expectations. We have continued to win new business including our biggest ever order of Trent XWB-97 engines in the period, with an MoU for 68 engines (plus 20 options) for Air India.
“In Defence, we continued our successful run of key programme awards with the announcement that the AUKUS submarine programme will be powered by Rolls-Royce nuclear reactors. In the US, Bell’s V-280 Valor, powered by our AE1107F engines, cleared the protest period, enabling our teams to progress to the next phase, with the first aircraft due to enter into service in 2030. Bell’s V-280 Valor was selected last year by the US Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft programme to replace its Black Hawk helicopters.
“In Power Systems, revenue growth is being driven by demand for aftermarket services and exceptionally high order intake in the prior year, especially for power generation solutions. We are getting improved pricing on new orders which will drive margins up with the benefits expected to start showing in the second half of the year. High order intake year-to-date included strong demand from marine customers, including an order for Series 4000 gensets for the U.S Navy’s Constellation Class frigate programme.
“Work on the transformation programme is moving at pace. Our increased focus on efficiency and simplification is helping to keep costs down and has already identified savings, for example the closure of our R2 Factory venture. We are encouraged by the early progress of our commercial optimisation and working capital workstreams, with positive results expected to build as the year goes on. Our strategic review is on track and as previously indicated, we will communicate the findings and medium term targets in the second half of 2023.”
Rolls Royce’s half year 2023 results will be announced on 3 August.
Continued strength across the UK services sector has driven increases in business output and optimism, according to the latest Business Trends report from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO.
BDO’s Output Index reached an eight-month high of 99.80 in April, driven by a jump of 4.53 points across the Services Output Index as conditions across this sector improved. The sector last saw such an improvement in January 2022.
This growth was partially offset by a drop in the Manufacturing Output Index, taking it to 82.94, its worst performance in almost three years, since the early months of the pandemic.
Despite this, the overall Output Index now sits clear of the 95-point mark, the point of expansion, indicating growth in the economy in April.
It’s a similar story for BDO’s Optimism Index which has been buoyed by stronger-than-expected consumer activity and subsequent positivity across the services sector to reach its strongest reading since August 2022 at 98.22.
This is contrasted by the fall in optimism across the manufacturing sector, as businesses suffer from the effects of various economic headwinds including high input price pressures and ongoing supply chain disruption. These economic burdens caused a fall of 2.16 points for the Manufacturing Optimism Index – its lowest level since February 2021.
An overall stronger sentiment towards resilience in the UK economy reflects the ongoing decline in inflation as April saw the BDO Inflation Index dip to its lowest point in 18 months. The index now stands at 107.55 points as both input and consumer price pressures subsided.
The BDO Employment Index witnessed a third consecutive increase in April, driven by an uptick in the number of people in work, taking the Index to 111.07.
Whilst labour market conditions and growth prospects for the UK economy remain strong, higher interest rates are expected to weigh on economic activity and put upward pressure on the unemployment rate, with a peak of 4.3% forecasted for H2 2023.
Kaley Crossthwaite, partner at BDO LLP, said: “A tale of two sectors has emerged over the past few months as the resilience of the UK economy relies almost solely on the outlook for the improving services sector, as manufacturing businesses face an ongoing downturn.
“Supply side issues and energy price increases are expected to persist over the coming months and whilst there are signs that the worst may be over, particularly with input price inflation, this sector will need continued support to take the pressure off services.”
For the second time this year, Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has been announced as a successful partner for a major national Pagabo framework.
Running from 2023 to May 2027, the contractor has been reappointed to the National Framework Agreement for Refit and Refurbishment Solutions, which comprises of 93 high-quality contractors covering a range of refurbishment and refit projects across five value bands and 44 regions.
G F Tomlinson was also reappointed to Pagabo’s National Framework for Medium Works in January and since 2020, the contractor has partnered with Pagabo on several frameworks including the Major Works Framework, the previous Framework for Refit and Refurbishment Solutions, and the previous Medium Works Framework, which the new iteration now supersedes.
As part of the partnership, G F Tomlinson has been appointed to deliver projects from £500,000 up to £15 million throughout Yorkshire and the East and West Midlands.
Focusing on public sector refit and refurbishment works, G F Tomlinson will deliver schemes across the education, healthcare, civic, leisure, housing, blue light, highways and infrastructure industries.
G F Tomlinson demonstrated relevant experience, stability and a strong commitment to social value and the carbon reduction agenda in order to be successful in its framework bid.
Alongside providing value for money for clients, it was important that the contractor provided evidence of delivering quality builds on time and to budget, as well as managing the supply chain to a high standard.
G F Tomlinson have delivered several projects under the Pagabo suite of frameworks, including the £3.7m extension and remodelling of Cardinal Newman Catholic School and the £6.5m expansion and remodelling of Barr’s Hill School, both for Coventry City Council, plus the £2.4m Urgent Treatment Centre for Lincoln Hospital. They are also currently on site constructing the £15.4m new Air and Space Institute (ASI) in Newark for Lincoln College Group.
