Armsons Barlow celebrates its 50th anniversary
Leading Derby-based project managers, construction cost consultants and building surveyors Armsons Barlow have celebrated a milestone 50 years in business. More than 100 staff, clients, associates and friends marked the occasion with an evening reception at the Derby Museum of Making. Armsons was established by Michael Armson in 1972 to offer specialist quantity surveying expertise to private and public sector clients across the region.
Over the past five decades, the business has expanded its service offering considerably and now delivers a range of core services, including project management, construction cost management and building surveying, across a broad spectrum of sectors – including commercial, industrial, civil engineering, residential, healthcare, retail, sports and leisure, education and heritage.
At the end of 2021, Armsons joined forces with chartered quantity surveyors and building surveyors Barlow & Associates to create Armsons Barlow and relocated from their long-standing home on Brick Row in Darley Abbey to Vernon Street in Derby.
The new combined business provides an expanded, multi-disciplinary operation which encompasses all major building and surveying sectors.
At the event, presentations were made to Michael Armson in recognition of his 50 years in business and to Stephen Fernie, who is celebrating 25 years with the firm.
Commenting on the 50th anniversary celebrations, Sally Walters, director of Armsons Barlow, said:
“Over the past 50 years, we have seen many changes within the sector. Due to the hard work of Michael and former directors, we have been able to develop the practice and become the firm we are today.
“Joining forces with Barlow Associates at the end of 2021 was a great opportunity for both businesses to come together and share our expertise, resources and clients and continue to grow our team.
“It was great to see so many of our staff, past and present, clients and associates in one place to celebrate this amazing milestone. Here’s to another 50!”
Over the past 50 years, Armsons has been involved in many award-winning schemes, including transforming the historic Roundhouse on Pride Park into a £51m engineering, technology, and construction campus for Derby College.
Other projects include Glasshouse College – Ruskin Mill Trust, housed in the former Royal Doulton factory in Stourbridge’s Glass Quarter and 400 Hall, a state-of-the-art flexible performance theatre for Repton Hall School.
GRAHAM undergraduate Lauren spotlighted for award-winning performance
GRAHAM has presented one of its emerging young civil engineers with a prestigious accolade in recognition of her outstanding performance.
Now in its tenth year, the annual award ceremony is in memory of respected colleague Harry McMullen, who was a positive influence and mentor to many young engineers in GRAHAM for over four decades.
Loughborough University student, Lauren Vavasour, who is from Derby, is the tenth recipient and the fourth female to receive the award.
Lauren was selected after introducing significant cost-saving, sustainable innovations to the civil engineering division of the business.
In addition, GRAHAM has committed to further supporting Lauren’s career journey by offering her sponsorship and a permanent position after she graduates.
Leo Martin, Managing Director of GRAHAM Civil Engineering said: “As a business, we are passionate about nurturing the professional development of all our staff and particularly our young people by instilling responsible, productive work practices and behaviours that deliver a lasting impact to both clients and communities.
“Lauren is a shining example of our bright, emerging talent in GRAHAM and is a great ambassador for women working in STEM.
“She has continued to show great promise as a talented civil engineer by making a number of quantifiable, positive contributions in just twelve months.
“Needless to say, our decision to name her as this year’s winner was unanimous.”
Lauren’s contributions include the procurement of an off-grid power supply on the A1 (M) Radwell site in Wansford to help minimise running costs, pollution and carbon emissions.
This resulted in a 96% reduction in diesel consumption, 93% in noise pollution, 79% reduction in cost and 14.9 tonne reduction in carbon emissions in just one month.
She was also involved in a footbridge replacement scheme at the A47 Longthorpe.
Leo Martin continued: “Congratulations to Lauren on her well-deserved win. We wish her all the best with her academic studies and look forward to her re-joining the team and progressing her career through our bespoke GRAHAM Academy.”
A keen advocate for fairness, inclusion and respect (FIR), Lauren was also instrumental in raising awareness of how to access women’s PPE and is an active member of GRAHAM’s ‘Women in Civil Engineering’ group.
Upon receiving her award, Lauren Vavasour said: “I’m so thankful to GRAHAM for giving me the opportunity to pursue my passions and learn from some of the best in the industry.
“The experience has really solidified my ambition to pursue a career in civil engineering and it’s exciting to know that after I qualify, I can start my professional career as a permanent member of the GRAHAM team!”
