Form new connections at the East Midlands Expo

Tess Egginton
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Form new connections at the East Midlands Expo
On Monday 14 November 2022 businesses will flock to the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham for the East Midlands Expo. An established event of over 20 years, the free to attend expo is a prime networking opportunity aimed at the construction, property, business, investment, finance, professional services and related B2B markets. The day, for which Business Link is a proud partner, will begin with exhibitor breakfast networking, with the exhibition opening to attendees at 9am. A seminar will take place between 10:45am and noon with BSP Consulting’s directors Mark Rayers and Tony Goddard lined up to present  ‘Sustainability and how engineering plays its part’. A special networking lunch (for which tickets can be purchased here) will then take place between 12:15pm and 2:15pm, and the exhibition will close at 3:30pm.

For more information on exhibiting at the event click here.

To register to attend the event for free click here.

To secure tickets for the networking lunch click here.

From property agents to developers, architects, contractors, investors, PR firms, and more, see the list of current exhibitors here.

Half-year sales and profits rise at Next

Tess Egginton
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Half-year sales and profits rise at Next
Sales and pre-tax profits have risen at Next, according to the retailer’s half-year results for the 26 weeks ended 30 July 2022. The business has reported a “good first half, with overall sales ahead of expectations.” Next says this was driven by the over-performance of its retail stores and a strong performance from the formal parts of its clothing ranges. Full price sales were up 12.4% versus 2021 and 22.3% against 2019. The company meanwhile posted a profit before tax of £401m, up 16% on 2021 and 22% against 2019. Following the half year results however, August trading was below the group’s expectations, although sales in September have improved. As a result Next has decided to reduce its forecast for full price sales in the second half from +1% to -1.5% versus last year. Furthermore, profit guidance for the full year has been reduced from £860m to £840m, which would be a rise of +2.1% on last year. Charlie Huggins, head of equities at Wealth Club, said: “Next is seen as a bellwether of the UK High Street and today’s cut to full year guidance lays bare the challenges being faced. Asos and Boohoo’s trading performance has been nothing short of dire. Even Primark’s recent trading update called out significant margin pressures. In this context, Next’s half year results are more resilient than most. “The fact that many retailers are struggling shouldn’t be a surprise. This is arguably the most difficult trading environment since the 2008/09 financial crisis. Inflation is at levels not seen for four decades. Sterling is in the doldrums, trading at its weakest level against the dollar since 1985. Add to this, the war in Ukraine and the spectre of further interest rate rises. It’s not exactly conducive to consumers restocking their wardrobes. “Perhaps the biggest issue for the whole sector is that while things look challenging right now, they look set to become even more so. This is due to the precipitous decline in sterling which will only exacerbate inflationary pressures. “Next looks better positioned than most of its peers to weather the storm, and emerge stronger in light of its high margins, robust cash flows and strong balance sheet. But 2023 could be a very difficult year the way things are shaping up.”

Nottingham Building Society to close 17 branches

Steve Fisher
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Nottingham Building Society to close 17 branches
The Nottingham Building Society says it will close a third of its branches due, it says, to “changing consumer behaviour”. A total of 17 branches across East Midlands, including Lincolnshire will close by the end of this year . In a statement, the Nottingham Building Society explain: “Following a detailed review of our branch network we can see the way members are using our branches has changed. People are visiting us less and less each year, reducing the number of times they visit, and using alternative ways to manage their money – over the telephone and online. “In some of our locations there are days where we have very few members transacting in our branches. In others, less than 30% of members have transacted in the branch in the last 12 months. We also have decreasing customer numbers and savings balances in some branches. Whilst we know it doesn’t suit everyone there is a continuing trend towards having the ability to transact digitally and we’ve seen this trend continue post the pandemic. “We have a responsibility to our members to make sure we have an efficient branch network and that we operate in locations where members need and use them the most. We’ve been very thoughtful, and done a significant amount of analysis, to understand the impact branch closures will have. We have looked at the distance to an alternative Nottingham branch, whether there are other financial service providers on the high street or whether we are the last remaining branch. We’ve also considered the impact on colleague morale of working in branches where they have little to no interaction with members. “

Belmayne invites public to talk about finances

Michael Fisher
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Belmayne invites public to talk about finances
Dronfield-based financial planners, Belmayne, are offering free initial consultations with their experienced advisers to mark UK Financial Planning Week. Local residents are invited to book face to face, online or telephone appointments during the week commencing October 3 to learn more about the importance of investing in their future. The independent firm is supporting the national initiative to dispel myths around financial planning and encourage conversations about money. It will also be publishing a series of daily blogs, tackling common issues affecting consumer decisions about pensions and investments. Run by the not-for-profit Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI), Financial Planning Week aims to help consumers build confidence, combat stress and anxiety and deal with the challenges that surround financial decisions. Belmayne partner, Martin Birch, said: “When household finances are stretched to breaking point, many of us put retirement plans on the backburner. However, laying the foundations early is the only way to reach your life goals. We want to encourage consumers to learn as much as they can about the benefits of financial planning and consider their particular circumstances in more detail. Meeting with an independent planner is the best way to start a conversation about the future and the results could be life-changing.” Sally Plant, CISI assistant director, financial planning and education development, added: “It has never been more important to get the message out – that financial literacy is an important tool for life, and financial planning is an essential part of wellbeing and mental fitness. Financial Planning Week helps raise awareness about the role of qualified financial planners in helping people from all walks of life, and all ages – and importantly, not just the wealthy – to think ahead and plan for the future.”

