New management team and ownership model for PLM Global
PLM Global, a Nottingham-based solutions provider specialising in the supply, repair and maintenance of hand-held data capture devices, mobile print and EPoS hardware, has begun life under a new management team and ownership model, with Shane Watson becoming CEO and majority shareholder.
This received the backing of SME Capital for funding, supported by local Nottingham companies, HSKSG Corporate Finance Specialists and Acton’s Solicitors.
As one of the founding shareholders, Shane has taken this business from strength to strength over the years, with the team at PLM Global enjoying eight years of rolling success.
The company, which started with just four employees now boasts 21 with a 200 + client list spanning six continents and various industries. They have also rocketed to a £4.5 million annual turnover.
Supporting Shane is Wayne Swallow, who will be taking on the role of chairman after being a non-exec in the company for the past 2 years. Wayne holds 30 years of experience in Retail Technology and Logistics, having held various roles, including Managing Director of Htec and IT director of Nisa.
The new executive team will be made up of Rob Alcock, who has been promoted to sales director, Leroy Stratford, whose role is head of finance, and Matt Leary, the operations manager.
Shane Watson, CEO, said: “I am absolutely delighted with this outcome, we have worked tirelessly to get PLM Global to the stage it is at today. With our experienced and strong-skilled Board of Directors, I have every faith that we will progress further.”
Hiring intentions remain strong despite recession fears
Hiring intentions among UK businesses remain strong despite a turbulent outlook across output and inflation, according to the latest Business Trends report from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO.
The BDO Employment Index soared to 114.79 in July, its highest level since January 2019, up 0.23 points on June. Staff shortages heightened by Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic have been driving a buoyant labour market as firms push hard to recruit. This can be seen in the unemployment rate which stood at 3.8% in the three months to May.
However, BDO’s Inflation Index shows no sign of slowing, reaching a further record high of 118.72. Growth was driven by increases across both the input inflation and consumer inflation indices, with the former recording its highest ever reading of 121.19 due to a weakening currency, supply side shortages and significant supply chain disruption.
This tough inflationary environment and the threat of a recession look to diminish employers’ hiring intentions towards the end of this year, mirroring the trend of decline that was seen by the Employment Index during the 2008 financial crisis.
In line with the decline in economic activity, BDO’s Optimism Index fell 0.30 points to 101.53, its lowest point since April 2021. While both the services and manufacturing subindices experienced a fall, the overall decline was driven mostly by the latter with a 0.69-point decrease.
Lower business confidence aligns with an overall dip in BDO’s Output Index, which remains below 100, the measure indicating long-term growth, for the second consecutive month. However, the Output Index posted a slight increase overall of 0.42 points in July to reach 98.66, led by an uptick in consumer activity across the manufacturing and services subcomponents.
Kyla Bellingall, partner and head of the Midlands at BDO LLP, said: “Reports of a less optimistic outlook are by no means surprising as the economy now faces the prospect of a recession towards the end of the year. Although it’s encouraging to see recruitment intentions remain strong, we know that talent shortages are an issue, with many businesses reporting they are struggling to find people with the right skills.
“Despite the current hiring activity, we’re likely to see demand for labour and the Employment Index decline later in the year, with employers devoting their resources to managing inflation, interest rate rises, and ever-growing energy costs.”
£8m Levelling Up boost for Grimsby to repair vital bridges and boost local industry
Vital bridges connecting Grimsby and Immingham will be repaired to boost the local key industries and tourism, prevent road closures and secure future jobs for the region, Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark has announced.
In the latest step to level up Grimsby, £8 million of funding has been confirmed to help fix damaged bridges along the A180 – a vital route that connects the region’s key ports, serves residents and tourists and provides an estimated £2.5 billion to the local economy’s Seafood Cluster each year.
The funding will prevent months of disruption and closures for residents, as well as making sure local industries can continue to grow and helping to create more skilled jobs in the area.
Grimsby was the pilot Town Deal area, and the Government has awarded over £45m through the Pilot and its flagship Towns Fund and Future High Streets programmes to support plans to renew and reshape the town centre. This includes plans to build 129 new high quality, low carbon homes in the town.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up Greg Clark said: “The work to level up vital towns like Grimsby requires acting on what local people say is important and acting on what local people want – including local infrastructure.