Interest rate rise will leave small businesses between a rock and a hard place
Following today’s decision by the Bank of England to increase the base rate from 2.25% to 3%, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chair Martin McTague said:
“Whatever the macroeconomic justifications for this latest rise, the eighth in a row, its effects will be felt immediately on the ground by small businesses carrying many kinds of debts, as well as by hard-pressed consumers.
“Consumer confidence in October was only slightly above its all-time low in September, which spells worrying news for countless small firms relying on consumer spending in the so-called ‘golden quarter’ running up to the festive season.
“Our research found that firms in the hospitality sector had a confidence reading almost twice as negative as the overall score for all sectors in Q3, raising fears of a wave of closures if prospects do not improve this winter.
“Prior to today’s base rate hike, small firms were already telling us that the availability of new credit worsened in the third quarter, and that finance was already getting more costly, adding to the financial pressures they face.
“Inflation is still sky-high, especially for business inputs, where it is running at around twice the rate of that felt by consumers.
“Today’s rise may be seen by markets as necessary and inevitable, but for small businesses struggling under a debt burden and seeing decreases in custom that will be cold comfort.
“The Chancellor must not forget small businesses and self-employed people in the upcoming Budget.
“While there are undoubtedly tough decisions ahead, a further drop in small business numbers, after 2020 and 2021 saw a combined loss of nearly half a million, will hamstring the UK’s economic recovery before it has a chance to get going.
“Action on late payment at least would be a godsend for small firms, opening up flows of working capital to keep them able to trade. The long-running scandal of large corporates’ poor payment practices must end, and the sooner the better.”
BDO promotes more than 90 in the Midlands
Accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO has announced the promotion of 97 people across its team in the Midlands, including three promotions to partner.
Effective from 1st November, Vinny Patel, has been promoted in the Transaction Services practice. He is joined by Sannan Khan who has been promoted to partner in the firm’s Forensic Accounting and Valuation Services (FAVS) team, together with the promotion of Claire Hudson in the Business Tax team.
Having joined the firm in 2003 as a trainee, Vinny has become an integral part of the regional Transaction Services team, with experience in both acquisition and vendor due diligence on behalf of corporate/trade acquirers, private equity and bank investments, as well as public market transactions. He will be an important member of the partner team in the Midlands, with a particular focus on supporting the continued growth of the firm’s East Midlands region.
Claire, who has been with the firm for 10 years, advises large corporates in the £100m+ turnover space all the way through to listed Public Interest Entities (PIEs). She provides UK and international tax advice to a diverse portfolio of large and complex groups, on matters including tax structuring, due diligence and reorganisations, as well as leading on significant compliance engagements.
Sannan Khan joined BDO in 2017 and has since built up a strong reputation in complex forensic investigations, leading various accounting and non-accounting investigations, and economic crime risk management matters, both in the public and private sector. With a rise in the level of fraud being reported and subsequent risk assessments, BDO anticipates significant growth in investigation work, with Sannan playing an important role in growing and leading the FAVS practice.
Kyla Bellingall, Midlands Managing Partner, commented: “The Midlands tax team has ambitious plans in the next four years which, coupled with impending and far-reaching audit reforms, provides vast potential for growth moving forwards – ambitions which Claire will play a key role in helping to deliver.
“Equally, Vinny and Sannan are an important part of two core areas of the business that have significant scope for further growth as we look to expand the regional offering in the next five to 10 years. Claire, Vinny and Sannan should be incredibly proud of their achievements.”
In the Midlands, BDO has promoted 87 people in Birmingham, and 10 people promoted in Nottingham. The promotions follow a raft of appointments in the region, including John Rouse who was appointed as partner in the FAVS team, and a duo of Director hires in the Business Services & Outsourcing practice.
Bellingall added: “Every promotion and appointment represent BDO’s commitment to investing in our people and the future of our business in the region and nationwide, and we’re delighted to reward those people who have demonstrated true commitment, dedication, and passion in their chosen specialisms.
“The raft of promotions we have made across the region is highly indicative of our continued desire to invest in our business while, at the same time, placing us in a much stronger position to support our clients as they attempt to navigate through the current economic climate and significant financial headwinds.”
Leicester College student crowned National Entrepreneur of the Year 2022
Leicester College student, Cerys Andrew has been announced as the 2022 National Entrepreneur of the Year and will receive a £5,000 investment from Peter Jones CBE, star of BBC’s Dragon’s Den.