East Midlands manufacturer secures £1.5m furniture and fitout contracts in Scotland

Michael Fisher
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East Midlands manufacturer secures £1.5m furniture and fitout contracts in Scotland
Mansfield-based Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading furniture and fitout specialists, has been awarded its second contract this year for North Lanarkshire Council, taking the value of these orders to £1.5m. The latest project is to provide furniture and fitout services for a £20m community hub in Chryston which is being delivered by hub South West Scotland and their construction partner, Robertson Group. Deanestor will manufacture, procure and install over 5,200 items of furniture and equipment for Chryston Community Hub, including shelving, seating, storage cabinets, worktops, tables, and teaching aids. Designed by Ryder Architecture, this is a shared campus development for primary education and community health provision in a single building. The building will have spaces for up to 509 primary pupils to meet the rising demand for school places in the area. Due for completion in autumn 2023, the hub will also incorporate a community health clinic to support the provision of health services. William Tonkinson, Deanestor Managing Director, said, “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this second project for North Lanarkshire Council. Both schemes are very innovative, using a shared campus approach to deliver state-of-the-art facilities to the benefit of the local communities.” “Chryston Community Hub is a really unique scheme and a flagship development for shared community facilities. Deanestor has extensive, specialist experience in the delivery of furniture and fitout services for both education and healthcare projects, which will add value to this latest contract.” Deanestor’s project for a second community hub and learning centre for North Lanarkshire Council is now underway. Here, Deanestor is working with hub South West Scotland’s construction partner, BAM Construct UK, to provide around 4,400 items of bespoke school furniture and equipment for a £20m shared learning campus in Wishaw. This will accommodate 500 pupils from Newmains and St Brigid’s Primary Schools, and a 100-place early years centre. Deanestor will fit out more than 100 rooms in seven zones. Designed by BDP and scheduled to open around the end of 2022, this development will create a stimulating learning centre for denominational and non-denominational primary and early years education. Deanestor provides high quality furniture and fitout solutions to construction clients and contractors for healthcare, education, student accommodation, build-to-rent and laboratory projects – both new build and refurbishment. It offers bespoke design services to meet specific project requirements and is responsible for installation to provide a seamless approach for its customers and a single point of contact.

Leicester City Council to boost Waterside development with £4.9m funding

Steve Fisher
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Leicester City Council to boost Waterside development with £4.9m funding
Leicester City Council intends to provide £4.9million of funding to emh Group towards the construction of 55 new affordable rent homes in the Waterside area. Emh Group – one of the largest providers of affordable homes in the East Midlands – has confirmed that the council will be able to nominate people from its housing waiting list for the new homes. The new homes – which will be a mix of one and two-bedroom flats – will be part of the council’s response to the need for affordable housing supported living schemes that support adults who are in receipt of social care. The 55 flats would be part of a larger proposed 75-unit supported housing scheme that emh Group plans to develop. The council’s proposed contribution will be from receipts from the sale of council properties under the Government’s Right to Buy scheme. Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, assistant city mayor four housing said: “By providing Right to Buy funding to emh Group in this way, we can help ensure that dozens of new homes – including much-needed wheelchair accessible properties – are available at affordable rent to some of the most vulnerable people in the city. “There is no doubt that the Right to Buy scheme has hit the supply of council housing hard. We’re losing homes much faster that they are being built and it’s time the Right to Buy scheme was abandoned. In the meantime, it is essential that we invest whatever proceeds back into addressing our local and critical need for more affordable homes.” Whenever a council property is sold under Right to Buy, the proceeds of the sale must be used in line with strict Government guidelines. This means that only some of the proceeds can be used to support the costs of building new affordable homes for rent. It also means that this money can only be used to cover up to 40 per cent of construction costs. Emh Group’s proposed scheme will be part of the delivery of over 360 new homes currently under construction by Keepmoat, the city council’s development partner for the first phase of the Waterside regeneration project. Chris Jones, Executive Director – Development at emh said “We are proud to partner with Leicester City Council and look forward to making a key contribution towards the regeneration of Waterside. “We are committed to building high quality, affordable homes that meet the needs of local people as well as provide a boost to local the area.” A formal decision on the proposed use of £4.9million of Right to Buy receipts to help address the need for more affordable housing is due to be taken on Thursday 6 October 2022.