Looking to the future, the contractor has more projects in the pipeline being procured via Pagabo with a cumulative value of over £64m.
Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re extremely proud to have secured our place on yet another national high-value framework with Pagabo, which will be our second since January this year.
“Our reappointment to the National Framework Agreement for Refit and Refurbishment Solutions is our sixth agreement with Pagabo which continues our success on public sector frameworks where we have delivered in excess of £500 million worth of projects via this procurement route.
“We look forward to improving and restoring a range of public sector buildings through renovation and retrofitting techniques, incorporating new technologies wherever possible, and are delighted to be given the opportunity to continually support the regeneration of local communities.
“With our expertise, commitment to delivering high-quality projects and our passion to enhance social value for local communities, we are best placed to serve public sector clients on all their project requirements.”
Elliott Talbot, framework manager at Pagabo, said: “We’re delighted to see G F Tomlinson secure their place on our new Refit & Refurbishment Framework. Their position on our suite of construction frameworks has enabled them to deliver a range of public sector works in recent years. This appointment will allow us to continue to work closely together and we can’t wait to get started.”
Local contractor and developer, Stirlin, has completed a new phase of employment space on their development in Lincoln: Kirk’s Yard.
Kirk’s Yard is a commercial business park located just outside the village of Branston, approximately 4 miles from Lincoln City Centre.
Stirlin completed the first two phases of the development back in March 2019, with all units occupied by a variety of established local businesses, including Gateway Automation, Lincolnshire Radiators Direct and TL Electrical Engineering.
Following the success of these phases, Stirlin has now delivered a third phase, to provide 10 industrial units suitable for a variety of business uses, ranging in size from 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft.
Sustainable elements of the scheme include energy efficient lighting, bike racks to encourage the cycle to work scheme and the recycling of existing topsoil from the land, which has been used for the landscaped areas around the site. Stirlin also offer buyers the option to include a renewable energy solar system on the units.
Managing Director of Stirlin, Tony Lawton, says: “Our Kirk’s Yard site has proven very popular, particularly due to its location, so it’s great to provide further employment space to meet the demand and facilitate business growth in the area.
“In addition to this scheme, we have several other projects in the pipeline for 2023. We are also open to contractual work, and we encourage people to get in touch to discuss their requirements.”
With the completion of the third phase, Stirlin have transformed 2.2 acres of vacant land on Mere Road into over 33,000 sq ft of new employment space.
At this year’s UKReiiF (UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum) event in Leeds from 16-18 May 2023, Invest in Leicester will brief potential investors about recent successes from businesses including major residential and industrial developers, Segro and Harworth Group, and from the director who led the £17 million development of an historic department store in the centre of Leicester into the upmarket Gresham Aparthotel.
The Invest in Leicester events at UKReiiF will focus on how the organisations are thriving in the region, highlighting the ingredients for success.
The session will be chaired by Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council.
Mike said: “The transformation of Leicester and Leicestershire has been significant over recent years, thanks to a strong public and private collaboration. We are delighted to be attending UKREiiF again this year, as a platform to further raising the profile of the city and county, showcasing the investment and development opportunities across the area and the strength of the collaboration between the public and private sector.”
David Cockroft, Regional Director for the Midlands at Harworth Group plc, said: “Invest in Leicester has been a trusted and valued long-term partner for Harworth. Its support has been critical to the delivery of our 2,000-home south east Coalville new community and Bardon Hill industrial and logistics scheme in the area. We look forward to working with the council at UKREiiF to showcase the huge potential of the area and the future opportunities that this will bring.”
The team will also promote its digital land and property prospectus, which highlights 40 key investment opportunities spanning the length and breadth of the city and county and ultimately, that Leicester and Leicestershire are open for business.
Attendees at UKReiiF can see Invest in Leicester at the following events: Designing a Thriving and Sustainable Future in Leicester & Leicestershire (Tuesday 16 May 2023 from 9:30-10:30am, Cinema of War Room, Royal Armouries Museum), Digital Sites Prospectus Launch (Thursday 18 May 2023 from 1-2.15pm, Pavilion 7 in the Pavilion Square).
Wavensmere Homes has struck a deal with The Fulton Partnership, which will see one of the pepperpot buildings at the £175m Nightingale Quarter Scheme in Derby City Centre transformed into a café, bar, and restaurant.
Located off London Road, close to the Derbion shopping centre, ‘The Pepperpot’ is scheduled to open in August 2023, creating a new dining experience for the city. The venue will be open seven days a week, serving gastro-style food with locally sourced ingredients.
The Pepperpot restaurant will be situated at the front of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary redevelopment, where restoration and construction work is currently in progress. A bijou cocktail bar and cafe will feature within the historic building conversion, with an air-conditioned glass box extension housing the main restaurant to the rear. Wavensmere Homes and The Fulton Partnership are collectively investing more than £1m in the project.
The Pepperpot will be The Fulton Partnership’s sixth venue in the Midlands. The group is best known for The Butchers Bar and The Westgate Suites Wedding Venue, which are both in Long Eaton. Stables Hotel and The Bowling Green Inn are located adjacent to each other in Ashbourne, while The Saracens Head Steakhouse is in Meir, Stoke on Trent.