Cerys, who has recently completed the Peter Jones Business Enterprise BTEC National Foundation Diploma level 3 at the College, entered the competition which saw her pitch her business idea to a panel of judges, including Peter Jones himself.
Based on her love of Irish dancing, in which she competes internationally, Cerys’ business is an Irish dance school, ‘Little Leprechauns.’ Currently, Cerys runs taster sessions and holiday club classes in primary schools. She has plans to turn the business into a franchise and hire and train staff to run their own schools around the UK.
The £5,000 investment will help Cerys to expand her business by reaching more customers, conducting market research, and purchasing merchandise for her competing students.
Cerys aims to use dance as a way to tackle obesity and promote healthy lifestyles amongst 6-15-year-olds.
Cerys commented: “It’s been a big achievement for me getting to the finals, let alone winning! It still hasn’t sunk in! I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without the support from the College and my teachers, and I can’t wait to see where this takes my business in the future.”
Peter Jones CBE, Chairman of Peter Jones Foundation, stated: “Cerys is an exceptional talent who pitched an impressive business plan. She is a great demonstration of someone who is creating a business out of a personal passion.”
Beena Ghattoraya, Programme Lead, Leicester College’s Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, added: “We are very proud of Cerys here at the Leicester College Peter Jones Enterprise Academy. Throughout the process, Cerys has demonstrated passion and a drive for her business. We are looking forward to having Cerys back at the College to support our future students and we look forward to seeing Cerys start her business with the investment.”
David Humpston, who won the competition in 2014, generously paid forward the £5,000 investment he won to provide the investment fund for this year’s winner.
Yvette Sexton, Director of Curriculum at Leicester College, said: “The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy course at Leicester College is now in its 10th year and although several students have reached the national finals before, Cerys is our first winner.
“Well done to Cerys, a talented individual who has turned her talent and passion into a successful business supported by the Peter Jones Foundation.”
EY reports record UK revenue and record bonus’s of £800k
As EY Partners prepared to vote on whether to separate the company into two businesses, they banked an extra £800,000 in average distributed profit; over and above their annual salary (an increase of over £50k on the previous financial year.
The accounting giant achieved revenue growth across all of its service lines in the UK. Consulting grew by 33%, followed by Tax, Assurance and Strategy and Transactions which generated growth of 15%, 11%, and 10% respectively. EY has also seen strong demand across all its industry sectors with stand-out performances from Consumer Products (26.4% growth), Private Equity (26.1%), Energy (21.3%) and Financial Services (13.6%).
Hywel Ball, EY UK Chair comments: “This has been a record year of growth in the UK, driven by the long-term investments we’ve made in our business and strong client demand. The decisions we’ve made in recent years, whether that’s continuing to recruit during the pandemic, expanding the Partnership, or the significant financial investments we’ve made in acquisitions and new technologies, have underpinned the extraordinary growth we’ve seen this financial year. These results also demonstrate the strength and resilience that we will continue to bring to navigating the current turbulent economic environment successfully.
“With companies facing a convergence of challenges, from climate change and the pandemic to economic uncertainty and shifting consumer habits, we’re investing in the talent, skills and services needed to help our clients transform, grow and build trust with their stakeholders.
“Over the last financial year alone we’ve recruited over 5,500 people across all parts of our business, with 37% of roles based outside of London, and appointed 120 new equity Partners. We’ve expanded our range of services in areas including technology consultancy and sustainability through acquisitions and the launch of EY Carbon. Plus, we’ve invested over $1bn globally in audit quality, supported by a refreshed investment strategy here in the UK.
“Our legacy as a single organisation has been exceptional and we’re in a strong period of growth for our business. I’m proud that, against this backdrop, we are taking the opportunity to review the shape of our business in the UK and globally to ensure we’re well positioned to build on this success into the future.”
FHP secure 10 year deal on 47,000ft² in Hucknall
Acting on behalf of long-term clients, Tim Gilbertson of FHP Property Consultants has clinched a deal with UK Home shopping on a large site of just under 50,000ft² between Junctions 26 and 27 of the M1 at Hucknall.
