Smaller firms responsible for half of all UK greenhouse gas emissions from businesses
The British Business Bank has revealed that, based on its estimates, smaller businesses account for almost a third (30%) of all current UK greenhouse gas emissions (including emissions from households, industry and government) and around half (50%) of total emissions from UK businesses.
Its latest research report, Smaller businesses and the transition to net zero, highlights the potential collective influence of UK smaller businesses and the considerable contribution they could make to wider net zero objectives if they all made changes to reduce their carbon footprint.
The report, one of the most in-depth so far in this under-explored part of the market, incorporates results from fresh data via a bespoke, nationally representative survey of 1,200 smaller businesses, and analysis of public data sources.
Over three in four businesses (76%) are yet to implement comprehensive decarbonisation strategies, capabilities and actions, according to Bank estimates. One example of this is that just 3% of smaller businesses surveyed say they have measured their carbon footprint in the past five years and subsequently set an emissions reduction target.
The early stages of transition
There is limited proactivity from businesses to improve their own knowledge and capability, for example, with more than half (56%) in the survey saying they have taken no actions to change this.
However, when asked about physical actions, it is encouraging to see that the vast majority (94%) say they have taken at least one action to reduce their emissions, though they tended to be low-effort ones, such as installing a smart meter.
Overall, the most common motive for taking action, mentioned by just over half (51%) of businesses, was that it ‘made financial sense’, speaking to the need to align net zero and financial objectives for businesses in the transition.
The data reveals around half (52%) of smaller UK businesses fall within the ‘Carbon Complacent’ or ‘Carbon Exposed’ personas established by the Bank based on business characteristics, emissions intensity, actions and attitudes. Businesses falling under these personas are reactive or simply disengaged in their attitudes to cutting emissions and have ‘low carbon transition maturity’.
Awareness is mixed and attitudes split
More than half (57%) of smaller businesses have heard a lot, or a fair amount, about the government’s commitment to reach ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050, and the implications of climate change for their businesses (56%), establishing a strong base for further transition.
However, while nearly half (47%) of smaller businesses state reducing carbon emissions or environmental impacts is a high or very high priority over the next two years, 53% indicate they are not yet ready to prioritise decarbonisation. This split in attitudes demonstrates the need to raise awareness, balance the knowledge gap and ultimately help facilitate change.
Barriers are multiple, complex and business specific
The research found that smaller businesses identified more than twenty barriers preventing action on net zero, demonstrating the complexity in addressing the issues on a wide scale and the need for tailored approaches.
Some common themes have emerged, however – more than a third (35%) of smaller businesses cited costs as a barrier for reducing carbon emissions, particularly upfront capital costs (21%), followed by feasibility (32%), such as lack of control due to tenancy agreements or lack of an appropriate technology. Over one in ten (12%) said that lack of information was preventing them from action.
Finance as an enabler to net zero transition
So far, 11% of the smaller business population – equating to around 700,000 businesses in the UK – have accessed external finance, in the form of loans or equity, to support net zero actions. Looking forward, 22% of the UK smaller business population (equivalent to around 1.3 million businesses) – say they are prepared to access external finance to support net zero actions in the next five years.
Catherine Lewis La Torre, CEO, British Business Bank, said: “Smaller businesses will generally have lower individual carbon footprints than their larger counterparts, but by broadening their vision and committing to action they can collectively produce a significant overall impact.
“Action to mitigate the impacts of climate change is at tipping point, and it is crucial for smaller business owners to feel empowered, informed and supported in making the relevant steps to decarbonising their business if the UK is going to meet its wider net zero objectives by 2050.
“More than half of smaller businesses say they’re not ready to prioritise decarbonisation, so clearly more needs to be done.
“The Bank continues to strive to bridge the knowledge gap and work with its partners to improve smaller businesses’ access to the right finance to help them transition to net zero. We hope this report encourages business owners to review their business model, consider where changes can be made and to make the necessary investments to secure a sustainable future for their businesses.”
East Midlands commercial vehicle company secures £7.5m for fleet expansion
An East Midlands commercial vehicle rental company has secured a £7.5m asset finance loan from HSBC UK to help purchase a new fleet of 200 trucks, as demand for vehicles in the supply chain soars. The investment will create 20 full-time jobs across the East Midlands.
