Derby-based Specialist Contractor Cawarden has made substantial strides in reducing its carbon emissions – achieving a 67% reduction overall so far. The reduction has been achieved in just ten months following an emissions audit and the successful trial of a new eco fuel, Green D + HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). The fossil-free, paraffinic fuel made from 100% renewable raw materials is made from waste fats and vegetable oils, making it a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to diesel. Based on the success of the initial trial last year, a phased transition and roll-out of HVO across Cawarden’s extensive fleet of industry-leading excavators and site machinery has been taking place. HVO has the potential to eliminate up to 90% of net carbon dioxide compared to diesel and without any modifications to existing engines. It also significantly reduces nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide emissions. Cawarden has been working collaboratively with commercial fuel and lubricant supplier, New Era Fuels, and was one of the first companies to sign a 12-month contract for the supply of 300,000 litres of fuel. The initiative is all part of Cawarden’s de-carbonisation journey and supports clients in reducing the carbon footprint of their projects.  It also matches guidance released in 2021 by the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) which recommended its members switch to HVO fuel as a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to white diesel. Cawarden is committed to reducing its impact and achieving its net-zero target – a commitment that has been cemented by joining the SME Climate Hub and signing up to The Climate Pledge – a formal commitment to reach net-zero by 2040, or 10 years ahead of the government’s target. The Environment Agency, which introduced Cawarden to the De-Carbonisation Project partnership, was recently invited by Cawarden to visit one of their South Derbyshire demolition sites.  It was an opportunity to learn more about the progress and achievements to date. Jonathan Groves, Cawarden’s quality director, said: “To put it into context, we’ve saved the equivalent emissions of 94 single flights to Sydney, Australia, or 1,072 metric tonnes of carbon – so far.  It’s enormous progress in such a short amount of time and it was great to invite the Environment Agency to site so they could see our machines in action – all powered by HVO. “Reducing our impact on the environment is an ethos that has underpinned the business and the Cawarden Family has stood by it for almost four decades. “Through our De-Carbonisation Project partnership with the University of Derby, Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils, which we joined in 2020, we have a clear road map, recording and monitoring regime for our net-zero journey. The roll-out of HVO and achievements in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions is a major step forward – and it will complement other initiatives we have in the pipeline to decarbonise the business.” Victoria Prowse, regulated industry officer at the Environment Agency, said: “Cawarden has made a significant step forward in its de-carbonisation journey, and it was great to learn more about and see first-hand how they are decarbonising their day-to-day operations. We hope that through their work they inspire other firms to follow their lead. I would like to thank them for inviting us along to learn more about their initiative.” While this is a positive step towards cleaner environmental ambitions, such a notable change also presents challenges – a major transition that needs to be planned and managed carefully. Jonathan concluded: “HVO has been a great success in delivering positive change by reducing our emissions. We see this as part of the future for our Industry, linked with the development of cleaner engines by plant manufacturers. But we can only continue making strides in scaling up our HVO usage if the recent price increases in HVO return to being closer to white diesel. Currently, HVO receives the same duty and VAT as white diesel, so we look forward to the Government incentivising this greener fuel rather than making it a more expensive option. “As a business, we’re keen to explore HVO alternatives and other innovations such as hydrogen or alternative powered plant and machinery, but we can only do so once they are available to our industry.”

‘We are Padel’ is a new sports brand being launched across the UK and Derbyshire-based full service marketing agency Purpose Media has been appointed to create the digital marketing strategy to grow audience participation and profile of the new brand. Padel is also coming to a new centre in Derby at the former Powerleague centre in Pride Park and has been appointed to host the 16th European Championship Qualifier Event between Friday 30th Sept – Sunday 2nd October which will attract teams from all over Europe. The Great Britain teams that will take on the best in Europe at these Championships was named recently and 17 male teams and 13 female teams will be competing in Derby, with British No.1 Tia Norton leading the British challenge. Padel is a mix between tennis and squash: The aim is to play the ball over the net, but unlike tennis, players can use the walls surrounding the court to return the ball to their opponents. Purpose Media is inviting local businesses to attend a special event on Thursday 29 September so they can try the new sport and have a chance to learn more about how to play. Commenting, Grace Golden, client service director at Purpose Media, said: “Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the world enjoyed by David Beckham, Andy Murray and Lionel Messi, but there’s a chance many will not yet have heard of it and our aim is to change this by implementing co-ordinated social media, PR, and email marketing strategies.” Rosco Muller, country manager from ‘We are Padel’, said: “Our focus is on fun and community. We are committed to creating the best setting for players to enjoy their matches, events and celebrations. We are looking for more suitable venues across the UK and expect interest to grow very quickly with the support from the team at Purpose Media and other partners that are helping us to increase the profile of this exciting new sport.”