Nottingham achieves a 57% reduction in carbon emissions

Steve Fisher
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Nottingham achieves a 57% reduction in carbon emissions
Nottingham has reduced its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 57.7% per person in the last 15 years the latest review of the city’s Carbon Neutral Action Plan shows. This is the highest reduction for any core city in the country. The City Council and partner organisations across Nottingham have been delivering the plan for two years in order to tackle climate change. Positive results are being achieved and this is reflected in the city’s overall CO2 emissions levels. The Carbon Neutral Action Plan covers a range of themes that impact CO2 emissions in Nottingham that aim to:
  • Reduce CO2 emissions across six key areas: transport, energy generation, the built environment (buildings), water, waste and consumption (what we buy and use)
  • Remove CO2 from the atmosphere
  • Protect and enhance nature
  • Protect the city from extreme weather events
Nottingham is aiming to be the first city in the UK to become carbon neutral by 2028, which is the most ambitious climate and environmental target in the country. The climate crisis remains one of the most complex challenges that our society faces, but over the past year the City Council has delivered some impressive achievements:
  • Nottingham is considered one of the top 100 cities in the world for climate action
  • Progress has been made to decarbonise vehicles in the city, with over 50% of the council’s fleet running on electric battery power while 30% of the city’s buses are either electric or run on biogas
  • Work has begun on an innovative wireless taxi pilot project, which is a first for the UK
  • To date, over 13,000 energy efficiency improvements have been made to social and privately owned homes through the Greener HousiNG schemes
  • 9,000 new trees were planted in 2021-22 which , lower the temperature of the city, and make Nottingham greener
  • Properties across Nottingham have been made more resilient to the impacts of climate changethrough flood management schemes
  • Thousands of kilos of food waste avoided through redistribution project with FareShare Midlands.
Councillor Sally Longford, Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Waste Services, said: “I’m pleased that we are continuing to reduce CO2 emissions in Nottingham. To have the highest per person reduction in emissions of any core city in the UK is impressive and shows the hard work that we’ve been doing across the council and the city. “However, we need to do even more. This year we’ve seen even more extreme weather events at home and around the world, so we can’t be complacent with the progress we’ve made to date. Together, the City Council, partner organisations, and the residents of Nottingham can come together to do our bit to tackle the climate crisis. “I would like to encourage residents to get involved where they can – our Notts Green Rewards app has loads of suggestions to reduce your carbon footprint. Organisations in Nottingham can sign up to our ‘We Support CN28’ campaign to join more than 40 businesses who have committed to reducing their carbon emissions.” Wayne Bexton, Director of Carbon Reduction, Energy and Sustainability, said: “To achieve a 57.7% reduction in carbon emissions since 2005 and be the leading core city on this agenda is testament to the work happening across the city with partners. We have challenges ahead in order to become carbon neutral, but we should celebrate the progress to date and harness the momentum to keep Nottingham at the forefront of tackling climate change.”

AW Repair Group sold to Steer Automotive Group in multi-million-pound deal

Tess Egginton
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AW Repair Group sold to Steer Automotive Group in multi-million-pound deal
Azets, the regional accountancy and business advisor to SMEs, has advised on a multi-million-pound sale of specialist accident repair centres, AW Repair Group, to Chiltern Capital-backed Steer Automotive Group. Founded in 1996 by Andrew Walsh, AW Repair Group Limited operates a group of specialist accident repair centres. From its 12 operational sites spread across South Yorkshire and the East Midlands, the business delivers a mix of vehicle accident repair services to its established and growing base of customers in the insurance and manufacturer sector. With over 30 years of experience within the body shop industry, Steer Automotive Group is now the new owner of AW Repair Group. Exiting founder and CEO of AW Repair Group, Andrew Walsh, said: “I started the business at the age of 24 and to negotiate its sale was, at times, emotive, frustrating and also exciting. “Thanks to the guidance from the Azets’ team, namely Martin Poole, Tom Eastwood and Doug Allan, who were always calm, diligent and consistent in their approach and any alternative proposals were always explored. They had a really good understanding of all the intricacies, and worked in partnership with our legal advisors. “We wish the team at Steer Automotive Group all the best and look forward to following their journey.” Martin Poole, partner at Azets, added: “It was a pleasure working with Andrew and Emma, long-standing clients of the firm. Through their hard work, they have grown a business from scratch into one that is at the forefront of the industry. Their commitment and determination through the transaction process has been second to none and they thoroughly deserve the value that they have achieved for all of their efforts. “I have no doubt that the legacy and dedication shown by AW Repair Group’s founder and CEO Andrew and finance and legal director Emma will enable the business to flourish under new ownership.” Azets provided corporate finance, audit and tax advisory services to the shareholders of AW Repair Group Limited.

Melton Building Society appoints local business to carry out Mutual House office revamp