“The funding we are announcing today will provide a vital lifeline for Grimsby’s industry now and in the future and I am looking forward to seeing how our investment is helping local communities to flourish and further unlock the area’s potential.”
DLUHC arm’s length body, Homes England, will assist North East Lincolnshire council to develop plans to revitalise the town centre, including for the 129 homes on Garth Lane.
Cllr Philip Jackson, the leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I am delighted that our collaboration with Government on the levelling up agenda is bearing fruit. The key infrastructure investment announced today, as well as our work with Homes England, focused on Garth Lane and wider town centre regeneration, are essential elements of our drive to deliver sustainable local economic growth for our residents, our communities and our businesses. I look forward to our collaboration with Government continuing.”
Western School site housing development moves a step closer for Grimsby
An opportunity to create the housing development on the former Western School site has been released to tender this week.
The 22.9 acre brownfield site will eventually see a community of up to 297 properties including potentially one to four bedroom houses, including affordable housing and retirement dwellings. In a separate arrangement, the Council will also provide an extra care facility on the site.
The major ‘spine roads’ into the site and work to bring utilities to the site were completed last year and the Council is now looking for a developer to come forward for the project.
The site received outline planning permission in 2021.
One of the main features of the site is the planned sustainable drainage system. With the weather now being more unpredictable and extreme weather and rainfall more common, it is right that the site should have a sustainable drainage network.
The Former Western School and Playing Field site received funding from Homes England and the Accelerated Construction Fund, to provide enabling works including planning permission, spine roads and services up to the site.
Councillor Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’m really pleased to see this brownfield housing development progressing now. We know we need more housing, particularly starter houses and ones pre-adapted for our older population, in the borough. We have to get the balance right to meet the needs of our residents.”
The procurement process is a two-stage one, where interested developers can submit a selection questionnaire initially (with a deadline of Tuesday 13 September). Selected developers will then take part in a competitive dialogue, followed by an invitation to submit formal tenders to develop out the site.
It is expected that work could begin on the site as early as 2023.
Plans in for major mixed use scheme in Leicester
Plans have been submitted for a major new mixed use scheme in Leicester.
The development would involve the demolition of existing buildings at the adjacent sites of 150 St. Nicholas Circle and 3-5 Bath Lane, Leicester.
The application proposes the construction of a mixed-use development of student accommodation, ground floor retail accommodation and top floor private rental apartments, with associated communal, amenity and ancillary space.
The 4, 7 and 9 storey building would host 108 student studios, two three bed cluster flats and 11 four bed cluster flats, as well as two one bed private rental apartments.
A design statement submitted to the council says: “The site is a prominent location in the urban grain, at a gateway location to the city and at an important node in the road network. The existing buildings currently under-use the site in terms of use and contribution to the street scene.
“Their impact on the character of the area is mixed, the former bakery building is considered to make a positive contribution, but the single storey frontage of 150 St. Nicholas Circle and the associated 1990s building on Bath Lane to the rear are of low quality and ultimately make a poor contribution.
“The application proposes a comprehensive redevelopment of the site, with the demolition of the existing structures and the construction of a mixed-use development of student apartment accommodation, ground floor retail and top floor private rental apartments, together with associated communal, amenity and ancillary space.
“Proposals are intended to be in line with the planning context of the area, with aspirations of high quality design and usage that helps to enhance and regenerate the area.”
Green light recommended for Goose Gate student scheme
Plans redevelop and extend a former retail and office building in Nottingham to provide purpose built student accommodation and a commercial unit have been tipped for approval.
The proposals from Clarendon Nottingham relate to 38-46 Goose Gate, a thee storey building and a courtyard and parking area to the rear. The ground floor of the Goose Gate frontage was last used as a bar/restaurant.
The new development would provide 100 student bedrooms in a variety of studios and cluster flats on the upper floors, with shared recreation facilities, amenity space and cycle parking. The ground floor would host a commercial unit.
The project would involve retaining and converting the existing three storey building that fronts onto Goose Gate, while rear parts of the building, together with other buildings that front onto Woolpack Lane, would be demolished to allow redevelopment at the back of the site.
The development at the rear of the site would comprise a four storey extension immediately behind the retained Goose Gate building. This extension would increase in height to six storeys along the Woolpack Lane frontage but step down to five storeys towards Hockley House.
Strong trading momentum for Marks Electrical despite challenging market back-drop
Marks Electrical Group, the online electrical retailer, has reported a strong trading period for the first four months of its new financial year – against a challenging market back-drop.