A spokesperson for UK Home Shopping comments:“With the benefit of the existing planning, we will soon launch ‘TOOLS TO GO’ – the biggest MEGASTORE of Tools and Machinery anywhere in the East Midlands (and possibly even the UK) to both the general public and the trade offering the biggest brands and widest ranges of over 70,000 Hand Tools, Power Tools, Garage and Workshop equipment, Gardening tools and machinery, Power Generators, Pressure Washers and much, much more and all at fiercely competitive prices.”
Tim Gilbertson, Director of FHP Property Consultants adds:“I am pleased with the result we gained here, securing a 10 year lease without break for our clients on this good quality building.
“A particular feature of this unit was its large yard, which is always a big selling point these days and helped us to secure the length of lease required.
“We wish the new tenants well in their expansion into the building.”
Set on a large yard and benefiting from an excellent location, it was always anticipated that the building would be well received in the market and this proved to be the case as a long-term lease was secured to UK Home Shopping Ltd for their expansion.”
Lincoln investment group snapped up for £3.5m
Global wealth management group Kingswood have acquired Lincoln-based JCH Investment Management Limited , which manages over £105m of client assets over 240 clients.
A deal was secured at £3.5m with part of the consideration being tied to performance targets. Initially £2.1m will be paid, once regulatory approval has been granted and the balance paid payable over a two-year period, subject to the achievement of pre-agreed performance targets. The Acquisition remains conditional on regulatory approval. In the year ending 31 July 2022, JCH generated revenue of £901k and profit before tax of £406k.Kingswood Group assets under advice (“AuA”) totals over £10 billion from a combination of both global retail and institutional clients.
David Lawrence, Kingswood Group CEO, commented: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of JCH. Led by John Hebblethwaite, over many years JCH have built deep and enduring relationships with their clients and John and his team have a strong cultural alignment with Kingswood.
“This Acquisition also allows us to consolidate our existing footprint in Lincolnshire and in doing so create a scalable hub from which to grow. On completion, the existing Kingswood team will co-locate with the JCH team at their Lincoln premises.
“Kingswood continues to be an acquisitive business and has a further five purchase transactions under exclusive due diligence that we expect to close in the coming months.”
John Hebblethwaite JCH commented:“We are delighted to be joining the Kingswood Group. This is an exciting development for the business, providing additional expertise, capability, and funding to continue our long-term track record of providing a best-in-class service for our clients. Kingswood shares our vision and beliefs of empowering its employees to provide excellent client service and this move gives the perfect outcome for both our clients and team for their future prosperity.
“I spent over two years investigating our options for a possible merger or sale, looking to find a ‘partner’ that would enable us to take all aspects of our business forward for the benefit of clients and staff alike. I am confident that Kingswood, as a major leading advice business, have the team and culture to be able to do this. We have been very impressed with the depth of quality in their management team.
“This is an important and positive step forward for JCH, as Kingswood share our fundamental ethos on providing an exemplary service to clients first and foremost.
“Their focus on service with great client outcomes, combined with understanding that our team are the heart of the business, giving them the opportunity to thrive and grow, made the decision to join them an easy one.”
Prime land sale secures future of residential development
Some four acres of prime land earmarked for a residential development in Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, has been acquired by a Derby-based developer.
The deal was orchestrated by property consultants at Fisher German, on behalf of a private landowner and will undoubtedly help meet the ongoing demand for new homes.
Previously, an initial planning application for fifty dwellings was refused when the appeal was dismissed in 2019; subsequent planning permission for 36 dwellings was granted in October 2021.
The landowner has been working with the Fisher German development team on promoting the sale of the land since 2016, during which time they had seen planning for 50 houses declined and a subsequent appeal dismissed. Undeterred, the land finally attained planning permission for 36 new dwellings in 2021.
Acting on behalf of the landowner, Fisher German played a key role in facilitating the sale by inviting numerous parties to submit their proposals, before securing an option agreement that enabled JK Land Limited to purchase the land within an agreed time frame, as well as negotiating a sale price upon the granting of planning permission.
Commenting on the deal, Luke Brafield, Partner in Fisher German’s Development team, says: “This proposed development has involved a number of planning and technical challenges. As such, it is a project that enabled us to demonstrate our varied expertise in strategic land promotion, ranging from sourcing developer partners and negotiating terms, to advising on planning promotion and negotiating prices for option agreements.
“We are delighted to have assisted in facilitating this deal and very much look forward to seeing a scheme being delivered.”