Graeme Fulton, owner of The Fulton Partnership, said: “The Pepperpot will be our first ever city centre venue, which we’ve been on the lookout for for some time. At Nightingale Quarter, we will have the rare combination of; a stunning historic building; well over 1,000 residents living in the same development; and a superb location, only a short walk from the Derbion shopping centre and Derby train station.
“Ahead of the August opening, we have appointed Matthew Guy as the head chef, and he is currently sourcing the best ingredients from local suppliers for our extensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The menus have a strong emphasis on quality and choice. We’ll be recruiting and training local people to work with us and look forward to getting to know all the neighbours already living here.”
Remediation and construction work commenced at The Nightingale Quarter in late 2020. During the past three years, over 80% of the 925 homes have been matched with buyers. Five phases of the project are currently under construction by Wavensmere Homes, enabling 486 of the homes to be completed this year.
The 18.5-acre site is one of the UK’s most significant city centre regeneration projects and includes the restoration of several landmark buildings and monuments from the 130-year-old former hospital.
James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “The synergy we have with The Fulton Partnership is very strong and we are thrilled they have chosen to replicate our Nightingale Quarter branding for The Pepperpot restaurant. The interior design has a cool art deco feel, which will create a place that everyone will enjoy spending time in. This venue will become the heart and soul of the community here.”
Pepperpot restaurant CGI
Newark-based Kast Concrete Basins has been acquired by US company Kohler, becoming part of the Kohler Luxury Brands Division.
Kohler continues to grow its global leadership in the design, innovation, and manufacture of kitchen and bath products with the boutique designer and manufacturer of contemporary concrete basins and sinks.
Kast specialises in bathroom basins within the premium market and is a design-led brand known for its bold colours.
The 12-year-old company was founded by Tim Bayes, who will now serve as Kast’s Managing Director/head of creative.
“Kohler pioneered vibrant, colourful products to great acclaim as far back as 1927, and has progressively introduced innovative designs, materials, and finishes that help customers make a design statement in their spaces,” said Bonnie Choruby, president – Luxury Brands at Kohler.
“Kast shares that same mindset and is a perfect fit for our Luxury Brands division. Not only does the brand bring a new material to our portfolio – concrete – but also the colour and refinement expertise that is evident in the unique shapes and forms of its beautiful basins.”
“We are thrilled to join the Kohler organization, a highly admired multinational company that has achieved 150 years of unparalleled innovation and growth,” said Bayes.
“Everyone at Kast Concrete Basins also has the passion to innovate relentlessly, and we couldn’t be more pleased to now be a part of the Luxury Brands division that includes like-minded brands and the resourcing to accelerate global expansion.”
The Peak District National Park Authority has confirmed that an internal workforce consultation process has begun after Members of the Authority approved a series of formal proposals as part of an organisational restructure at the Authority.
Staff at the Authority were informed of the proposals in a series of face-to-face meetings on Wednesday 3 May.
Among the proposals to be consulted upon is a change in the way the Authority engages visitors with the potential closing or repurposing of four visitor centres operated by the Authority at Bakewell, Castleton, Edale and Fairholmes in the Upper Derwent Valley.
Authority Members will approve any final proposals for implementation on 28 July.
Further proposals include reducing current senior management levels by more than half, along with the merging of some administrative services and potential outsourcing of some professional services.
Up to 65 people are at risk of redundancy with the creation of 31 new posts, however the Authority says it hopes to retain the skills and experience of as many staff as possible. Overall, the Authority anticipates a net reduction in its workforce of around 7%. Smaller changes to some other existing posts include role title differences or the moving of teams to alternative departments.
The announcement comes as the Authority says it has faced a ‘real terms’ cut in its annual Defra government grant of around 40% over the last decade; with the Authority receiving around the same grant now as it did in 2012, with no increases in line with inflation.
A recent one-off grant of £440,000 made available to all ten English national parks – representing less than 10% of the Authority’s annual baseline budget – will be used to help fund the transition towards a more sustainable operating model.
Major drivers for the proposed organisational change, alongside budget cuts, include the need to meet an increased demand in planning work and the changing way in which visitors now source information about their potential visit. The Authority’s four visitor centres currently host 400,000 people per year, around 1 in 30 of the Peak District’s estimated 13 million annual visitors.
In recent years in particular, digital and online reach has seen a dramatic increase at the Authority with its website now attracting around 2.5 million visits annually and a range of social media channels gathering a following of some 150,000. This in turn has led to wider audience contact that means around 750,000 people a year are now engaging with Facebook content generated by the Authority alone, with further audiences on channels such as Instagram.
Future ways in which the Authority engages with its millions of visitors are expected to take into account aspects such as online information, existing and new welcoming volunteer roles offering advice and guidance, publications such as an annual Welcome Guide, along with national park rangers and potential information points in high profile locations. Impacts on accessibility and diverse audiences will also be considered as part of any visitor provision should centres close.