According to an update for the four months ended 31 July 2022, revenue grew 13.7% to £27.7m, compared to £24.3m in the same period last year.
The Leicester-based business, which floated on AIM last year, said its strong performance was driven across categories but particularly in televisions, vacuum cleaners, washers & dryers, and air conditioning.
Mark Smithson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’ve started the year well despite a very tough market back-drop with the group’s sales for the first four months up 13.7% compared with the online MDA and CE markets being down over 20% in the first months of our FY23.
“We’ve seen strong competitive activity both in pricing and marketing, with heavy discounting of headline prices and higher cost per click marketing expenses. Despite this, we have maintained our tight control on inventory, cost management and disciplined capital allocation, ensuring we are in a healthy cash position and remaining focused on profitable market share gains.
“Our differentiated operating model, leading customer service and free next day delivery provides a unique offering that sets us apart from the competition. I’m proud of the performance our team has delivered in a very challenging market. Whilst the remainder of the year is difficult to predict, our focus on maintaining a market leading customer proposition and healthy cash flow provides us with the best platform to generate continued profitable market share growth.”
Celebrate outstanding property & construction businesses, projects and people at the unmissable East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Place the spotlight on exceptional businesses and projects, and reward the teams behind them, by submitting a nomination for East Midlands Business Link’s esteemed Bricks Awards before entries close on Friday 19 August.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards celebrate the region’s property and construction industry, its people, and outstanding developments. Award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of opportunities to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Thanks to our sponsors:
William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, reflected on winning an award at the 2021 event: “After being named Contractor of the Year at the British Demolition Awards at the start of September, we were absolutely thrilled to win the same accolade from the East Midlands Bricks Awards a few weeks later.
“The event is a real showcase for the regional property and construction sector and we are proud to be recognised for our project and service delivery expertise as a leading specialist contractor. It was a great night and provided an opportunity to catch up with some familiar faces as well as meeting new with the wonderful Trent Bridge Cricket Ground as a backdrop.
“Well done to the Cawarden team for continuously going above and beyond and maintaining high standards for our valued clients. Congratulations must also go to all the other awards finalists and award winners on the night.”
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
Well known Brigg Hotel sold to local business
The Exchange Coach House Inn and Tavern in Central Brigg has been acquired by the Hunt Group.
The historic Exchange Coach House Inn along with the Exchange Hotel and Exchange Tavern have been closed since 2020 and will be refurbished, renovated and fitted out by their property development business ahead of re-opening later this year.
Robert Smithson, associate director of Hotels Agency at Colliers advised Joseph Mullen on the sale after almost four decades of ownership, marketing the central Brigg complex for offers in the region of £950,000.
He said: “We are delighted to have advised Mr Mullen who successfully operated the business for the last 38 years. This sale highlights the strong levels of interest in regional UK hotels and in particular those which present a new owner with significant opportunities to grow trade in this post-pandemic market.”
Located across a large proportion of central Brigg, the property offers 42 ensuite bedrooms plus substantial public areas including four bars, two restaurants, several function/meeting rooms and an architecturally pleasing alfresco courtyard seating area. The original grade II* listed property was formally a gentleman’s club built in around 1760 and has been frequented by a number of local dignitaries as well as Winston Churchill during World War II.
Shaun Hunt, CEO of the Hunt Group, said: “The Hunt family are absolutely delighted with this acquisition and becoming the new custodians of this sizeable hotel and food and beverage complex in the very heart of the historic market town of Brigg.
“This is the family’s home town and we are committing ourselves to a very significant investment throughout the site. Whilst the ‘vibe’ in Brigg is already good we shall strive to make it even better, hopefully making Brigg the place to go in North Lincolnshire.
“This will undoubtably require the help, support and combined efforts of all local businesses, including all existing and new food and beverage operators. The plans for our own site currently includes a sports and live entertainment venue, large restaurant with gin bar, a more traditional pub bar, plus fully refurbished and updated ensuite bedrooms.”
Report shows support for LLEP Careers Hub from partners, employers and schools
The LLEP Careers Hub has been praised by careers leaders in a report setting out its impact – with value placed on the Hub’s practical approach to supporting local schools and colleges.
The Careers Hub, which is part of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), was established in 2018 with 20 trailblazer schools and colleges. It now works with all of the 91 secondary schools and colleges in its city and county.