With operating depots in Leicester, Loughborough and Nottingham, Alltruck provides contract hire and rental vehicle services to over 250 SMEs across the UK. The company has used the funding to increase its fleet of commercial vehicles – which ranges from 3.5 tonne vans to 44 tonne tractor units – from 2,000 to 2,200 to help meet an increase in demand from its customers.
As part of the company’s ‘Journey to Zero’ initiative, the new investment includes 10 fully-electric vans which will enable Alltruck and its customers to become more eco-friendly. As well as creating 20 new jobs, the company hopes its expanded vehicle capacity will increase annual turnover by 10 per cent.
Paul Robinson, Managing Director of Alltruck, said: “We pride ourselves on having the trucks our customers need, when they need it – and it’s crucial we continue to support customers during this period of sustained pressure facing UK supply chains.”
Simon Woods, relationship director East Midlands corporate banking, HSBC UK, said: “This deal gives Alltruck the funding to realise its own growth ambitions, which include becoming more eco-friendly as well as playing an important role in boosting supply chain capacity. We were pleased to support Paul and the team and look forward to working with them closely as they continue to grow the business.”
Capital One submits plans for roof terrace at Nottingham HQ
Plans from Capital One to convert the existing flat roof areas of its HQ at Trent House, on Station Street, have been submitted to Nottingham City Council.
The credit card provider wants to create a new roof terrace space for employees as it looks to “introduce high quality external areas to supplement the internal spaces, bringing the benefits of wellbeing associated with landscaping and the outdoors,” according to a design statement.
A green wall would also be incorporated and the firm is looking to complete remodelling internally to provide conference space.
The project aims to provide:
• New open air hospitality/events areas on existing rooftop areas
• Covered events terrace area at main roof level, with extension of terrace areas to high-level plant deck roof
• Maximisation of green walls and planting
• Provision of new vertical access through the existing building, via new stair and platform lift from Level 02 accommodation
• A dedicated conference suite at the existing Level 02 Mezzanine level, with improved
vertical access
Business insolvencies at highest level since January 2020
The economic effects of the pandemic continue to impact heavily on local businesses as latest Government insolvency statistics highlight an increase in corporate insolvencies to their highest level since January 2020.
Monthly research by the Insolvency Service shows that the number of insolvent businesses in England and Wales increased by 7.2% in September to a total of 1,446, which is 55.8% higher than September 2020’s figure of 928 and approaching the pre-pandemic statistic of 1,515 for January of last year.
According to the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring body R3, the dramatic increase in corporate insolvencies compared to this time last year illustrates just how crucial the Government’s support has been in keeping businesses afloat and suggests that there may be a rocky road ahead for many now it has ended.
R3 Midlands Chair Eddie Williams, a partner at PwC in the East Midlands, said: “The monthly rise in corporate insolvencies was driven by Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations, which have increased for the third consecutive month. Directors may be closing their businesses after deeming financial survival unlikely after 18 months of struggling through a pandemic.
“Despite the fact that businesses have benefitted from two months of restriction-free trading and the economic boost over the summer, conditions are still not back to where they were before Covid-19.
“Consumers are now more cautious about the state of the economy and the growing cost of living and are more wary about spending their money. With widespread supply chain disruption and significant wholesale energy price increases building up between September and October, there is likely to be little slack for vulnerable businesses.
“For those companies continuing to struggle, the sooner advice is sought from a qualified and reputable source, the more potential there is for a solution.”
Record growth continues at Boyds with expansion for Product Development team
Leading pharmaceutical and biotech product development consultancy Boyds has added two experienced product development experts to its team, amid growing demand for its specialist Product Development services from biotech and spinout businesses in the UK, Europe and the US.
Diane Shattock Ph.D., joins as Director of Product Development and Ian Hollingsworth M.Sc., as Associate Director of Product Development. Both are working alongside Boyds’ Vice President of Product Development, Nick Meyers Ph.D.
The hires are central to Boyds’ planned expansion of the Product Development team and its clear strategy of expansion into the US, specifically of its programme management and product development support to US-based clients via its expertise, support and guidance throughout the life-cycle of medicine development activities, from early-stage discovery to commercialisation.
Diane and Ian are the latest of 18 new starters since March, when Boyds embarked upon its current expansion. The consultancy has created the new roles to further enhance its expertise and also expand the business, in response to a 25% surge in turnover and sustained growth in demand for its services across the UK, Europe and the US.