Tess Egginton
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Melton Building Society appoints local business to carry out Mutual House office revamp
Melton Building Society have partnered with fellow Leicester business, Blueprint Interiors, to carry out the refurbishment of their Mutual House offices. Work is set to start in early October to modernise the interior of the well-known building, a landmark passed regularly by commuters travelling along Leicester Road. There will be no disruption to service during the renovations which are intended to improve the functionality of the workspace for Melton Building Society colleagues, and also provide new meeting and event space that will be opened up for use by local charities and community groups. Simon Taylor, CEO of Melton Building Society, commented on the refurbishment plans: “We are thrilled to be able to support a fantastic local business such as Blueprint Interiors by appointing them to carry out the transformation of our offices. “As a mutual, our founding purpose is to ‘build thriving communities’ and so the aim of the revamp is to better accommodate our colleagues, most of whom live locally, with a more efficient work environment and to bring value to our members by investing in our shared future.” Simon continues: “We are very excited to be able to enhance our services by opening up the improved space and inviting our members in on a regular basis – hosting workshops and events and supporting community projects.” As a significant local employer, Melton Building Society has hired 35 new roles this year, taking their total to over 135 colleagues. The planned building works will further support the community by bringing in local firms to provide expertise. Chloe Sproston, creative and commercial director at Blueprint Interiors, comments on the partnership: “It’s been a huge privilege to work alongside The Melton team during our workplace consultancy and design stages. We’ve taken time to understand how its people and processes need to be supported, so that they can deliver on the society’s objective to become a ‘modern mutual’. “The result is a bespoke selection of spaces. From tech driven workspaces to community focused cafes – all perfected to suit the needs and activities of colleagues, members and the wider community. Delivering these transformational spaces is about to begin, and we can’t wait to see it come to life.” The work is set to be completed in the spring of 2023, with plans for a reopening.

Law firm advises on care provider sale

Steve Fisher
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Law firm advises on care provider sale
Flint Bishop has advised on the sale of a residential care business to one of the UK’s leading providers. The law firm has advised the shareholders of Quality Care, a regional provider of residential care for those with learning disabilities and complex needs, on their sale to Choice Care Group. The Flint Bishop transaction team comprised of partner Joel Nixon, senior associate Mark Wilcock and associate Emma Hadley. Nicola Bullock and Chris Jones, of Bates Weston, provided corporate finance advice to the sellers. Joel said: “It was a pleasure to support the team on this successful sale. “Together they have built a strong business from the ground up through their passion and vocation for caring for those in need. “Along with continuity of the management team, it is great to see custody being passed into the hands of an organisation such as Choice, which shares the same values with the needs of its service users at its core.”

Progress made on new Derby nuclear manufacturing and research centre site

Tess Egginton
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Progress made on new Derby nuclear manufacturing and research centre site
The new Nuclear AMRC Midlands site progresses after a successful interim period in the iHub at Infinity Park Derby. Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is “pleased” with the progress of the new 46,904 sq ft research and development design and manufacturing centre at Infinity Park Derby (IPD), for Nuclear AMRC Midlands. Infinity Park Derby is a unique collaboration between Derby City Council, the Harper Crewe Estate, Rolls-Royce and developers IPD LLP, Wilson Bowden and Peveril Securities. The high-quality employment park is located next to the world headquarters of Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace and is located within 15 minutes of OEMs such as Toyota, JCB and Alstom. SGP have been involved in the development of the masterplan for Infinity Park Derby since 2001. Working closely with March Developments, who are developers within Infinity Park Derby LLP, as well as Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), SGP designed a bespoke operational facility to suit the end user’s research and development and advanced manufacturing requirements. Situated on an approximately 2.4 hectares (6 acres) site, the 21,528 sq ft manufacturing centre, with a haunch height of 10m, provides the best layout for flow, positioning of equipment and maximum use of space. The two storey 25,210 sq ft office and welfare facility contains laboratories, testing and prototyping facilities along with technical development offices. A double height atrium marks the entrance to the facility and provides exhibition space to showcase the work carried out at the facility. This new facility for advanced manufacturing is expected to add £52 million to the local Derby economy across a five-year period, supporting SMEs in the area to grow by creating opportunities for research and development. The elevational treatment creates a striking presence in the landscape, using a combination of profiled built-up cladding alongside carefully proportioned flat panel rain screen cladding to create distinctive dark ‘framed boxes’ to define the three volumes. A subtle colour palette enhances the composition whilst the large, glazed volume of the main reception area is set behind projecting brise soleil, which knits together the office and industrial unit. A new, multifunctional green infrastructure has been designed for the site to provide long term environment enhancement and a potentially strategically important area for wetland habitats. The planting of new broadleaved trees and species rich hedgerows will improve biodiversity across the site. The design of the building – a high quality contemporary development reflecting the high technology aspiration for Infinity Park Derby – is an important element in establishing IPD as a key manufacturing base for the East Midlands. The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) awarded Derby City Council over £9m in funding – £6.875m from its Getting Building Fund and £2.2m from its Growing Places Fund – to support the development of a Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at Infinity Park in Derby. The Nuclear AMRC Midlands facility will deliver 70 direct jobs. Nuclear AMRC Midlands will work with companies of all sizes to help them win work in carbon-neutral supply chains as part of the global drive to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Nuclear AMRC Midlands will support 100 businesses through collaborative research and supply chain development projects within the first five years, in high-value sectors such as aerospace, automotive and rail as well as nuclear and other low-carbon energy technologies. Cllr Steve Hassall, portfolio for regeneration, decarbonisation, strategic planning and transport at Derby City Council, said: “We’re pleased to see construction progressing on the new Nuclear AMRC. Construction of this state-of-the-art research and development centre is great news for Derby’s SME businesses. Not only will it offer a huge boost to our local economy, but also cement our place as a national leader for innovation, manufacturing, and world-class research and development.” Andrew Storer, CEO of the Nuclear AMRC, said: “The new Nuclear AMRC Midlands facility will play a vital role in helping manufacturers seize the opportunities and tackle the challenges of the national transition to net zero emissions. “As the first High Value Manufacturing Catapult facility in the East Midlands, we will continue to work closely with local industry, academic and government partners to deliver sustainable growth for decades to come. The coming years will see increasing investment into clean energy and low-carbon technologies, and the region is well placed to capitalise on the opportunity thanks to its wealth of experience, innovation, and engineering expertise.” The facility will bring together Nuclear AMRC and the University of Derby’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Manufacturing (IISE), to carry out research, innovation, supply chain development and teaching with the purpose of developing the skills and capability of businesses in the region and nationally. Professor Warren Manning, Provost – Innovation and Research at the University of Derby, said: “Co-locating our Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering with the Nuclear AMRC opens up new possibilities for our academics, who are already engaged in work to help achieve the UK’s decarbonisation and Net Zero goals in sectors such as rail and logistics.”