The LLEP commissioned an independent report from Little Lions Research to coincide with the Hub’s third anniversary and research progress and impact made in careers provision at the original group of 20 schools.
It has now concluded that the Hub is valued by partners and stakeholders for its joined-up approach, providing strategic direction to local schools and colleges, and providing help with funding and peer networks.
Careers leaders were also positive about insights provided by the Hub into the local labour market, as it enabled them to design programmes relevant to the local economy.
Data shows that the LLEP Careers Hub was ahead of national averages in five of eight performance benchmarks when research was conducted at the start of the year.
There have been particular gains made in publishing careers programmes on school websites, involving governors in careers, and giving pupils meaningful encounters with FE colleges.
But the report notes that challenges remain, with four in five careers leaders reporting that they continued to face at least one barrier to further progress.
The three biggest challenges cited were lack of staff time, lack of funds and difficulties in tracking activities.
Andy Reed OBE, interim chair of the LLEP Board, said: “The report is really encouraging and shows the positive impact that strategic planning of careers resources is having in schools and colleges across our region.
“We know that there is more to be done and that the disruption of the Pandemic forced changes. However, it’s great to read about the value our careers leaders are placing on the Careers Hub’s offer.
“The Careers Hub is spearheading a joined-up approach, offering support with funding, and providing young people and careers leaders with genuinely useful information about the local labour market.”
Enterprise Advisers (EAs) are one of the ways that the Careers Hub is helping shape how schools and colleges embed practical labour market information and opportunities into their careers programmes.
EAs are industry volunteers who go into schools to offer the benefit of their first-hand experience of what industry really needs.
The report notes that 79% of careers leaders surveyed found the support and advice provided by local EAs to be useful and the LLEP is currently recruiting 10 more business representatives to act as volunteer EAs.
Gerarde Manley, LLEP Careers Hub manager, said: “Commissioning an independent report has been a really useful exercise in tracking gains made in our original cohort as the Careers Hub has grown from 20 to 91 of our schools and colleges.
“The report contains several recommendations for making further progress and these have been mapped to our strategic plan through to March 2023 and beyond.
“As a Careers Hub, we will continue to build capacity and listen to stakeholder feedback as we play our part in delivering the LLEP’s strategic priority of making Leicester and Leicestershire more inclusive for all.”
Extend your network at the East Midlands Expo
On Monday 14 November 2022 the East Midlands Expo will return, offering an ideal day for networking and business generation – meet more potential clients in one amazing cost effective day, than it would take months out on the road.
An established event of over 20 years, for which Business Link is a proud partner, the free to attend expo is well targeted and aimed at the construction, property, business, investment, finance, professional services and related B2B markets.
Taking place at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, the exhibition will open to attendees at 9am, with a seminar taking place between 10:45am and noon.
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.Council reveals outcomes of consultation into Victoria Indoor Market’s future
Nottingham City Council has published the outcome of its consultation into the future of Victoria Indoor Market.
The consultation was carried out between April and June this year after the council’s Executive Board agreed in January to review future options for the market’s operation, putting forward a proposal to end the lease.
The Victoria Indoor Market has been operating for over 50 years with significant council investment of £400,000 in the food hall in 2012. For many years the council has heavily subsidised the market’s operation – with the ongoing subsidy costs over the remaining 50 years of the lease agreement estimated to amount to £39m. This includes considerable investment of up to £10m to enable the market to perform effectively.
From 2015 costs outside the council’s control substantially increased and this, along with significant Government funding cuts to council grants and changes in shopping habits exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to the review. The six-week consultation was carried out online and through meetings with the public and traders, generating 630 responses.
Findings show that most respondents (143) supported the council continuing to run, subsidise and invest (88) in the market. The next most popular option (85) was to establish a council-run market at an alternative location, while 53 agreed with the council’s proposals.
Acting lead councillor for markets, Cllr Linda Woodings, said: “Our proposal to end the lease would save estimated running costs of £39m over the remaining 50 years of the current agreement, helping us to meet our duty to deliver value for money for local taxpayers.
“As expected, feedback from the consultation showed there is a great deal of affection for the market, with many respondents wanting the council to continue the market’s operation and subsidy and to carry out further investment.