In some locations such as Fairholmes, ranger and volunteer interactions across the wider site may help to support direct engagement, in contrast to the relatively limited numbers of people currently using the visitor centre.
Changes to the pay structure within the National Park Authority have also been highlighted within the proposals, with salaries in departments including planning and development routinely found to be lower than many similar organisations according to independent analysis.
This is thought to be a prominent factor behind a continued recruitment challenge for the Authority leading to additional, unsustainable demands on existing teams in the workforce. New proposed pay modelling aims to redress this balance and both ease pressures on staff and improve services received by the public.
Overall, a number of roles within the Authority will see pay scales changed as the organisation seeks to achieve parity with similar posts in comparable organisations by January 2024.
Chief Executive Phil Mulligan said: “Any decisions that affect our workforce and colleagues are among the hardest to make. However, making these difficult choices now means that we can work towards a sustainable future for our organisation as a whole, where we have the ability to deliver well in the areas that are so crucial to the Peak District and our nation like the protection of our heritage, nature’s recovery and climate change.
“Of course, providing a public service for our visitors to ensure their time with us is safe, enjoyable and responsible – whatever their needs or background – is still crucial, but we also have to embrace new and dynamic ways to achieve this without some of the costs we have seen in recent years.
“I want to recognise the passion and energy that our front-facing staff bring to their role in welcoming visitors and that the tough decisions being proposed do not reflect these teams’ commitment, but are as a result of factors in the wider financial landscape.
“I also completely understand that proposed changes to the pay of other colleagues in the Authority may be hard to rationalise, however we also have our statutory obligations as a national park authority and these must be met; which is especially hard when we are unable to be competitive as an employer.
“The changes proposed will ultimately see us becoming a more affordable and resilient organisation in the face of ongoing financial uncertainty, and safeguard our critical role in caring for the Peak District.”
The Authority confirmed that all visitor operations are continuing to operate as normal.
One of the UK’s largest independent family run frozen food wholesalers, Hopwells has acquired one of its competitors, Windsor Foodservice.
The move will support Hopwell’s strategic plan to expand its service offering and geographical reach.
Hopwells was established in 1975 and is headquartered in Nottingham. The wholeslaer operates a fleet of over 110 vehicles from six distribution depots throughout England and offers its customer base a comprehensive range of frozen food products and chilled goods, including premium fresh meat and poultry from various branded manufacturers and suppliers.
Windsor Foodservice, which is also a family run business, was set up in 1989 and is headquartered in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The business employs over 70 staff and supplies over 3,000 catering customers.
In 2013 the business created Pete’s Patisseries – a top of the range luxury dessert range; and in 2017 launched Windsor Fresh Meat which offered top quality meat products at competitive prices.
Browne Jacobson corporate lawyer, Sam Sharp and associate Ruairi O’Grady advised on the deal.
Sam Sharp, who leads the firm’s UK & Ireland food and drink practice, said: “Both Hopwells and Windsor are well respected in their markets, are built on strong family values, and have excellent reputations for providing quality service to their longstanding customer base, so it was a pleasure to have been involved in the merger of these two similar businesses.
“This move will enable the newly merged business group to further develop and grow its product portfolio and position itself as a major player in the food wholesaler sector.”
Tristan Hopwell, Managing Director of Hopwells, added: “Hopwells is an independent family business which prides itself on its traditional family values. Windsor is also a family business, and we both celebrate the successes our family ethos brings to our customers.
“Hopwells and Windsor Foodservice have both grown our businesses from the ground up, we’re both excited to bring together our joint experiences to form a leading position within wholesale.”
Chesterfield-based independent drinks business, Global Brands, has broken records for their financial year ending 30 September 2022.
Global Brands, owners of a portfolio including Franklin & Sons, Hooch, VK, and more has reported double-digit turnover growth for financial year 2022, driven by record international growth, successful NPD launches including Lustre liqueurs, and canned cocktail and RTD sales.
The company has reported a 26.6% increase in turnover, rising to £84.4 million, versus sales of £66.6 million in the 20/21 financial year.
The company is now the biggest supplier of branded canned cocktails to the UK off trade, and the biggest supplier of ready to drink products into the UK on premises across their portfolio. The company’s portfolio of drinks brands includes VK, Hooch, Franklin & Sons, All Shook Up, Shake Baby Shake, Corky’s, Beviamo, Kick Energy, Lustre, and Amigos Tequila Beer.
Global Brands also reported a 50% increase in international business. Having launched Franklin & Sons in the USA in 2019, just as the pandemic struck, the international arm of the business is now seeing significant growth, reaching £5 million in turnover for the first time in the history of the business.
Profitability increased, with an operating of £6.9 million compared to £6.1 million in the previous financial year.
Steve Perez, founder and chairman at Global Brands, said: “Global Brands, the UK’s leading independent drinks business, has had another fantastic year. 21/22 has been our sixth successive year of growth, almost doubling our turnover in the last five years.