The Product Development team works collaboratively with Boyds’ in-house regulatory affairs, clinical operations and medical teams to support clients from the earliest stages of drug development, through clinical trials towards product approval and launch, working closely with regulators in the UK, European and US.
With over 19 years’ experience in clinical drug development, Dr. Shattock is a Project Management Professional (PMP)-qualified programme director and before joining Boyds, was Project Lead at Freeline for its lead gene therapy programme in Fabry Disease, and Project Manager on its Haemophilia B programme.
Diane has a wealth of programme management experience from her work across many therapeutic areas and all phases of drug development, including as Global Project Manager at Takeda and leading a collaborative Phase I-stage programme for an antibody therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis for Eisai and Morphotek.
Ian Hollingsworth is PMP qualified, and has over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. His career began as a research chemist at AstraZeneca before his move into project managing early-stage programmes. Ian has managed projects in production facilities as well as transnational drug development programmes, and most recently the UK initiative to establish Advanced Therapy Treatment Centres (ATTC) across the NHS.
Following their appointments, Boyds’ Nick Meyers said: “I am delighted that Diane and Ian have joined the group. As well as their scientific expertise, they bring a wealth of development and programme management experience from previous R&D roles across the sector, and importantly, provide us with a significantly increased capacity to support our clients and their programmes.”
Professor Alan Boyd, who founded the consultancy in 2005, adds: “Boyds is committed to supporting the development of medicines for patient benefit.
“The number of companies approaching us for support and guidance with taking their idea through the discovery and development pathway, has grown again this year, and in particular there has been significant surge in the number of biotech’s and spinouts seeking our expertise. Not only do we have the experts to deliver the relevant support and guidance to companies that don’t have the expertise or resource in-house with which to take their idea through the pathway from discovery to commercialisation, but we may also be able to help save them time and money, particularly when involved from an early stage.”
Last month (September) Boyds opened a US office in Pennsylvania, which is headed by Katy Rudnick, Vice President and Head of US Regulatory Affairs.
Since Boyds was established, the company has worked with companies across the globe to help them translate their ideas into medicines for the benefit of patients. The company’s global reputation for its work in advanced therapies has led to a steady increase in the number of companies approaching Boyds for this expertise, with over 60% of the company’s client base now in the US.
Newly published business book supports Uganda charity
Nottinghamshire businesswoman Louise Third is using the publication of her new book ‘PR ON A BEERMAT’ to support a charity working in the Teso region of northeast Uganda. She will donate £1 of every book sold to give assistance to the Teso Development Trust (TDT) in its relief and development activities.
PR ON A BEERMAT is a guide to public relations aimed at freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owner-managers of growing businesses.
The author draws from over 30 years as a business adviser and PR consultant. “I decided it was time to capture in print the advice I share through my mentoring and online workshops,” she says. “Everyone can do PR. It’s simple once you understand the basics, but it must be done well.”
Louise has worked closely with Mike Southon and Chris West, authors of The Beermat Entrepreneur (Pearson 2018). Chris comments: “Louise’s book is the perfect lesson plan for every small outfit seeking to get heard amid all the noise out there. It should be part of the desk-top clutter of any office; pick it up, scribble in the margins, have a go.”
Central to the book are the stories of smaller firms who use publicity to get noticed. Firms such as TEA REX teas, outdoor clothing company Alpkit, Tuneless Choir, retailer The Bottle Top and Lindhurst Engineering. Journalists from The Daily Express, The Times, the Daily Mail, and city paper Nottingham Post guide the reader about how to work with the media.
Given the increasing importance of online publicity, Louise drew on the expertise of the multi-award-winning digital marketing company, Hallam.
Tom Bestwick, Hallam’s Content Marketing & PR Consultant, says: “PR has changed significantly over the last few years and its importance to organic growth and visibility on search engines, like Google, has only increased. There’s a big opportunity right now for savvy small businesses and entrepreneurs when it comes to standing out digitally. I can’t thank Louise enough for giving me the opportunity to support her with the writing of PR ON A BEERMAT. I hope our readers will take some fundamental golden PR-shaped nuggets away that will help them, their business or venture, thrive online.”
Louise adds: “We have created a new website www.pronabeermat.co.uk to gather stories, comments and ideas from readers who are experimenting with PR. I want to hear from anyone whose experience we can share, or who might like to be interviewed for our podcasts. Seeing the lessons from the book come to life through thriving small businesses will make all our work worthwhile.”