International software company expands into Nottingham’s iconic City Building
International software company 4G Clinical has expanded its Nottingham operation with a move to larger offices in the city centre.
The fast-growing US-owned clinical trial company has leased a floor at City Buildings, the landmark four-storey Victorian property on the corner of Carrington Street, between Nottingham train station and the Broadmarsh redevelopment.
The move means 4G Clinical, which employs more than 400 people across 12 offices worldwide, can expand to meet demand for its services. Its previous base was near Jubilee Campus, close to University Park.
The firm, which develops software systems that support clinical trials, appointed Innes England to search for the ideal space in the city.
Jon Sendall, of 4G Clinical, said: “The office provides a flexible hub for our UK operations and is ideally located close to city centre amenities and public transport links. This creates a more appealing location for our staff to work from and offers excellent sustainable travel options.”
MEIF Maven Debt Finance achieves £80m funding milestone
MEIF Maven Debt Finance has achieved a key milestone, lending £80 million to ambitious businesses across its two debt funds since Maven was appointed as Manager. The Funds, which are part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), have been supporting growth focused SMEs across the East & South East and West Midlands since their launch in 2018.
Access to finance has long been a barrier to growth for many smaller companies and the MEIF is helping improve the finance landscape for Midland based businesses in order to realise the region’s potential to achieve economic growth through enterprise.
MEIF Maven Debt Finance has now backed over 150 businesses across the two regions providing the essential capital required to support a wide range of funding requirements such as boosting working capital, investing in new products & services, or moving to larger commercial premises. The funding has also directly helped to create more than 700 jobs.
Businesses who have benefitted from debt finance through the Funds include Eskuta, an e-bike supplier to established brands such as Dominos and Pizza Hut, which has significantly increased sales since MEIF’s backing nearly 3 years ago. Whilst fleet software services provider, Chevin Fleet, was able to utilise the funding to exploit new commercial opportunities on a global scale.
More recently, the Funds have backed a number of pioneering and innovative businesses including Maeving, a manufacturer of fully electric motorcycles and BatFast, a sports technology business which recently won Best Technology for Fitness and Participation at the 2022 Sports Technology Awards.
Jonathan Lowe, Investment Director at Maven in the East and South East Midlands said: “We are delighted to have achieved this significant milestone for MEIF loans across the Midlands. Businesses have faced and continue to face major challenges in recent times, and we’re pleased to have played a part in their resilience and growth. With further MEIF funds available to deploy, we remain keen to support SMEs with their finance needs.”
Richard Blount, Investment Director at Maven in the West Midlands adds: “The continued success of the funds is evident both from the continued demand for funding from SMEs based across the West Midlands and East and South East Midlands and the growing number of success stories across the Fund’s portfolio.
“Furthermore, given the increasing economic challenges being faced by businesses, the continued deployment of finance by the funds to support SMEs across the Midlands, is increasingly important to ensure economic growth, and to protect and increase employment across the region.”
Mark Wilcockson, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank concludes: “Maven have played a fundamental role delivering debt finance to businesses across the two regions supported by MEIF. This has enabling over 150 businesses to access finance options to support their growth, enabling the creation of new jobs, funding expansion projects and filling gaps in working capital.”
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and University of Derby team up to make more room for nature
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has agreed a series of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with the University of Derby to combine the skills and know-how needed to support the Trust’s ambitions to be at the forefront of ecosystem services provision.
The partnership will provide the academic expertise that the Trust needs to grow by developing an innovative and holistic business model that can leverage its conservation expertise and enable it to operate commercially, while remaining true to its charitable status.
For 60 years, owning land for nature conservation has been the main function of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and continues to be at the heart of its strategy. Through KTP funding, this collaboration will help the Trust build capability to generate income through managing land by providing a range of services in relation to biodiversity net gain (BNG), wellbeing improvement, carbon sequestration, nitrate and phosphate mitigation.
Under the terms of the partnership, the University will recruit three graduate associates to work on the project for two years. During their time working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, the KTP recruits will embed new methods into the organisation, training the existing staff team.
The graduate associates, supported by the staff team at the Trust and academics from the University of Derby’s School of Built and Natural Environment and Derby Business School, will develop a bespoke simulation framework to assess biodiversity outcomes for target sites, and novel tools for baseline biodiversity assessment and long-term site monitoring.