“We have considered the feedback from the public, traders and the landlord. Following a review of the options in light of the consultee responses, the council’s officers are likely to recommend the council ends its lease and operation of the Victoria Market. We understand this would be a huge disappointment not only for customers and the wider public, but especially for traders at the market.
“We will now embark on further engagement with all traders and the landlord, before a final recommendation is made to councillors for a decision.”
Castle Gym memberships soar despite uncertain future in battle with developers
A Nottingham gym facing “the fight of its life” has been boosted by a major membership and day-visit surge, as it continues to battle with developers over the future of the venue.
Established in 1981, Castle Gym on Caste Boulevard has looked after the health and wellbeing of its members for over 40 years and was seeing a return to pre-pandemic popularity this year.
Sadly, that recovery is now under threat after owner Luke Willmott confirmed rumours that the site has been sold by developers who then reneged on initial plans to keep the gym at the site.
However, as news of the battle reached the local community, Luke says that membership enquiries have risen over 25%, whilst day visits have doubled.
“It is incredible to feel this groundswell of support to be honest,” said Luke.
“We know we have a very loyal customer base as we’re more of a community gym with a ‘tribe’ of followers, not just a room full of steel. We’ve had to be very clear with the membership requests that we don’t know what the future holds but that hasn’t been an issue as we can offer flexible rates and the day visits have gone through the roof.
“That has been a combination of new faces coming to train and some folk we’ve not seen in a while, as a lot of people switched to training at home in the pandemic. It is great to have them here and really heartening to have their backing as this is a really challenging time for us all, logistically, financially and most of all, emotionally.”
Whilst membership and visitor numbers are bright, the future is still clouded as Luke continues to work behind the scenes with the developers to find a best way forward for everyone.
“The battle continues,” says Luke. “I’ve had a lot of supportive messages from the local fitness and business community which has buoyed us all and I will fight tooth and nail to secure the future of the gym in some form. What form that takes remains to be seen.
“That takes a lot of careful planning and consideration and is not something I will be railroaded into by anyone, let alone a developer from outside of the city who is just seeing a yield opportunity on a site that has been here for four decades serving the local community.”
Environmental services group makes first acquisition with Nottingham firm
Cura Terrae, the new environmental services group backed by Palatine’s Impact Fund, has made its first acquisition since its creation in March.
The deal is a strategic bolt-on for Cura Terrae group company Envirocare, which has bought S I Environmental, an established occupational health consultancy based in Nottingham, expanding its presence in the East Midlands alongside its existing bases in Bradford, Brackley (Northants) and East Kilbride in Scotland.
S I Environmental was established in 2000 and has a strong market reputation and a number of specialist and experienced staff; some with over 30 years’ experience in occupational hygiene monitoring.
Greg Holmes, investment manager at Palatine, said: “We are delighted to have completed this first strategic acquisition so soon after the formation of Cura Terrae. We have a strong pipeline of further acquisition opportunities and we look forward to continuing to support Pete and the team to build a more sustainable future.”
CEO of Cura Terrae, professor Peter Skipworth, said: “The formation of Cura Terrae has given our market-leading businesses a unique opportunity to grow and expand, in terms of the services they offer, the expertise and resources at their fingertips, their geographical coverage, and the quality of their customer service.
“I’m really pleased that our flagship occupational hygiene company, Envirocare, has acquired S I Environmental, and it’s another valuable addition to our family tree, complementing our shared mission to offer services and solutions to help take care of the Earth, and help our clients work towards a more sustainable future.”
This acquisition was also backed by Shawbrook Bank.
Cura Terrae and Envirocare were advised Megan Atack and team at Freeths and S I Environmental was advised by Hopkins Solicitors.
Carl Renshaw, Managing Director of S I Environmental, said: “It was important to find the right home for S I, where the business and its staff could continue to thrive, and that shared our commitment to providing high quality customer service. I believe we’ve found that in Envirocare and we’re excited to become part of the wider Cura Terrae family as we align firmly with their mission to ‘look after the Earth’.”
EV Technology Group to open EV Centre of Excellence in Silverstone
EV Technology Group has entered into terms with MEPC Silverstone Park, securing a 90,000 sq ft industrial lease at the historic motoring site.
The new facility comprises EV Technology Group’s EV Centre of Excellence, and has been constructed by MEPC, and is a part of MEPC’s latest 265,000 sq ft development at Silverstone Park.