Chris West will host an online webinar between 6 pm – 7 pm on Wednesday 10th November with Louise and guests who appear in the book. They will chat about how they have used PR in their companies and will answer audience questions.
Robinson wins ‘Best Custom Packaging Solutions Provider’ at Midlands Enterprise Awards
Robinson – the manufacturer specialising in value-added custom packaging – has been named ‘Best Custom Packaging Solutions Provider’ at the 2021 Midlands Enterprise Awards.
Now running for four consecutive years, the Midlands Enterprise programme is created to acknowledge and award those SMEs of all different sizes covering a range of businesses and industries that are based within the Midlands. The region is often described as the beating heart of the British industry and is a strong force in opening new avenues and business opportunities to most SMEs.
Dr Helene Roberts, CEO at Robinson, says: “We are thrilled to be named Best Custom Packaging Solutions Provider. With nearly 200 years within the industry, we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise to provide our customers with customised solutions that meet their packaging needs.
Roberts continues: “Being an independent business, it gives us the advantage of being highly adaptive and flexible, our in-house team can help develop sustainable packaging formats, introduce innovative features and designs, or refine functionality, to make sure our customers meet their goals.”
The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.
Awards Coordinator Dean Taylor commented: “I am incredibly proud of all of the winners this year and would like to congratulate them on achieving so much. It has been a pleasure managing this programme and I wish all the winners the best of luck for their future endeavours!”
Silverstone’s Carbon Component Solutions acquires plastic manufacturer
Carbon Component Solutions, a composite component manufacturer situated in Silverstone, has acquired Arnold Engineering Plastics.
Arnold Engineering Plastics, a well-established manufacturing business based in Northampton, was previously owner managed by the Larkins family, who shared a long-standing relationship with Carbon Component Solutions.
The firm has specialised in plastic manufacturing for 50 years and the acquisition has enabled Carbon Component Solutions to expand the manufacturing services and goods available to its clients.
Co-owner and director of Carbon Component Solutions, Bryn Noon, said: “Purchasing Arnold Engineering Plastics is an exciting opportunity to expand our business and manufacturing capabilities. We have had a strong relationship with AEP for some time and we’re now excited to work alongside Peter Larkins to integrate the two businesses together into Carbon Component Solutions’ wider services.”
Co-owner and director of Carbon Component Solutions, Scott Noon, said: “We are looking forward to being able to provide our clients and customers with a greater range of services which was one of the driving forces for us doing this transaction. We couldn’t have done the deal without our team of advisors, Howes Percival and CED Accountancy Services, who provided clear guidance throughout and their combined project management got the deal over the line.”
Howes Percival’s team comprised Matt Thompson and Matt Mayes (Corporate), Graham Irons and Sobia Ahmad (Employment), Rob Starr (Regulatory) and Owen Franks (Commercial Property).
Duo of tools and building materials businesses open at new £30m mixed-use development
Two UK-wide tools and building materials businesses have opened their doors at a new £30 million mixed-use development in Nottingham.
Tool Station started trading earlier this month at Teal Park off the Colwick Loop Road in Netherfield. They have been joined this weekend by Screwfix.
Howdens is due to start the fitting out of its 6,000 sq ft premises towards the end of this month.
This activity marks the completion of the 33,300 sq ft trade park and a 28,860 sq ft industrial unit sold to Storage Giant which has been jointly developed by Warwickshire-based AC Lloyd Commercial and Nottingham-based based Henry Davidson Developments (HDD).
The multi-million-pound development will also include another six trade units and six large employment units totalling 111,000 sq ft, a care home, a new Local Centre with four retail shops, a children’s day nursery and a pub as well as an Aldi supermarket when it is completed.
Mark Edwards, Managing Director at AC Lloyd Commercial, said this was the first time he had visited Teal Park since the first national lockdown in March 2020.
“It was fantastic to see all the work that has been done over the last 19 months in person – and the difference to my last visit is staggering,” he said.
“There was a hive of activity with customers already visiting Tool Station and Screwfix and I’m sure there will be an equally positive response when Howdens and Storage Giant open.
“Looking at photos of the trade park doesn’t do it justice and we are really pleased with the completion of the first phase of the development.”