This will be complemented by a Management KTP to develop a holistic business model that offers the Trust a mechanism to continue its nature recovery work, whilst generating income and fulfilling other social and environmental objectives, such as flood risk management and water quality improvement.
Matt Buckler, Head of Wilder Landscapes at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said: “Following the Government’s announcement to make BNG a mandatory requirement for planning permission, coupled with the recent COP26 and upcoming COP15 conferences, there has been a shift in thinking towards nature-based solutions to meet environmental and climate emergencies.
“We recognised this catalyst for change early on and knew that with support from the University to transform our business capabilities and working practices, we could protect land for nature, as we always have done, whilst providing the ecosystem services needed by society, landowners and organisations such as developers and utility companies.
“We are very much looking forward to working with the University of Derby and embedding our new associates into the organisation to help us maximise this significant opportunity and establish ourselves as the leading provider of ecosystem services in the county and beyond.”
Dr Anne Danby, Course Director for the School of Built and Natural Environment at the University of Derby, added: “The KTPs are an exciting opportunity for academics and students at the University. The BNG work is cutting-edge, in a highly technical area and will draw on the skills of our academic team in remote sensing, biodiversity analysis and ecological modelling to support Derbyshire Wildlife Trust in this innovative endeavour. It also offers a great learning opportunity for hundreds of our undergraduate and postgraduate students, from across business management, operations and supply chain, environmental management and sustainability courses. They will all learn a lot from the case studies, projects and guest lectures generated by this project.”
Sterling dips and pundits warn of long recession as BoE announces biggest rate hike in decades
The Bank of England has announced a rise in interest rates from 0.75% to 3% – the biggest interest rate increase since 1989. The rise follows economic turmoil caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and various faux pas by Liz Truss’s cabinet.
Economists are now forecasting that, as a result, the UK will be plunged into one of the longest recessions on record.
Seven members of the MPC (Andrew Bailey, Ben Broadbent, Jon Cunliffe, Jonathan Haskel, Catherine L Mann, Huw Pill and Dave Ramsden) voted in favour of the rise. Two members voted against the proposition. Swati Dhingra preferred to increase Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 2.75%, and Silvana Tenreyro preferred to increase Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 2.5%.
The Bank of England’s governor Andrew Bailey insisted: “If we don’t take action to bring inflation down, it gets worse,”
He added: “The UK’s standing has been damaged by the government’s mini-budget”
The MPC have also stated that, if the outlook suggests more persistent inflationary pressures, it will respond forcefully, as necessary.Government needs to ‘get the basics right’ to help businesses through high interest rates environment, says East Midlands Chamber
Commenting on the Bank of England’s decision to raise interest rates from 2.25% to 3%, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) chief executive Scott Knowles said: “The largest single increase in interest rates is a clear signal yet by the Bank of England that businesses should expect a high interest rate environment for the foreseeable future.
“This will inevitably hamper investment intentions, which are already lagging significantly due to the low confidence affecting many firms right now amid a cost-of-doing-business crisis not helped by a lack of certainty.
“Many businesses at this time of year are entering their business planning cycle for the next financial year and the lack of clarity on energy costs from 1 April 2023, among other inflationary pressures such as rising interest rates, will protract or even cancel planned investment in some cases.
“Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey showed confidence over profitability and turnover has fallen by 21% and 17% between the second and third quarters of this year, with investment intentions dropping by 6% for both people and plant and machinery.
“We understand the need to address rampant inflation, but equally the constant cycle of rates rises means these trends are unlikely to improve anytime soon unless the Government gets serious about supporting business with mountain concerns.
“Later this month, we will launch a Business Manifesto for Growth in the East Midlands and Beyond in Parliament that urges decision-makers to ‘get the basics right’. This means developing a long-term approach to business taxation and regulation, improving digital and physical connectivity, and backing firms to invest in people.
“By addressing the underlying structural issues that are holding many firms back, they can eventually get on with doing with what they do best – which is creating growth, job opportunities and wealth in their local areas, and driving the national economy forward.”
Founder of addiction charity among those receiving University of Derby honorary degrees
The founder of a charity supporting people recovering from alcohol or substance addiction, the manager of the Derby Bosnia Herzegovina Centre, and a senior RAF officer and engineer, are among those who will receive Honorary Degrees from the University of Derby later this month.
Each year notable people with a strong connection to the University or the city are chosen to receive an Honorary Degree at the Awards Ceremonies, when the University’s students graduate.