Exciting plans for Kings Mill Reservoir revealed

Tess Egginton
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0
Exciting plans for Kings Mill Reservoir revealed
Artist impressions have been released by Ashfield District Council showing the plans for a new leisure building at Kings Mill Reservoir. The new building will provide modern, accessible changing and storage facilities for  water sports on the ground floor, with a dedicated space for a restaurant on the first floor. The plans will support activities including sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and open water swimming at the reservoir. The new offering will allow more residents and visitors to Kings Mill Reservoir the opportunity to access water sports. The first floor of the new boathouse will be home to an 80-seat restaurant overlooking the water, taking advantage of the spectacular views of the reservoir. The new facilities are due to be completed during the summer of 2024. The new leisure facilities will complement the expansion of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Mill Adventure Base to include new outdoor activities which will be operational in 2023. The plans for the well-loved reservoir are just one of the 17 projects being funded by the £62.6m Towns Fund. The Council was successful in securing the funding from the government in June 2021, and since then have been developing business cases, designs, and plans for the planned projects. Cllr Matthew Relf, executive lead member for regeneration and corporate transformation, said: “The plans for Kings Mill Reservoir are extremely exciting. We can’t wait to be able to open up the offer of a variety of great new activities to visitors. The location of the new restaurant offering will be a fantastic addition to the reservoir, and will bring in even more visitors to Ashfield. “Last week we started work on the dilapidated Yorkshire Bank in Sutton as part of the Future High Streets Fund, and now we are in a position to be able to start releasing plans for the other projects. It is a thrilling time to be an Ashfield resident! “We want to hear from existing or new clubs, and/or individuals, who are keen to get involved in developing and running water sports activities at the reservoir. Please get in touch with the team if you are interested.”

BHP training programmes recruit record numbers

Michael Fisher
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BHP training programmes recruit record numbers
Award-winning accountancy firm BHP has recruited a record number of trainees over the course of the summer. The firm has welcomed 46 new starters across a number of teams including Audit and Accounts, Tax and Corporate Finance. They will be based in BHP’s offices in Sheffield, Chesterfield, Leeds, York and Cleckheaton. BHP’s training programmes take on recruits from a range of backgrounds, including university graduates, school leavers and those who are completing a year-in-industry placement. Trainees are encouraged to work hands-on within their departments and, once their training has been completed, many choose to remain with the firm on a permanent basis. This year’s intake of trainees is higher than BHP’s previous highest intake of 35, who joined the firm in 2020. It follows the firm’s Top 20 ranking in Accountancy Daily’s Top Training Firms of 2021. Lisa Leighton, Joint Managing Partner at BHP, said: “We’re exceptionally proud of our graduate and apprenticeship schemes, which have enabled us to develop and nurture countless trainees over the years, with some of them remaining with BHP ever since. “Investment in the growth and development of our people is crucial, not just for each individual but for the firm as a whole. With each intake of graduates, trainees and placement students, we’re widening the blend of skills, expertise and personality we can call upon – something that will only benefit our clients. I always enjoy watching our new starters grow and develop in their roles and I’m excited to see what our newest recruits can bring to BHP.” Louise Allen, Head of HR at BHP, said: “I’d like to offer a warm welcome to our new trainees and wish them well in their new roles. We’re passionate about providing opportunities to anyone seeking a career in accountancy and, at BHP, we’re very proud of the fact that we take on people from all backgrounds, from undergraduates and graduates to school leavers and career changers.”