Richard Croft, director at HDD, added: “This is the first branch of Tool Station in this part of Nottingham and the steady flow of customers shows that Tool Station and Screwfix are already proving popular.
“The opening of these two units will be part of an overall job creation figure of 340 full-time equivalent posts when Teal Park is finished which is good news for local job-seekers and the local economy.”
Derbyshire Dales District Council to further support recovery of small businesses with grants
To support the continued recovery of the local economy, Derbyshire Dales District Council proposes to utilise its remaining COVID Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) allocation to help small and micro-businesses to adapt, diversify and improve resilience post COVID.
Priority will be given to businesses operating from business premises and employing staff in order to assist longer term economic recovery. Applications from businesses with growth plans curtailed as a result of COVID restrictions will also be considered.
Applicants should show that investment will contribute to one or more of the following: increase turnover, enhance productivity, enable diversification/expansion into different products or services, improve efficiency or safeguard/create new jobs.
Businesses in manufacturing, engineering and knowledge based/creative and digital sectors are particularly encouraged to apply.
Grant support at 50% of eligible project costs up to a maximum of £20,000 will be considered for projects costing more than £10,000 and up to £40,000 (excluding recoverable VAT).
Larger projects may be considered in exceptional cases. Eligible costs include: new equipment, machinery or technology; specialist consultancy; or expenditure to reduce the carbon footprint of the business.
Applicants must be able to complete their investment and claim the grant by 28 February 2022 latest.
Three quotes are required for items of expenditure over £1,000. These must be submitted online as part of the application.
Applications are to be submitted online before 5pm on 15 November 2021.
Carlton Forest 3PL acquires 100,000 sq ft site in Nottinghamshire
Carlton Forest 3PL has added a further 100,000 sq ft site to its growing portfolio, it’s fourth building acquisition in just eight months.
The warehouse, located at Tuxford, Nottinghamshire, close to the A1, is facilitating stock storage, management, and fulfilment for two significant retailers to support them with their strategic long-term supply chain management.
“We continue to seek opportunities to grow our customer base and the reputation that we have secured for our high levels of customer service are paying dividends as businesses seek partnership agreements with us,” said Adam Jones, Managing Director, Carlton Forest 3PL.
“This latest acquisition highlights our ability to create tailor made solutions in strategic locations that suit our customer requirements and allows us to integrate the site into our business operations with ease.”The site is now fully operational and has secured the employment of ten staff from the local community after the previous company operating from the building went into administration. The companies’ entire portfolio of warehouse space now exceeds 1.3m sq ft.
Adam concluded: “This latest acquisition joins our sites at Worksop, Hellaby and Bawtry Park and gives us great flexibility in offering support to business who are either based in the region or who are seeking a distribution hub in the area. 2022 already looks exciting for us with further expansion planned and warehouse acquisitions already in the pipeline.”
Record month for Nottingham property developer
Hockley Developments, the Nottingham-based supported living and residential property developer, has exchanged on £5m of forward sales in the month of October.
Announcing the record month, head of construction, Paul Kennedy, confirmed demand continued to be higher than the business could supply.
“With one of our repeat buyers exchanging on the full development at The Phoenix development, a 26 apartment new build development in Nottingham, and further exchanges at our site at Westbridge House, this highlights the confidence in the value, finish and specification that our buyers have.
“With us expecting a similar amount of sales to be agreed in November across two new developments in Sherwood and St Anns in Nottingham, we are now focusing on securing further sites to develop in 2022.
“We also expect to expand our supported living developments across the East Midlands next year with sites being identified in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire.”
More than half of UK private equity firms have made investment strategies more ESG focused
More than half of UK private equity firms have made their investment strategies more ESG focused, despite COVID-19 threatening to halt progress as firms rallied to support portfolio companies throughout pandemic uncertainty.
According to accountancy and business advisory firm BDO, which studied the environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies of 100 private equity (PE) houses with UK operations, PE firms are increasingly having to prove to investors that they take ESG issues seriously.
While the majority have started to make their investment portfolios more responsible from an ESG perspective, progress stalled slightly during COVID-19 as PE houses focused their attention on supporting portfolio companies through the worst of the pandemic.
- In 2021, 57% of UK PE firms clearly set out the changes they have implemented to make their investments more ESG focused.
- 55% of UK PE firms now adhere to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI), the world’s most-recognised set of ESG principles. This is up from 49% in 2020.