“We’ve recently purchased the trademarks for Hooch, Hooper’s, and Reef from Molson Coors, and have lots of exciting new products in the pipeline. We’re now the biggest supplier of branded canned cocktails in the UK off trade, and the biggest supplier of RTDs into the on trade.
“Franklin & Sons is now the second biggest premium tonic in the UK on trade, and we’ve seen fantastic growth for the brand in the UK and especially internationally, in markets in Asia, through Europe, and from our newly opened office in the USA.
“We’re unique in that we create everything in-house, from design, marketing, and NPD through to the distribution of our brands from here in Chesterfield and Clay Cross – areas where we’ve invested just under £3 million in the last year. From our base in Derbyshire, we employ almost 200 people, and our success is down to the fantastic teams that drive these brands forward.
“While economic conditions have been challenging in the six months since we’ve published our accounts, especially in regard to energy and raw material costs, we’re confident going forward that the company will continue its momentum in the next financial year.”
Global Brands has started financial year 22/23 in a strong position. Late last year saw the hard launch of premium tonics, sodas, and soft drinks brand Franklin & Sons into the USA, to further capitalise on international growth, while the company acquired the trademarks for Hooch, Hooper’s, and Reef from Molson Coors, investing in the brands with the security of owning the equity.
Alongside this, Global Brands has launched an all-new VK & SODA extension for their no.1 RTD for students eight years running, VK. The new range delivers on demand for zero sugar and lower calorie drinks, while retaining the flavourful and tasty essence of the original VK range, engaging with RTD consumers, and attracting the segment of consumers that opt for beverages with fewer calories than typical RTDs.
A £2 million expansion of the Global Brands Distribution Centre was also recently completed, increasing capacity from 30 million to 40 million products stored.
Over 190 people attended the Furnley House Foundation Summer Ball on Saturday 6 May at Winstanley House, Leicester, raising over £40,000 for charity.
Hosted by comedian Patrick Monahan, guests enjoyed a drinks reception, a three-course meal, entertainment from a live band and a fire dancer. Attendees also had the opportunity to take home some amazing items in both live and silent auctions.
The Furnley House Foundation was born out of local financial adviser and mortgage broker Furnley House’s ambition to create opportunities and improve the lives of the local community. The Foundation holds a number of events each year to help bring the community together.
The headline charity partner for this year’s ball was Falcon Support Services. Funds raised on the evening will also be donated to Bodie Hodges Foundation, Hope For Hunger, Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project (LAMP) and Leicestershire Cares.
Falcon Support Services have helped the homeless and those in need across Leicestershire find independence through housing and community support for 20 years. They were chosen as headliner after winning the Charity of the Year category at the Furnley House Foundation’s Leicestershire Community Champions Awards in November last year.
Simon Winfield, chairman of the Furnley House Foundation, said: “It was great to get so much support for our Summer Ball from the Leicestershire community, which has enabled us to raise so much for five richly deserving charities.
“This helps us to achieve our mission of improving and saving lives in Leicester and Leicestershire. Thank you to everyone for their support and we look forward to our next event, the Leicestershire Community Champions Awards, later in the year.”
Founded as a market stall in 2021 by Liz Telford-Sides, The Little Ark toy shop has fledged into an independent store at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre in Chesterfield.
During maternity leave Liz began investigating eco-friendly alternatives to plastic in children’s toys and started sourcing more sustainable alternatives.
She said: “We are incredibly excited to move to Vicar Lane Shopping Centre. The mix of independent shops alongside big high street brands such as H&M and New Look is great and we are so proud to be part of this.
“There are two main reasons we love being in Chesterfield; one is our customers and the other is the local independent businesses. We have received wonderful support from both our customers and the other indie businesses.
“People are now wanting to see the products they are purchasing, and I would definitely say I’m one of those people. When people see our products in-person, they often comment on the quality of the items and the longevity they can get out of them. This is transferable across independent businesses; they are providing quality items and provide an exceptional level of service that you just can’t get online.
“Businesses such as ours are willing to take a risk on providing Chesterfield with something it doesn’t have, but it will only be successful if people shop with us. Independent businesses can often be hidden away from the main thoroughfares but if people look that little bit harder they will find some absolute hidden gems.”
Liz also added that the success of the business wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her father, Gary Telford, who helps to run the shop on a daily basis.
Shaun Brown, Centre Manager at Vicar Lane said: “We’re thrilled to be able to support yet another local business in the heart of Chesterfield, especially one with such sustainable values. We’re very excited to see the range of toys and baby products on offer at The Little Ark.’’
Vicar Lane Shopping Centre supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
Businesses in North Derbyshire are being urged to seek the royal seal of approval for their own achievements by entering the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024.
East Midlands Chamber is encouraging companies to enter the scheme, billed as the UK’s most prestigious business awards, and which opened for entries over the coronation weekend.
They will recognise organisations for their achievements across innovation, international development, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “Our region is full of fantastic companies that are breaking new ground in their sectors, delivering goods and services across the world, and demonstrating how business can be a force for good – which is why we are so keen to talk about the East Midlands being a Centre of Trading Excellence.