Thousands of graduates, guests and VIPs are expected to attend the ceremonies which take place from Wednesday 16 November to Friday 18 November at Derby Arena.
The recipients of the Honorary Degrees are:
- Jaz Rai OBE – founder and chair of the Sikh Recovery Network (Honorary Master of the University)
- Ferid Kevric – Project and Centre Manager of the Derby Bosnia Herzegovina Centre (Honorary Master of the University)
- Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB FREng – senior RAF officer and engineer (Honorary Doctor of the University)
- Stephen Layton MBE – Derby-born conductor, founder and director of Polyphony, one of the world’s leading choirs (Honorary Doctor of Music)
- Jane Ide OBE – Derbyshire-based CEO of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Honorary Doctor of the University)
Economic report reveals £1bn investment in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire by Amazon
Amazon has launched its latest analysis of the company’s regional investment across the UK. The 2022 Amazon UK Economic Impact Hub shows that the company has invested more than £1 billion in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire since 2010.
The Amazon UK Economic Impact Hub provides regional data on jobs created by Amazon locally, the number of regional independent small businesses supported by the company, the level of economic activity driven by Amazon’s investments and the export sales recorded last year by small businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire selling on Amazon.
Below are the key stats covering the region:
- Since 2010, Amazon has invested over £1 billion in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
- This investment led to the production of goods and services that contributed an estimated £1.3 billion to the region’s GDP since 2010.
- To date, Amazon has created around 8,000 full and part-time jobs in the East Midlands.
- More than 400 people in the East Midlands have completed Amazon’s employability skills training programme since 2010.
- More than 200 apprentices in East Midlands have qualified from the Amazon Apprenticeship programme since 2010.
- In Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire there are more than 2,000 small and medium-sized businesses selling on Amazon as independent selling partners.
- Small businesses from the region selling on Amazon recorded over £50 million of export sales in 2021.
- In partnership with the charity Magic Breakfast, Amazon delivered more than 240,000 healthy breakfasts to vulnerable children and schools across the East Midlands in 2021.
Duo of appointments at Marchini Curran Associates
Nottingham-based architects and interior designers, Marchini Curran Associates, has appointed Sara Saadouni as architect and Lauren Leyva as architectural assistant, as part of its plans for growth.
The RIBA chartered practice, which provides design and project management services from its office on High Pavement in the city, has this year marked 20 years in business and put into action its growth and community strategy.
Sara is a qualified architect in both the UK and Morocco and has an MSc in Sustainable Building Technology from the University of Nottingham.
Having just completed her MA in Architecture with a first class honours degree, also at the University of Nottingham, Lauren is being sponsored by Marchini Curran Associates through her final Part III qualification to become an architect.
The appointments come six months after the management buyout of the practice by directors Kevin Smith, Justin Ziegler and Andrew Bull. Founders Nick Marchini and Des Curran, remain actively involved in the business.
Kevin said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Sara and Lauren to our team. Their passion and unique expertise make them a great asset to our practice, and I always enjoy the fresh ideas new team members bring.
“Marchini Curran Associates is a team-oriented company. We invest in the best talent, which enables us to deliver the most innovative design solutions for our clients and further strengthen our culture.
“Justin, Andrew and I are equally driven to further build on our well-established reputation for quality and collaborative approach, and Sara and Lauren join us at an exciting time – as we move forward with our growth and community strategy.
Sara and Lauren will work alongside the close to 30-strong team at Marchini Curran Associates, delivering projects in the Midlands, nationally, and more recently in Europe.
Current schemes include a large-scale commercial redevelopment in Oxford city centre, a retail-led development in Camden, and a number of large data centres around London, as well as local schemes such as the new Phoenix Cinema in Leicester.
Sara said: “Really proud to be part of a team that cares about sustainable design and using my background in sustainable building technology, I’m already contributing my skills in this area to the work of the practice. The supportive and progressive approach has empowered me to take the lead on projects almost from the outset, and it’s wonderful to be part of this growth journey.”
Lauren said: “I have immediately felt part of a friendly and inclusive team and Marchini Curran Associates is the perfect environment to learn from highly skilled professionals. I was drawn to the practice for its varied architecture and the supportive culture and I’m really looking forward to the future here.”
Since its formation in 2002, Marchini Curran Associates and Marchini Curran Interiors has designed a diverse portfolio of projects for local, national and international clients, across commercial, retail, leisure, residential, education, industrial and master planning.