- 48% of UK PE firms now report in detail on the ESG impact of their investments – unchanged from the previous year.
- 29% of UK PE firms now have a dedicated individual or team responsible for embedding ESG into the investment process – up from 25% in 2020.
Thousands of young people across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to benefit from Careers Hub expansion
Over 92,000 young people across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will benefit from new support to prepare them for the world of work.
The local Careers Hub, run by the national body for careers education, The Careers & Enterprise Company in partnership with the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), is expanding to support 118 more schools across the region.
Operating since 2019, the Careers Hub will now support a total of 150 secondary schools and colleges in the region and their 118,000 students. The Hub brings together school staff, particularly those who lead on careers education, and provides them with additional support, resources and training for their schools to deliver “modern, 21st century careers education for every child, no matter their background or circumstance.”
The Careers Hub also links the region’s schools with employers, Further Education colleges and apprenticeship and in-work training providers, to make sure young people in the region know about the options available to them after they leave education, and the different jobs open to them.
Research carried out by The Careers & Enterprise Company shows that schools and colleges that are part of a Careers Hub deliver more support to students, have stronger links with local employers, offer more work experience opportunities and develop innovative ways of linking the curriculum with different jobs a student could go on to do.
Over the next year, the D2N2 Careers Hubs will work with member schools to ensure each has a fit for purpose strategic careers plan while delivering a range of experience events and programmes for young people to access, made possible by the backing of supporting employers.
Will Morlidge, Interim Chief Executive at D2N2 LEP, said: “This exciting initiative couldn’t be better timed. Bringing the worlds of work and education together is a vital part of our strategy to lead a green recovery from the impact of Covid-19.
“Our four Careers Hubs will play a key role in inspiring our future workforce about the amazing opportunities that lie ahead for them across the D2N2 area. It’s no secret that our young people have been disproportionally affected by the effects of Covid-19, so this is a real opportunity to level the playing field.
“It has been a real collaborative effort to bring these Careers Hubs to our region and we look forward to working with all our partners as we look to transform the careers landscape across the D2N2 area.”
Oli de Botton, the Chief Executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, the national body for careers education in England, said: “Modern, 21st century careers education for every child, no matter their background or circumstance couldn’t be more important.
“Over the last few years schools and colleges across the country have been improving careers education, and helping more and more of their young people to take their best next step out of education and into the wider world.
“Careers Hubs have played an incredibly important role in making this happen. They are helping businesses, schools, apprenticeship providers and colleges to collaborate and work together as effectively as possible.
“I want to say a huge congratulations to the team in in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Derby for making this happen, and for expanding their Careers Hub so it helps to improve the lives of many more young people in the area.”
Minister for Skills, Alex Burghart, said: “Careers Hubs ensure young people can see and know about the huge range of different jobs and career pathways on offer, and make decisions that work best for them and their futures.
“Good careers education is such a valuable asset, so it’s fantastic to see that the Careers Hub in Nottingham, Derby, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire is expanding, extending the support to make sure more young people have the information they need to make the most of their talents.”
Mansfield District Council Chief Executive resigns
The Chief Executive of Mansfield District Council has announced she is stepping down from the role in the new year.
Hayley Barsby, who has worked at the council for nearly 22 years, is leaving on 9 January to spend more time with her family.
From starting her working life as an industrial engineer at Mansfield Shoe Group, Hayley moved to the council in 1999 starting as a clerical assistant.
Over the next two decades, she progressed through the ranks to Head of Housing and Director of Communities. She became the Interim Chief Executive in May 2017 before being appointed to the role on a permanent basis in January 2018.
Hayley has led the organisation through some of its most difficult years to date. She took over at a time when the council needed to make significant financial savings as a result of cuts in Government grants. COVID-19 has been a major focus for much of the last two years with the council’s main priorities during the height of the pandemic being on maintaining vital services and supporting the district’s most vulnerable residents.
A married mother of two children with disabilities, Hayley was born and went to school in Mansfield Woodhouse. She lives just outside Mansfield but considers it to be her home town.
She said: “I love Mansfield – both the people and the place and I hope I have made a difference. I will be sad to leave the organisation but I feel the time is right for someone else to take Mansfield to the next level.