“Now, it’s time to start spreading the word about just how great we are on a global stage and we would encourage businesses to shout about their achievements far and wide.
“The King’s coronation was a tremendous occasion that brought the best of our country together, so what better time to use this as an opportunity to showcase the best of our region’s business community by entering the King’s Awards for Enterprise.
“It was exciting to see eight companies with links to our region – including six Chamber members – recognised in the 2023 awards but it would be great to grow this number in 2024 and really put the East Midlands on the map.”
The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 are free to enter and the deadline is midday on 12 September 2023. Applicants can enter multiple categories via an online process.
Shortlisted organisations will be notified in October and winners notified in March 2024, with unsuccessful organisations receiving feedback on their applications around the same time.
The list of winners is officially announced in the London Gazette on 6 May 2024 and representatives will be invited to attend a royal reception next summer.
Awards recipients are permitted to fly the King’s Awards for Enterprise flag at their main office and use the emblem in marketing materials for five years.
They will also receive an official certificate known as a grant of appointment and a commemorative crystal trophy.
For more information about eligibility criteria and to apply for the King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024, visit www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise.
Producers, artisans and craftspeople based in Chesterfield and Derbyshire are being encouraged to showcase their products in a dedicated makers’ marketplace at Chatsworth Country Fair.
Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, in partnership with Derbyshire County Council, is inviting local producers to apply for a place in the ‘Derbyshire Makers’ Marketplace’ at one of England’s most spectacular annual outdoor celebrations.
Derbyshire producers can register an interest in exhibiting in the Derbyshire Makers’ Marketplace at the event, which will celebrate the fantastic variety of quality products made in the county, ranging from arts, crafts and homeware to fine food and drink.
The opportunity is open to SMEs based in Derbyshire, and is part financially supported by Derbyshire County Council. Derbyshire-based businesses can apply for a place in the Derbyshire Makers’ Marketplace using the following link: https://VPDDCCF23.eventbrite.co.uk
Applications close on Sunday 14th May. Stalls provided to successful applicants will be subject to a charge of £150 plus VAT per business.
Leader of Derbyshire County Council Councillor Barry Lewis said: “Derbyshire has a wealth of quality local produce, artisan makers and skilled craftspeople and it’s great to be able to shine the spotlight on all they have to offer at Chatsworth Country Fair this year.
“The fair attracts thousands of visitors from near and far and is a great platform for local businesses to expand their customers base as well as flying the flag for Derbyshire makers.”
Jo Dilley, MD of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “We’re delighted to offer Derbyshire producers the opportunity to showcase and sell their products and services to thousands of potential customers from across the UK at Chatsworth Country Fair this summer.
“The marketplace is a celebration of local talent, showcasing the wealth of quality products made in Derbyshire, and offers a great opportunity for independent makers to exhibit at a large national event thanks to support from Derbyshire County Council. Good luck to everyone who applies!”
On Thursday this week an Innovate UK collaboration with Loughborough Business School to help businesses reduce carbon in the supply chain and a mental fitness platform start-up could become a winner in this year’s British Data Awards.
Solutions firm SupplyVue partnered with Loughborough Business School to develop an industry-first digital solution that can measure carbon consumption in a supply chain, has been shortlisted in the SME of the Year and Technology Company of the Year categories.
SupplyVue’s digital solution, CarbonVue enables real-time management of carbon alongside cost, quality and service. Leveraging the capabilities of established products offered by SupplyVue and CarbonChain, CarbonVue’s development has been supported by Business School supply chain experts led by Professor Jan Godsell and trialled with Moveero and Tata Steel UK.
Tata Steel UK’s partnership in the CarbonVue solution has also been nominated for the Data Transformation of the Year and Data for Good Initiative of the Year categories at the British Data Awards.
Rewire Fitness, a US-based start-up co-founded by Loughborough University tech entrepreneur Ed Gibbins (Sports Science), is nominated for Start-Up of the Year.
Rewire Fitness, a mental fitness platform, is supported through LUInc. – the University’s business incubator based at its Science and Enterprise Park, LUSEP. Its tools improve mindset, readiness and resilience – helping athletes reach their full potential and avoid burnout. With $1M+ pre-seed investment, its patented technology integrates protocols used by the Navy SEALs, NASA and neuroscience.
The British Data Awards are now in their third year and Loughborough University’s research and innovation portfolio has received three awards since 2021.
Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, said: “It’s excellent to see Loughborough University once again have such strong representation in the 2023 British Data Awards.
“The solutions Loughborough Business School and Rewire Fitness are pioneering with industry partners reflect the University’s commitment to tackling important societal challenges and reinforce our key strengths in sustainability and net zero and sport, health and wellbeing.”
Winners announced at an Awards ceremony this Thursday at The Honourable Artillery Company in Central London.
An independent East Midlands hospitality group has cemented its future in the region through the purchase of its flagship site in Lincoln, with support from Lloyds Bank.
Established in 2009, Ever So Sensible Restaurants now operates ten food-led hospitality venues across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire, all of which are currently trading well.