Further growth for Nottingham marketing and PR agency

Tess Egginton
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0
Further growth for Nottingham marketing and PR agency
East Midlands marketing and PR agency, V Formation, has boosted its team with the appointment of Andy King as strategic marketing director and Joanne Clark as digital marketing executive. A veteran marketer with over twenty years’ experience across a range of sectors, Andy will spearhead strategic direction across several of V Formation’s key accounts and will use his wide-ranging business development expertise to help drive growth for the agency in the next phase of its ongoing expansion. Having worked with several big-name brands early on in his career, including Raleigh, Boots and Cow & Gate/Milupa, Andy spent the formative part of his professional development at Capital One, where, as marketing and brand specialist, he was responsible for running successful direct marketing campaigns and looking after the company’s internal brand activity. Andy then spent several years in senior marketing and communications roles for Remploy, a leading provider of specialist employment and skills support for disabled people, before taking on the role of commercial director at online florist and gifting company Bunches. He then moved into freelance contracting work, where he advised marketing departments for multiple charities and businesses, including Vision Express. Most recently, Andy has worked as head of marketing and fulfilment at Cambridge Sleep Sciences, a role he will continue alongside his work at V Formation. “V Formation is not your typical marketing agency that provides off-the-shelf services then leaves clients to it,” Andy explains. “The team is incredibly passionate about the work that V Formation does and brings heavyweight strategic insight and advice that adds real value to clients. “Being part of a team where everyone can make a real difference and see where they are adding value is something that excites me. I look forward to working with a range of clients on a variety of initiatives and supporting the agency as it begins its next phase of growth.” Joanne Clark also joins V Formation as digital marketing executive. Highly skilled in creating and implementing digital strategies, Joanne joins the company from Rock Fall Safety Boots, where she was responsible for content creation. Prior to this, she developed her digital marketing and e-commerce management capabilities at True North Sailing, CoMech Metrology and Sewing Online. As digital marketing executive at V Formation, Joanne will assist with the planning, execution and optimisation of digital marketing campaigns for the company and its clients and provide the team with regular insights into current and upcoming digital trends. Commenting on the new appointments, Sue Carr, director at V Formation, said: “With values that are completely in alignment with our own, Andy is a perfect fit for V Formation, and I am confident that his unbeatable skills and experience in the sector will bring enormous benefit to the business. “We’re also really pleased to welcome Joanne to the team. In the short time she has been with us, her creativity and flare for client communications is already shining through, and she has quickly become an integral part of V Formation’s digital team.” “We have made these appointments at a hugely exciting time for V Formation,” Sue explains, “2022 has been a landmark year for us – we celebrated V Formation’s fifteenth anniversary in business, expanded the team, and increased turnover by 27 percent – marking a record year to date. We are looking forward to working with more businesses to provide strategic marketing and PR support as our team continues to grow.”

£200m regeneration scheme takes another step forward as commercial units come to the market

Steve Fisher
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£200m regeneration scheme takes another step forward as commercial units come to the market
Commercial property consultancy Rigby & Co has been instructed by Grainger Plc to find occupiers for the two units at The Condor, the £37 million build-to-rent apartment scheme being constructed in Victoria Street. The scheme forms part of the £200 million Becketwell regeneration scheme, which is being delivered by St James Securities. Two ground floor units are available, sized 2,366 sq ft and 4,158 sq ft respectively. Both units are suitable for a variety of uses including retail, leisure, office and food and beverage services. Russell Rigby, managing director of Rigby & Co, said: “We are thrilled that the UK’s largest listed residential landlord has chosen Rigby & Co to find two commercial tenants for The Condor, which is already rapidly transforming the skyline of Derby city centre. “Having helped put the original deal together on behalf of St James Securities with Grainger, we have in-depth knowledge of the workings of the site and its enormous benefits and are already in discussions with a number of restaurants, cafés and other retailers who are keen to secure representation in the heart of the city centre.”
The two commercial units sit on the ground floor of the residential tower with frontage to Victoria Street, which links with the intersection of St Peter’s Street and the Cornmarket and will become a key destination within the heart of Derby city centre. Unit 1 benefits from full width frontage to the proposed new public square, which is scheduled for completion in March, with some external seating available. Both units will be ready for occupation at the end of Q1, 2023 when The Condor will reach practical completion. The Becketwell regeneration scheme is the most significant urban regeneration scheme in the city for more than three decades. It aims to create a vibrant, exciting, new quarter of residential, commercial leisure activity in the heart of Derby city centre. Phase one involves the delivery of The Condor, the city’s first ever purpose-built, build to rent scheme, which will be owned and operated by Grainger, along with the creation of the new multi-purpose public square. Phase two of the scheme includes a major £45.8 million 3,500-capacity performance venue, which will be operated by ASM Global. Future planned phases of the scheme include the potential for a range of other complementary uses of the site, including new grade A offices and commercial space, a hotel and multi-storey car park and purpose-built student residential. Mr Rigby said: “With Derby’s new 3,500 seat performance venue under construction alongside The Condor, the vibrancy and footfall around this site, at the heart of the historic core of the city centre, will radically change and improve over the next couple of years.”