It follows the recent announcement of the proposed acquisition by EV Technology Group of Fablink Group Holdings Limited, a tier one contract manufacturer in the United Kingdom, who operate seven manufacturing and assembly sites with over 750 employees. Fablink operates its ‘Streamline Automotive’ Division, which services the increasing demand in the U.K. for contract vehicle assembly services, especially in the electric vehicle sector.
The new Silverstone facility will allow EV Technology Group and its subsidiaries to rapidly expand electric vehicle manufacturing and assembly capacity, supporting its vision of electrifying iconic brands.
As EV Technology Group looks to expand its house of brands, this facility will be home to the company’s electric vehicle engineering and development hub, whilst also providing world class facilities for Streamline Automotive for vehicle assembly and finishing.
Wouter Witvoet, CEO and founder of EV Technology Group, said: “Silverstone has been the home to many iconic motoring stories – and our future electrifying iconic brands here will be part of its next chapter. The site’s location puts us in the heart of the booming UK EV industry, and will allow us to scale manufacture and assembly of electric brands such as the iconic MOKE.”
Life science group to acquire Nottingham firm in £415m deal
Nottingham-based Albumedix has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by life science group Sartorius, a leader in laboratory and bioprocessing technologies for the biopharmaceutical industry.
Through this acquisition, Albumedix and Sartorius expand their solution space with complementary technologies and synergetic competencies, to deliver science-enabled solutions for the entire advanced therapy value chain.
The company will continue to be led by Albumedix’ CEO Jonas S. Møller and its Executive Management team.
Albumedix will become part of the Bioprocess Solutions Division within Sartorius, with the growing Albumedix Campus in Nottingham being established as a centre of excellence in Sartorius dedicated to bio-innovation and GMP-compliant manufacturing of critical raw materials.
Sartorius will look to rapidly invest in the expansion of Albumedix’ innovation capacities.
Jonas S. Møller, CEO of Albumedix, said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Sartorius and look forward to accelerating our ambitious growth plans in delivering critical solutions to our global customers.
“We have been highly impressed with Sartorius’ knowledge and capabilities in the bioprocessing markets, and we are excited to join this purposeful journey. We believe Sartorius will bring tremendous value by strengthening our market reach and broadening our innovation capacity, as well as significantly scaling up our existing platform. We look forward to continuing our promise of empowering excellence in the life science industry.”
René Fáber, member of the Executive Board for the Bioprocess Solutions Division of Sartorius, said: “Albumedix will be an important addition to Sartorius’ advanced therapy solutions, particularly regarding our cell culture media business, as it will enable us to strengthen our position as a relevant supplier of innovative chemically defined media and critical ancillary materials.
“This market offers high growth potential due to the increasing regulatory requirements as well as rising demand for the use of recombinant human albumin in near-patient applications. Albumedix will also add important formulation excipients to our vaccine production solutions, allowing us to expand our existing customer relationships and forge new ones.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Sartorius, through its French listed subgroup Sartorius Stedim Biotech, will acquire all outstanding shares of Albumedix Ltd. for an agreed purchase price of approximately £415 million. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close before the end of the third quarter of 2022.
William Blair acted as financial advisor to Albumedix, and Eversheds Sutherland provided legal counsel. Milbank LLP provided legal counsel to Sartorius.
Derbyshire land parcel sold for delivery of 73 new houses
Harworth Group, a regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, has completed the sale of an eight-acre land parcel at Woodville, Derbyshire to Barwood Homes for the delivery of 73 new houses. This represents Harworth’s first transaction with the Northampton-based housebuilder.
The land parcel forms part of a 53-acre regeneration site which is owned by Beepart Ltd, part of Dyson Group, the Sheffield-based former manufacturer of industrial materials. Harworth is promoting the site on its behalf through a Planning Promotion Agreement.
In April 2022, South Derbyshire District Council granted outline consent for the creation of up to 300 homes on the site, in addition to a c.30,000 sq ft local centre with convenience retail and leisure amenities and over 150,000 sq ft of employment space for a range of uses.
The wider site has been unlocked by the delivery of Derbyshire County Council’s Woodville to Swadlincote Regeneration Route, which opened to traffic in December 2021, providing better access to Swadlincote and traffic relief in Woodville, as well as improved connectivity across the site. Preparation works will commence shortly for the next phases of residential and employment land sales at the development.