A £700,000 finance package from Lloyds Bank has enabled the group to purchase the freehold of one of its most popular venues, the Duke William Hotel – pub, restaurant, with a boutique style hotel, located in the centre of the historic Bailgate in Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter. The hotel has nine ensuite rooms and an adjacent cottage.
The purchase now means Ever So sensible will be able to consider enabling long term investment in the building and the opportunity to expand its accommodation options in the city through the purchase of nearby properties.
It marks the first freehold site purchased by the group and will act as a template for future acquisitions of its other leased buildings to help maximise the potential of all its sites. This, in combination with further planned acquisitions of new locations.
The group employs more than 200 staff across its venues, including around 30 at the Duke William. Already the holder of an Investors in People Gold Accreditation, the group plans to invest further in its team by enhancing its existing training and development programme, which includes butchery courses, brewery training and gin distilling. The Duke William also hopes to use its greater independence to offer permanent employment to some of its currently contracted staff, such as its cleaners.
Ever So Sensible is investing in sustainability. At the Duke William, it recently installed electric vehicle charging points in its car park. The venue also sources all its ingredients locally where possible, has switched to 100% renewable energy, and is working to reduce its food waste.
Chris Bulaitis, Managing Director at Ever So Sensible Restaurants, said: “When we first took over the Duke William Hotel six years ago, the building was semi-derelict. With Lloyds Bank’s support, we are now the proud owners of this beautiful historic building, which we have completely refurbished and transformed into a high-end local destination, serving fantastic food and employing some of the best people in the industry.
“With our ownership of the building now secured, we’re looking forward to a busy summer at the Duke William, as well as looking into opportunities to expand our footprint, both locally and through the acquisition of further venues in the East Midlands.”
Nick Flanagan, relationship director, SME banking at Lloyds Bank, said: “Despite the challenges currently facing the hospitality industry, Ever So Sensible Restaurants is a perfect example of a resilient local business which is prospering. Its focus on sourcing locally, operating sustainably, and investing in its staff has helped the Duke William to thrive in the face of rising costs and staffing shortages. This latest finance package will also further secure the businesses’ future.
“We have been by the side of the group since it was established, and we look forward to supporting them further as they grow.”
Former Gi Group Chief Operating Officer, Paul Smith has joined Aristotle Partnerships as Chief Executive Officer to direct and deliver strategy ahead of its flotation on The Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
Aristotle Partnerships is a workforce staffing solutions group formed in 2022 when recruitment entrepreneurs Nick Cragg, Craig Buckingham, Roger Frost joined together to create a business with a turnover in excess of £100m, comprising Nicholas Associates Group (NAG), Syntax and Red Rock Partnerships.
High profile brands within NAG include Stafforce, Ashley Kate HR & Finance, Nicholas Associates, The Apprentice Employment Agency, Olano, Erango, Mainboard and Cra-Cro Site Services.
Paul Smith is highly respected in the recruitment Industry and has over 24 years’ experience working across multi sectors for both global corporate and national independent agencies.
During this time, he has managed the integration strategy of several mergers and acquisitions, launched new brands, implemented process improvements and also delivered a number of recruitment outsourcing process (RPO) projects, including the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
As CEO, he will work alongside fellow members of the Aristotle Partnerships board and be responsible for all areas of the organisation. This will include building the culture and ensuring the sustainable profitability of the group, articulating and delivering the vision of growth to the management team and employees, and presenting the company to City institutions, investors, regulators, employees, customers, suppliers and external advisors.
Mr Smith said: “I am looking forward to leading the next phase of the journey for this incredible provider of apprentice to boardroom talent management solutions.
“To quote Aristotle ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ and it is my intention to build on the company’s success by creating more synergy across all brands, fostering a culture which maintains our entrepreneurial and creative environment, ensuring continuous improvement and encouraging every colleague to fulfil their potential.”
He continued: “I have been aware of the brands under Aristotle for many years and have come to respect them as being good, ethical and trustworthy businesses with a great reputation for excellent customer service and employee values.
“This impression was further enforced when I met other members of the board and listened to their clear vison for the business. Combined with the future potential of the brands I can see a very exciting future ahead.”
The brands within Aristotle Partnerships now boast a network of more than 33 offices and branches across the UK and the intention is to float on AIM in late 2023.
A Midlands-based insolvency lawyer has taken over as chair of the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3.
Stephen Rome, who is a director and practice leader at law firm Thursfields, will serve a two-year term at the regional helm and will be heading up campaigns to support local businesses and individuals in financial distress.
He will be working alongside R3 and the regional committee to highlight how R3 members are able to save hundreds of companies and thousands of jobs each year, many without the need for a formal insolvency process.
Stephen has been based in the Midlands for over 15 years and has a broad range of legal experience advising on commercial litigation and contentious insolvency, covering sectors such as energy, real estate, automotive and financial services.
Commenting on his appointment, Stephen said: “We are facing one of the toughest periods in living memory for many Midlands businesses, with huge post-pandemic challenges and economic turbulence impacting heavily on cashflow.