Sustainability top of the agenda for Lincolnshire business

Michael Fisher
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Sustainability top of the agenda for Lincolnshire business
A Lincolnshire business created to improve the life experience of people with Parkinson’s has announced a raft of commitments to ensure its operations are environmentally sustainable. Since the inception of Eye Guide MC, a business based in Long Sutton, Spalding, husband and wife duo, Chris and Sandra McDonough have made it their mission to ensure the company didn’t add to the ever-increasing carbon footprint on the planet by sourcing locally, using recycled materials and going digital where possible. Sandra McDonough, inventor of the Eye Guide MC – a small, non-intrusive device which can control the symptoms of Parkinson’s – has Parkinson’s herself. Before she had the breakthrough for her invention, her illness stopped Sandra from enjoying the outdoors and exploring – which is why she is dedicated to preserving the planet and ensuring her business boosts its eco-credentials. Sandra said: “From the outset of making the Eye Guide MC, I was adamant we would do all we could as a company to ensure we didn’t increase our carbon footprint on the planet. “For those that know me, they know how important the environment is to me. I am passionate about reducing plastic waste, so this was one of the first things Chris and I considered at the start of our journey to becoming business owners.” The Eye Guide MC device arms are specifically made from recycled plastic, and the device itself is made with no wires to plug in or batteries to recharge, therefore not adding to energy consumption – there is also no need for surgery either, which means the Eye Guide MC is as non-invasive to you and to the environment as it possibly can be. The husband-and-wife duo were also keen to find a local manufacturer to create the device, as it would prevent any unnecessary travel and greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere. It also meant that the small Lincolnshire business was giving back to its community and supporting other local businesses. Sandra added: “There was no doubt in our minds that we wanted the product to be made as near to our HQ and clinic in Long Sutton as possible, so we opted for a family-run manufacturer in Kings Lynn, just 17 miles away.” Once the company had sourced a local manufacturer and knew the product arms were being made from recycled plastic, they turned to the next mission of ensuring the presentation boxes followed suit. Their navy-blue presentation boxes are also fully recyclable, and any leaflets and brochures that are supplied to customers are printed using recycled paper. Sandra commented: “Even small businesses like ours can have a positive impact and make small changes and actions that will make a big impact on our planet. Whether you cut down on paper, or just swap to recycled materials it’s all part of the bigger picture.”  

Ibstock and Earth Friendly Concrete form partnership to support ESG ambitions

Michael Fisher
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Ibstock and Earth Friendly Concrete form partnership to support ESG ambitions
Ibstock, a UK leading manufacturer of clay and concrete building products, and Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC) have entered into a new partnership to create ultra-low carbon concrete products. This exciting partnership supports Ibstock’s ambitious ESG targets. Having recently launched its ESG Strategy to 2030, Ibstock is committed to ‘Manufacture Materials for Life’ and improving the environmental performance of its products. Its milestone 2030 target is to achieve 20% of sales turnover revenue from new and sustainable products. With the built environment accounting for 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions, Ibstock is proactively seeking to develop new solutions with improved environmental performance. EFC is more sustainable than traditional concrete, with around 70% less embodied CO₂ saving 250kg of CO₂ per cubic metre poured. It is made from a binder consisting of industrial waste products, ground granulated blast furnace slag and pulverised fly ash with no Portland Cement. The partnership will see EFC’s ultra-low carbon, zero cement technology integrated into Ibstock’s diverse portfolio of high-performance building products for the construction industry, including its range of products for the rail, infrastructure and UK housing markets. The technology has performance advantages over Ordinary Portland Cement-based products including improved durability, lower shrinkage, higher flexural tensile strength and increased fire resistance and is the only zero-cement concrete technology that has been proven at scale on real life commercial projects across the world. Darren Waters, Chief Operating Officer at Ibstock, said: “As a business at the heart of building, our ambition is to be the most sustainable manufacturer of concrete products in the UK. Collaborating with EFC marks a significant step in achieving this goal as we collaborate and innovate to manufacture materials for life. “More than ever, customers are looking for products which offer great functionality but also have robust sustainability credentials. In 2020, the Ibstock concrete division invested in a new concrete laboratory at its site in Anstone, Sheffield, to facilitate the development of sustainable concrete that features reduced embodied carbon and therefore has a lower environmental impact. At this advanced facility, we are already developing and testing innovative new concrete mixhat incorporate EFC to ensure we achieve our own sustainability goals, as well as contribute to those of the wider sector, without compromising on quality or performance.” EFC UK Regional Manager Andy Izod said: “We are delighted to strengthen our presence in the UK through this partnership with Ibstock. We will not only focus on introducing Earth Friendly Concrete into the wider construction market across a range of projects, regions, applications and supply chains but will also share our ground-breaking technology with partners like Ibstock, which will help them to achieve ultra-low carbon outcomes for their business.” Since it was launched in 2020, EFC has saved around 2,000 tonnes of CO₂ across construction projects. It has been used in several high-profile projects including High Speed 2 (HS2) and Silvertown Tunnel.