Taking place on Thursday 15 September, there’s not long left to secure your seat at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022. Recognising and celebrating those behind the changing landscape of our region – the very best companies, teams, individuals and projects – the event showcases the exceptional work carried out across the East Midlands over the past 12 months. The awards also present a perfect networking opportunity, with the leaders of property and construction businesses from across the East Midlands in attendance. Attend the glittering awards ceremony at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agent of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner.

Tickets can be booked here.

The event will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm. It will also feature John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Complementary drinks and canapés will be served on arrival. Dress code is standard business dress.

Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022

Most Active Agent – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors Mather Jamie OMEETO BB&J Commercial Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by Frank Key Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Etiquette Park – Clowes Developments Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service joint HQ – Henry Brothers Responsible Business of the Year – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Cawarden Arc Partnership Phoenix Brickwork Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance The Rise, Southwell – Stagfield Group Glenvale Park – Glenvale Park LLP Hindle House – KMRE Group Deal of the Year – sponsored by Blythin & Brown Insurance Brokers St James Securities – Phase Two of the Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby – 3,500 capacity Becketwell performance venue with ASM Global Wells McFarlane, APB and Newton LDP – sale of 460 acres of land in North Leicestershire, making way for a new garden village Morgan Industrial Properties Limited – acquisition of the former Ewart Chain site in Shaftesbury Street, Derby Developer of the Year – sponsored by Ward Hockley Developments St James Securities HBD Architects of the Year – sponsored by OMS Swain Architecture Rayner Davies Architects CPMG Architects Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden  St. Peter’s Gate renovation – CPMG Architects Health and Allied Professions Centre at Nottingham Trent University – Pick Everard Brookside Farm – Chevin Homes Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Refurbished HQ for LKAB Minerals – Scenariio Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre – Chesterfield Borough Council, Whittam Cox Architects, Robert Woodhead Group Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Contractor of the Year – sponsored by RammSanderson Galliford Try Construction Cawarden Enrok Construction The Overall Winner, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000. Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

To be held at:

470 jobs were created at Markham Vale last year in one of the largest ever annual totals recorded at Derbyshire County Council’s flagship industrial and logistics scheme near Chesterfield.

Markham Vale is a 200-acre joint venture development between property developer HBD and Derbyshire County Council. It is one of the region’s landmark schemes, attracting new businesses and creating thousands of new jobs.

2,702 new jobs have been created at the development to date, with the latest figures demonstrating its impact in driving investment and supporting the region’s post-Covid recovery.

Derbyshire County Council recently had its efforts recognised by Local Government Chronicle, being shortlisted in the Economic Support category in the upcoming 2022 LGC Awards.

Richard Hinds, development surveyor at HBD, said: “Markham Vale is a hugely successful scheme and plays an important role in supporting the region’s economy, which is more important than ever as the region recovers from the pandemic and the many challenges that brought.

“2021 was another strong year for Markham Vale – we completed two zero-carbon buildings totalling more than 300,000 sq ft, Daher Aerospace moved into a new 55,000 sq ft unit, and a landmark deal was secured with Gridserve to create Derbyshire’s first EV charging station.

“We’re very proud of what our joint venture has achieved at Markham Vale to date and we look forward to welcoming more innovative, forward-thinking businesses to Derbyshire.”

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for clean growth and regeneration, Councillor Tony King said: “These figures are very reassuring and a strong sign that businesses are starting to recover from the pandemic.

“Markham Vale plays a key role in helping to deliver on our commitment to building a strong, diverse, and green economy by creating jobs for local people and attracting local, national, and international businesses.

“As well as welcoming several new businesses to the site last year including Gallery Direct and Daher Aerospace Limited, we saw sustainable packaging firm Smurfit Kappa expand to another unit and we’re looking forward to seeing Markham continue to grow and welcoming even more businesses to the site in the future.”