“As a leading professional body, we are strongly committed to supporting our members as well as campaigning for businesses and individuals in crisis, their creditors and other stakeholders, in order to maximise outcomes for all concerned.
“R3’s key message for the Midlands is that it is imperative for companies and individuals in financial difficulty to seek timely and qualified advice from a professional and reputable source. Quite simply, the earlier we become involved, particularly at a time like the present, the more we can do to help turn things around.”
Hundreds of thousands of small businesses are trapped in contracts that mean their latest bills are at last summer’s peak market rate for energy – even though wholesale prices have fallen since last winter, new research shows.
The Federation of Small Businesses is urging energy suppliers to allow small firms locked into fixed tariffs from last year to renegotiate contracts to better reflect the significantly lower wholesale energy prices we see today.
This comes a month after massive cuts to government support on energy bills for businesses. Since 1 April 2023, the Energy Bill Relief Scheme has been downgraded to the Energy Bills Discount Scheme, which changes support to pennies that do not touch the sides of huge bills.
The downscaled government support means small firms that signed up to fixed tariffs in 2022 will see their bills revert back to last year’s peak levels. This could be three or four times what they were paying when the more generous government support scheme was in place.
FSB’s latest research shows more than one in ten (13%) small firms fixed their energy bills between 1 July and 31 December 2022, during which businesses were quoted up to £1 per kWh for electricity. Of this group, 13% say they could be forced to either close, downsize, or radically restructure their businesses, equating to 93,000 small firms across the UK.
A significant proportion of small firms stuck in fixed contracts are from the accommodation and food sector (28%), and the wholesale and retail sector (20%).
Four in ten (42%) small firms that fixed energy contracts in the second half of last year say it has been impossible for them to pass on costs to consumers who had to tighten spending and can’t afford further price increases amid the cost of living crisis.
FSB is calling on energy suppliers to allow these small firms to extend their fixed contracts but at a blended and lower rate – between their original fixed rate and the current, lower wholesale rate.
The option to renegotiate fixed contracts should be made automatically available to businesses which:
negotiated the new energy contract between July 1 and December 31 2022
can confirm the level of wholesale price on the contract is above the EBRS wholesale price cap
can confirm the end date of the contract to demonstrate the length of exposure to higher prices from April 2023 onwards
FSB policy chair Tina McKenzie said: “Having come out from a tough winter, this Spring is supposed to be the beginning of economic recovery, but tens of thousands are still very much in survival mode because they are tied-in to sky-high energy contracts.
“Many small businesses agreed to lock in energy contracts last year to ensure they qualified for the maximum level of Government support. Now, with that support largely disappearing, they are once again faced with massive energy bill hikes as rates go back to pre-Energy Bill Relief Scheme level.
“If ending the successful support scheme is on the basis that wholesale energy prices have gone down, then our research sheds light on just how many small businesses have been overlooked as they are entangled in high fixed tariffs.
“It’s disheartening to see a significant proportion of small firms could be forced to close, downsize or radically restructure their businesses just when we look to grow our economy. Our community shrank by 500,000 small businesses over the two years of COVID; we shouldn’t now be adding any more to that gruesome tally.
“The least energy suppliers should do is to allow small businesses who signed up to fixed tariffs last year to ‘blend and extend’ their energy contracts, so that their bills are closer to current market rates. We’d also like to see the Government and Ofgem support this initiative.
“There are signs that small businesses may be about to turn a corner after last year’s downturn. Giving small firms a way out of last year’s market peak rates will accelerate the progress to recovery.”
Nottingham infrastructure company McCann has strengthened its internal lighting design function with the creation of a specialist lighting design office in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
It comes alongside the hire of new lighting designer, Rachel O’Connell.
Rachel began her street lighting career in 2007 after securing a role with SSE – before gaining the necessary qualifications to become a qualified lighting designer while working across a range of PFI contracts for the national energy provider.
Following 15 years with the business, Rachel recently saw the opportunity to join McCann as a lighting designer and work alongside the company’s design and technical manager Michael Walker.
“McCann has always been seen as a great name within the industry, so to have the opportunity to join the business is not something you can easily pass up,” said Rachel.
“McCann is renowned for continually investing in its people, and the business has committed to continuing my professional development by supporting me with attaining Engineering Council Status – something I’m truly grateful for. I’m really excited about this next chapter and to be working with such a passionate, innovative and customer-focused team.”
Michael Walker is delighted to be welcoming Rachel to the team, and with the addition of the new office in Bradford he can only see this specialist business function going from strength to strength in the future: “The need for our services is always increasing, so as a business we must continue to invest in order to deliver the right solution each and every time,” said Michael.
“Rachel is a fantastic designer. Her knowledge is unrivalled and together I know we will make a strong team with the ability to deliver solutions that exceed customer expectations, while solving complex problems.
“At the same time, our new Bradford office is perfect, with good strategic road and rail connections to locations across the UK – making it easy for us to meet with clients in order to discuss their projects and understand their needs.”
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