“I have dedicated 22 years to Mansfield and the past few years have been challenging, particularly since the start of the pandemic. During my time as Chief Executive I have lost both my parents. My Dad passed away in April and I am still feeling the after-effects of having COVID-19 in the summer.
“Over the years I have made sacrifices for the job, and rightly so, but these life-changing events have made me reassess and I’m now making a conscious decision to put my family first.”
Speaking about her proudest achievements, Hayley said: “I’m most proud of the work we have done with Nottingham Trent University to bring students to Mansfield. It’s early days but I’m proud of the opportunities this is creating for local people to enter employment in some of our anchor institutions such as at Sherwood Forest Hospitals’ Trust.
“I’ve invested a lot of time into understanding the needs of our communities and working closely with partners, particularly around prevention rather than intervention. I’m proud of how we responded to COVID-19 and how we have provided our local communities with hope and support when they needed it, for example, through our food clubs and cultural services outreach work.
“I’m immensely proud of how we built our housing schemes at Poppy Fields and Town View to help meet the needs of over-55s and those who need extra support and care. In 2010, during my time as the Head of Housing, the council built its first new council homes for 30 years. Even then, climate change was at the forefront of our minds and the 43 energy efficient homes on the Bellamy Road estate have either ground source heat pumps or solar panels and water harvesting.
“With the Government funding we’ve secured and the publication of the Local Plan and draft town centre masterplan, we have an ambitious vision for how the town centre and wider district could be transformed in the coming years. I’ve created the right foundations for Mansfield and this is an exciting time for someone to take over and see these major projects through to fruition. I’ll be rallying behind Mansfield all the way.”
Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “Having worked her way up from the bottom to the top, which is inspiring in itself, Hayley has been the font of all knowledge leading Team Mansfield.
“She has been a rock throughout the pandemic, forward-thinking, anticipating problems and ensuring everything is in place to keep our residents and her staff safe, and local businesses protected where possible.
“I will miss her sound and reliable advice and guidance but she has assembled a fantastic team that I have every confidence in to deliver our ambitious plans for the district. The new Chief Executive will be well placed to pick up the torch and carry on the great foundation Hayley has left and lead our residents to a brighter future.”
No decisions have been made on interim arrangements or the recruitment process.
Business Gateway provides SUBStantial support for start-ups interrupted by COVID
Good news for any Leicestershire business that started in 2018 or after, and had to stop trading due to COVID; a huge programme of no-cost business support has been funded by the Business Gateway to help get these businesses back on their feet and growing.
SUBS or Start-Up Business Support will provide training, mentoring, peer networks and digital workshops to over 150 businesses in Leicestershire.
Simon Weaver, senior project manager at the LLEP, said: “This programme is open to any business less than 36 months old, from any sector, based in Leicester or Leicestershire. The only other eligibility criterion is that you must be registered as a business with HMRC or Companies House. It is likely you will be a micro-business or small to medium enterprise.”
Four companies have won the contract to deliver the support programmes. NBV’s Beryl Pettit will be delivering the three-week programme ‘Gearing for Growth’. Stuart Hartley and his company Incrementa will deliver a six-week programme including mentoring, weekly workshops and 1-2-1 support. Sam Larke will lead the Leicester Start-Ups CIC programme to help solve the most critical business challenges. Finally, Ben Mainwaring and his team from So Very Creative will deliver SMARTUP, a digital marketing accelerator.
Mr Mainwaring said: “We’re very much looking forward to supporting Leicester businesses who had to stop trading because of COVID. We’re aiming to deliver really practical sessions that they can use to grow their businesses and leave COVID in the past.”
Simon Weaver concluded: “We’re advising any business that wants to take up this offer to speak to one of our Business Advisers first. There is quite a range of support packages and a Business Adviser can help you decide which one is right for you. Just call the Business Gateway on 0116 366 8487 or there’s more information on our website: https://bit.ly/2YX18zg.”
M-EC welcomes five new staff members
M-EC, the development technical consultants, has recruited five new members of staff.
The company is experiencing strong demand for its services as the construction industry and the economy continues to pick up following the pandemic. The new appointments, which will all be based at the firm’s Leicestershire head office, will enable M-EC to further meet client demand.
Joining the firm are:
Zoe Jordan: assistant flood risk engineer
Simran Matharu: assistant transport planner
Isobel Jones-Walters: land surveyor
Natasha Kearl: geo environmental engineer
Adam Walker: acoustic consultant
As part of M-EC’s commitment to developing a diverse workplace and training and developing its own staff, two of the new appointments, Zoe Jordan and Simran Matharu are recent graduates and four are women, which is unusual in a traditionally male dominated sector.