Armsons Barlow expand team of quantity surveyors and project managers

Tess Egginton
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Armsons Barlow expand team of quantity surveyors and project managers
Derby-based project managers, construction cost consultants and building surveyors Armsons Barlow have strengthened their team with the appointments of Ryan Thompson and Gavin Hirst. Ryan joins Armsons Barlow as senior quantity surveyor and project manager from Geo Hodges & Son in Burton-on-Trent, where he spent ten years as a quantity surveyor. During his time with the building and civil engineering contractor, Ryan delivered a variety of schemes ranging in value from £10,000 to £3.7m across various sectors, including retail, industrial and manufacturing. Coming from a main contractor’s background, Ryan has a strong grounding in managing costs, from estimating through to final account stages, including tracking and appropriately valuing variations. Gavin joins the firm as a quantity surveyor and project manager from Loughborough-based Edward Cooper Young Chartered Surveyors, where he spent three years as a monitoring surveyor. He gained a broad range of experience, working on schemes across England and Wales – from small residential developments to large developments consisting of 400 plus dwellings. In their new roles, Ryan and Gavin will work alongside the Armsons Barlow team to deliver a diverse range of project management, employer’s agent, quantity surveying and cost management services to both private and public sector clients. Commenting on his new role, Ryan said: “It is an exciting time to be joining the business following the merger of Armsons and Barlow Associates. I hope my ten years’ experience working for a main contractor will stand me in good stead as I look to continue my professional development and integrate myself within the team. “In the short term I aim to achieve RICS membership and develop my portfolio of project deliveries from client side, continue to develop my professional aptitude and knowledge across a broad array of developments.” Gavin added: “I am thrilled to have joined Armsons Barlow, which has a fantastic reputation in the industry. I look forward to contributing my skills and experience to add value to the firm’s service offering. “I also have plans to gain my chartership in the near future, which will boost my skill set still further.” Sally Walters, director of Armsons Barlow, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Ryan and Gavin to the team. They have gained a tremendous amount of experience in their previous roles, working on high budget projects across the country. “In their new roles at Armsons Barlow, Ryan and Gavin will take on additional responsibilities and will work across a diverse portfolio of projects across a variety of sectors. “Our team all have significant experience in their respective areas, which enables us to provide clients with a consistently first-class service and achieve the most cost-effective delivery of their project objectives.”

New Company Director for Stepnell

Steve Fisher
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New Company Director for Stepnell
Construction company Stepnell has announced the promotion of long-standing employee Tom Sewell as the company’s newest director. This senior appointment will see Tom join Stepnell’s board of directors, following close to a decade of service at the company – joining as operations and commercial manager, before progressing to regional director for the East Midlands. As a regional director, Tom successfully supported the growth of Stepnell’s East Midlands office from 2014, leading the business unit from strength to strength over the years – from developing a strong team culture to securing a plethora of business development opportunities. Tom has supported many regional successes for Stepnell, including this year’s completion of a sports centre for Martin High School in the village of Anstey – which adds to the 32 Leicester schemes for Stepnell achieved over the course of the past 8 years. Most recently, Tom has been overseeing the fifth and sixth phases of improvement and expansion works to global HR, payroll and finance software company MHR’s Nottingham headquarters. In his new role, Tom will be assuming wider business responsibilities while continuing to lead the business in the region. Tom will also oversee the relocation of the Stepnell East Midlands office to a bigger and enhanced office space in the coming month. Tom said: “It has been incredibly fulfilling to grow Stepnell’s presence and project successes in the East Midlands. The growth witnessed has delivered great projects for our customers which we continue to measure through our Net Promotor Score, which is now 51 and continues to flourish. I thank the whole of the East Midlands team and every member of the region who has played their part. “As a newly appointed director, I now look forward to joining the board to contribute to the leadership of the business as Stepnell anticipates further growth, and to develop our teams, our culture and the service we provide to our clients accordingly.” Tom Wakeford, managing director at Stepnell said: “For close to a decade, Tom has made an incredible contribution that has really helped both the region and the business embed the right culture and values, through a strong focus on developing teams and team behaviour. Not only this, Tom was a big part of our recent success in securing a place on the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework. “Thanks to Tom’s many achievements and team-focused ethos, the board sees this promotion as a continuation of the business’ focus on the right culture, and we’re delighted to be working with Tom in this new director role.”

Leicestershire property developer expands into West Midlands

Steve Fisher
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Leicestershire property developer expands into West Midlands

William Davis Homes is opening a West Midlands office, as part of its ambitious business expansion plans.

The award-winning Leicestershire company has appointed a new West Midlands Land Director and two senior land and planning professionals to strengthen its growth strategy in the region.

The specialist team will be based in Warwickshire, giving William Davis a permanent presence in the West Midlands for the first time.
The 5-star housebuilder already has successful housing developments in Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire – and has secured a further 16 parcels of land across the West Midlands, with the potential to deliver thousands of new homes as well as creating new jobs and training opportunities. Guy Higgins, Managing Director of William Davis Homes, said: “Our aim is to build a pipeline of developments in the West Midlands to support our growth as a business, and we are actively seeking opportunities to acquire more land in the West Midlands. Having a dedicated team of land professionals based in the region will help with this.” The team is headed by Matt Colloby, who has been appointed as the company’s West Midlands Land Director. Matt has been with William Davis for more than 30 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this new role. He said: “This is an exciting challenge which brings a real opportunity to grow, build upon our existing operations and further strengthen relationships in the region. I am very much looking forward to growing the team over the next twelve months.” Also in the new West Midlands team are James Chatterton, Senior Planner and Andrew Morgan, who has recently joined the company as Senior Land Manager. They will be based at Waterloo Place in Leamington Spa from 1 October 2022. In the current financial year, William Davis is planning to build and complete the sale of more than 400 new homes at more than a dozen sites across the East and West Midlands.
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