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) will expand into London in 2023 with the creation of a new campus dedicated to delivering pioneering creative education aligned to the entertainment industries. This development enhances considerably NTU’s capacity to support social mobility as a growing generation of young people in London and South-East look to enter vocational education to launch them into their careers. The campus will be based around an expansion of NTU’s Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, located in Whitechapel, London’s centre for the creative industries. Students looking to forge a future in the entertainment industries will be able to study hands-on courses in performance, production and business for the music industries, event management, and emerging technologies such as esports, virtual production, and content creation. Courses will be open to both UK and international students, with undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications available. Confetti has delivered leading edge creative industry education since 1994, whilst creating a unique suite of commercial businesses that supports the student learning experience. These include Metronome, a music and events venue, and Confetti X, a complex dedicated to esports production which recently hosted the Commonwealth Esports Championships qualifiers. NTU’s London campus will replicate that model, creating a multipurpose live events venue for students to learn and work in. Reflecting the course offer in Nottingham, the student experience will be underpinned by a proven curriculum, world-class learning opportunities, and extensive industry connections. This will allow students from campuses in Nottingham and London to collaborate on live projects, access work experience across the UK, and spend parts of their study across both campuses. It will offer new progression routes for Confetti college-level students from Nottinghamshire to study in one of the world’s leading commercial, financial, and cultural centres. This ambitious plan will be strengthened by the relocation of Access Creative College’s London centre onto the same campus. The UK’s largest independent training provider, specialising in creative education, will provide its students with the opportunity to continue their studies in London through NTU. Work on the 35,000 sq ft campus is now underway, with the first intake of students scheduled for September 2023. Professor Edward Peck, CBE, NTU vice-chancellor, said: “Confetti London supports NTU’s vision of generating new innovations in teaching and new partnerships for practice that build on our sector leading, industry-based approach. It will offer easy access for students in London and the South-East to the opportunities to transform their futures that have been available to those in the East Midlands for twenty five years. “We look forward to working with local communities and businesses in preparing for our new students in 2023.” Craig Chettle MBE, founder and Chief Executive of Confetti, said: “Since its creation, Confetti’s vision has been to shape the future creative industries by cultivating dynamic, entrepreneurial and imaginative graduates. Thanks to the support from NTU, creating a campus in London demonstrates our ambitions and ongoing commitment to that vision. “I see the campuses in Nottingham and London working in tandem, creating exciting links and opportunities across the entertainment industries for all our students in both cities. Nottingham will always be our first home, but I’m excited to see the new opportunities that a London base will provide for the University, Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands.”

What is believed to be the oldest gym in Nottingham is set to close. Established in 1981, Castle Gym on Castle Boulevard has looked after the health and wellbeing of its members for over 40 years. Now, following a running battle over the future of the site, owner Luke Willmott has confirmed that the doors of the iconic facility will open for the last time in December. “It is a really sad day. I’ve fought tooth and nail for this gym and we’ve even had membership enquiries increasing during this battle which makes this even more painful but sometimes, you do have to accept that you can’t win them all. “I have tried every conceivable angle to keep us here and fought for the other tenants during this fiasco but there is only so much you can do and frankly, only so much I can take from a financial, emotional and stress point of view. “The bit that pains me the most though is that whilst I can feel the impact on my own mental health, I know that a lot of our members and day-users train with us because the gym is hugely beneficial in that respect. “People see gyms, especially the more ‘raw’ experiences like ours, as a place to build muscle but they are also massive in terms of mental health benefits and their sense of community. That will be missed when we close in December and does worry me. It’s a home from home and a place to grow and improve for so many.” During the pandemic, Luke attracted controversy and praise in equal measure, at first vowing not to shut the gym as it was so central to the wellbeing and mental health of its members (before closing after reviewing the situation carefully) and then working with local charities to provide thousands of bottles of hand sanitiser to those most in need. “Look, we’re a lot more than a room full of iron. We’re a community. One of our team, Ray, has been working here ever since the gym opened! He knows everyone here and everything about getting and keeping healthy. It is the end of an era here for him and for our members. “I am now reluctantly focusing on how best to close the gym down as there is a heck of a lot of kit in here but there’s even more stories. That’s what we will all miss the most I think, the people not the plates. I can only apologise that I’ve not been able to save it for them.”

Glowfrog Video Production have launched their 2022 showreel advert, which includes some East Midlands Business Link readers’ videos. The showreel contains some of their highlight footage from their past year of working with companies across the East Midlands, such as Create Finance in Derby and Albion Bathrooms in Burton. See the difference that professional video production can make – you can watch Glowfrog’s new showreel below. If you would like more information either visit www.glowfrogvideo.com or call 01332 492 465.