Zoe and Simran are taking their first steps in the engineering industry after leaving university. Isobel Jones-Walters, Natasha Kearl and Adam Walker join M-EC with a wealth of engineering experience so can hit the ground running and immediately get started on client projects.
Alex Bennett, director of M-EC, says: “We are extremely pleased to be expanding our team with these five new appointments. Each individual is bringing a specific set of expertise to the company and I am looking forward to seeing them grow within M-EC and positively impact our client base.
“It’s great to see increased interest in careers in engineering and development consultancy from women. It’s certainly a growing trend across the country and I know more women joining the industry will bring huge benefits, both to individual firms and the sector as a whole. M-EC is proud to support a diverse workforce as an equal opportunities employer.”
APPEX programme to help Advanced Manufacturers reach new heights
The Business Gateway is demonstrating its support for Leicestershire’s key sectors by creating a programme for innovative Advanced Manufacturing companies.
Called APPEX, the course will help participating companies achieve Advanced Manufacturing Product and Process Excellence to help boost turnover.
The programme is worth at least £5,000 but will be free of charge to the ten businesses that qualify to take part.
APPEX helps businesses get a detailed understanding of their business capabilities, leadership team priorities and how to select, plan and execute a focussed improvement project with external support. It also gives them the chance to see and learn best practices from other non-competing Advanced Manufacturers on the programme.
APPEX is available to manufacturers in several growing and innovative sectors including aerospace, pharmaceuticals, medical, transportation, construction equipment, low carbon, and power generation among others.
To qualify to take part, companies need to have been trading for more than three years, have more than 50 employees, have an annual turnover of more than £4m and have a functional leadership team structure. They should also be manufacturing a product that is new to market or using innovative manufacturing processes.
Dr Chris Owen, MD of Owen & Partners Ltd, who will be delivering the programme, said: “We’ve put together a really practical programme of support for Leicestershire’s Advanced Manufacturers.
“Companies will learn how to select and drive focussed improvement projects to boost their competitive positioning and productivity and win more orders. As part of the very first cohort of its kind, participating leaders will also become pioneers in building a community of innovative advanced manufacturing leaders to further boost the sector in Leicestershire.”
Rachel York, Business Gateway manager, added: “We’re delighted to be able to offer such high-quality support to Leicestershire’s Advanced Manufacturing sector, particularly the companies who are embracing innovation because that’s an essential element for growth. Hopefully the companies that participate will spread the word across the sector and we will see more companies taking up our offer.”
Any company that meets the criteria should contact a Business Adviser on 0116 366 8487 to discuss applying for the programme.
Plans revealed for new business park in Leicestershire
Brackley Property Developments (BPD) has revealed plans to develop a new business park in Leicestershire.
The commercial developer has submitted a reserved matters application to Harborough District Council for the first phase of development at Elm Business Park in Broughton Astley.
The scheme proposes the development of industrial and warehouse units ranging in size from approximately 8,000 – 50,000 sq ft on a 17-acre site adjacent to Broughton Astley Golf Complex.
Units will be available on a design and build basis, which will provide occupiers with the opportunity to tailor the size and specification to their requirements. The largest building which can be accommodated is c.120,000 sq ft, subject to layout.
Elm Business Park lies on a prominent site off the B4114 Coventry Road, within six miles of the M1/M69 interchange. Outline planning consent was granted in December 2020 for a mix of uses including industrial, office, retail and leisure.
Stephen Pedrick-Moyle, Managing Director of BPD, said: “We are expecting planning approval for phase one towards the end of the year but we are already engaging with occupiers to discuss potential requirements for the site. This is with a view to starting construction during the first quarter of 2022.”
Approval for 275-bed student scheme at Argos site
Plans for a new student accommodation scheme and commercial space at Lombard House in Nottingham have been approved by the city council.
The site, at 37-41 Lower Parliament Street, is currently occupied by Argos.
Bmor Ltd are behind the 275-bed student accommodation development which would provide a mix of clusters and studios, including 23 studios which are included in the existing Argos building.
The proposals involve the demolition of the warehouse section of the Argos for a new development. The scheme would be up to 10 storeys.