£18m funding for family owned bakery
A family owned bakery with operations in Derbyshire and Cheshire has successfully raised £18m to fund significant investment and upgrades to plant and equipment.
The bakery, owned by Frank Roberts & Sons Limited is a fourth generation family business dating back to 1887, and is the fourth largest retail bread brand in the UK. The company serves a mix of national branded retail, own label, food to go and food service customers, under key brands Roberts Bakery and Little Treats.
Mike Roberts, family member and Deputy Chairman of the business commented: “The new funding puts us in a very strong position and allows us to really invest in the future growth of our business and advance on our journey towards Net Zero Carbon. We’re constantly innovating new products alongside our core offerings and we now have the opportunity to ensure our bakery uses the most modern equipment and continues to produce the best quality products available on the shelves.”
PwC Debt & Capital Advisory advised the company on the financing, led by director Dominic Renshaw and supported by Ash Jacobs and Sam Morkel.
Blast off for Newark’s £15m air and space training facility
Construction work has started on the new £15.4m Air and Space Institute (ASI) in Newark – and the state-of-the-art training facility is due to open in early September 2024.
Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Visitors, Councillor Rhona Holloway, from Newark and Sherwood District Council and Newark Town Board Co-Chair Tom Cartledge joined ASI colleagues on-site for the official turf-cutting ceremony this afternoon.
Councillor Rhona Holloway, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Visitors at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Today marks the start of the exciting construction of a new Air and Space Institute located in Newark.
“The facility will train the next generation of pilots, engineers and aviation ground crew – providing young people who dream of flying a plane or working in the aviation or space industries the opportunity to have that dream turned into reality.
“To reach this point has involved a huge amount of work and I’d like to pay tribute to Lincoln College Group, Newark Town Board and colleagues within Newark and Sherwood District Council.”
Being built adjacent to the Newark and Sherwood District Council offices on the former Cattle Market site, the ASI was one of a number of priority projects identified as part of Newark’s Town Investment Plan, which was developed by the Newark Town Board to regenerate the town centre, boost business and improve infrastructure. As part of the proposals, £10.6 is being contributed towards the project from the Towns Fund.
Lincoln College Director of ASI and Strategic Growth, Tom Marsden, said: “This new HQ for the Air and Space Institute will be an iconic landmark for Newark as people enter the town. It’s also hugely exciting for our current and future students, who’ll be training to be pilots and engineers in the civil and military aviation and space industries.
“This project represents the vision, drive and tenacity of our partners; the District Council, Newark Town Board, STEM architects, our main contractor G F Tomlinson and our aviation industry partners.
“ASI is putting Newark on the map in terms of education and training. Our students are already taking flying lessons and training on real aircraft. This new facility will be truly world-class and attract students from all over the UK. This brings investment, new resources and a huge boost to existing and emerging businesses in Newark.
“We’re already training the pilots and aircraft engineers of the future and our Space Engineering programmes for school-leavers start in September. All of our programmes go from level 2 and 3 right up to higher national diplomas and degree-level and we will be in a position to make an exciting announcement about a new local university partner in the next few weeks.”
Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson said: “We were delighted to be appointed as the main contractor on this development.
“The project will provide students at the Lincoln College Group with a state-of-the-art facility and enable the ASI to offer first-class training at a brand-new campus in the heart of Newark.
“We are extremely pleased to have secured this project under the Pagabo National Framework for Major Construction Works. Through our early contractor involvement and close collaboration with the Client team, we look forward to turning Lincoln College Group’s vision into a reality by providing a world-class training facility for young people throughout the region.”
Positive performance from Leicester headquartered fashion giant
Leicester headquartered fashion retailer, Next, has released its latest profit guidance and despite turbulent times for the high street, the company remains confident that their revised forecast will be met.
In the thirteen weeks to 29th October, the listed company saw full price sales rise slightly ahead of expectations with an increase of 0.4% on the previous year. The report reveals that retail spend in the UK and Ireland increased 3.1 per cent, while on line sales dropped 1.9%.
The company state they expect to hit their recently adjusted guidance for full year profit, which, in September, was revised down from £860m before tax to £840m – however this still reflects an increase of 2.1% versus last year.
The company intend to give an update on sales to Saturday 31 December on Thursday 5th January 2023.