Ed Catchpole, regional director – Yorkshire & Central, Harworth Group plc, said: “This sale is a fantastic start to the development at Woodville and we are pleased to welcome Barwood Homes to the site, who will deliver high quality new housing for the local community.
“Our focus is now on bringing forward the rest of the development, utilising our extensive experience in the remediation of complex sites, including earthworks and infrastructure, to ready the remaining residential and employment land.”
Luke Simmons, Managing Director – Barwood Homes, said: “We are delighted to be working alongside Harworth on this exciting development. The team is looking forward to engaging with the local community as we gear up to deliver a scheme of excellent quality in design, build and service.”
Gavin Rosson, Managing Director – Dyson Group, said: “This first sale of a residential portion of the site is an important step in unlocking the full development potential of the whole, something we have been trying to achieve for many years.
“Such development will help regenerate Woodville and the surrounding area, somewhere we have had a presence since 1967 and are delighted to participate in.”
Beepart Ltd was advised by Titchmarsh & Bagley and Fisher German.
£11m investment bid submitted for Hucknall
Ashfield District Council has submitted an ambitious £11 million bid to the governments’ Levelling Up Fund for the revitalisation of Hucknall town centre.
The bid is made up of three main projects:
Skills and Economic Regeneration
- Supporting the Council’s Education and Skills Strategy which sets out intentions to ensure Ashfield has a skilled, future-proof workforce
- Opportunities for shopfront improvement grants to help businesses to improve the exterior of their premises, and start up grants to enable new businesses to flourish
- Exploring ways to expand Hucknall’s successful outdoor markets
- Celebrating Hucknall’s heritage by creating a new visitor experience at St Mary Magdalene Church focusing on Hucknall’s most famous residents from the past
- Improvement of the streets, roads, and public space around the Byron Cinema to create a welcoming entrance into Hucknall town centre
- A new 3G sports pitch for residents
- Enhancements to signs, along with the creation of a digital app, to improve access to the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists. This will assist and encourage residents and visitors to travel around Hucknall using more sustainable, healthier methods
- Improved comfort and welcome facilities at the train/tram station
Commonwealth Games bronze medal for Northants senior estimator
A senior estimator at Northamptonshire’s Bhangals Construction Consultants, has scooped a much-coveted bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games 2022.
Kieran Rollings, 22, took third place for England in the Lawn Bowls contest, which saw him play alongside his partner – the aptly named Craig Bowler – at Royal Leamington Spa as part of the competition, which was watched across the world.
It is the second time that the athlete, who lives in Kettering, has competed in the Commonwealth Games, becoming the youngest ever Lawn Bowls participant in 2018, when the event was held on the Gold Coast in Australia.
2018 was also the year that he started his role at construction consultancy Bhangals.
Kieran said: “My colleagues have been so supportive and are really proud of what I’ve achieved. Everyone wanted to see the medal when I came into the office! It’s the second Commonwealth Games for me and to come away with a bronze on home soil is pretty good! I’m super proud.
“In a sport like ours, we don’t get a lot of funding so we all have to work. Funnily enough, a lot of the England team are in construction and we worked out that between us all we could build a house!”
Kieran was inspired by his grandfather to take up Lawn Bowls in 2011, when he was looking for a hobby to fill his spare time.
“I took up the sport and loved it from the first day I played,” said the medallist, who has been playing the sport internationally since 2015.
The selection process for the national team begins 18 months before an event takes place. The nation’s finest are whittled down over the following months until the squad is a team of just four players. Kieran and Craig are this year’s top two.
“It’s so nice to be selected for a home game,” said Kieran. “It doesn’t come round very often. It is an honour, a privilege, and a source of great pride. To compete for your country is unbelievable. There is enormous pressure to do well but you are representing your whole nation. We had the whole country behind us, and I was so proud to be out there.”
Bhangals Construction Consultants Managing Director Parm Bhangal said: “Kieran winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games is an incredible achievement, especially at such a young age. Kieran is a highly valued, hardworking member of the Bhangals team who always strives to do well. We are immensely proud of him and will continue to support all his athletic ambitions with great gusto.”
Reward your team and bolster morale at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Celebrating the region’s property and construction industry, and offering a prime opportunity for networking, the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards will return on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.
Nominations for the event are open, and now is the perfect time to make your submissions, ahead of next week’s deadline (Friday 19 August), to shine a light on your team, reward their hard work, and boost morale.
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
