Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has announced a new regional managing partner for the Midlands.
Audit partner Kyla Bellingall takes over the role from 1 July 2022 and will oversee the 450-strong audit, tax and advisory team across the region.
Joining the firm six years ago, Kyla initially focussed on building a portfolio of large complex charity, university, and housing clients. In 2020 she took over the leadership of BDO’s Midlands audit practice and has driven transformation of the group as well as double digit growth in revenue and headcount. The now 150 strong team of audit professionals lead the AIM market in the Midlands and focus heavily on the entrepreneurial mid-market and listed businesses.
BDO, which has offices in Birmingham and Nottingham, has experienced strong growth in the Midlands, increasing headcount in the region by 20% over the past 12 months. A key part of this expansion has been developing specialist teams within the region with the skills, attributes and experience to help clients succeed.
In her new role, Kyla will be responsible for spearheading the future strategy and vision for the region with support from 28 partners based in the Midlands, as well as BDO’s wider business.
The firm is continuing its investment in people locally, having welcomed 35 new trainees in 2021. Another 50 trainees are set to join in September and over 140 employees have been promoted in the last 12 months, including 40 at the start of this month. Kyla succeeds Richard Rose, who will continue in his role as a Midlands tax partner.
Commenting on the news, Kyla said: “As a firm we’ve experienced strong growth against in a period of significant change over the past two years. I’m proud to be leading a team of multi-discipline specialists who have the agility and breadth of skills to truly meet our client’s needs from the Midlands.
“What sets BDO apart is our people and culture. As well as our own talented teams, this extends to the brilliant ambitious and entrepreneurially minded clients that we advise. I look forward to working with our people to achieve their own ambitions while helping clients navigate the ever-changing backdrop and reach their goals.”
Richard Rose added: “We have a fantastic team in the region and Kyla is the perfect appointment to continue to develop this further – I wish her every success in her new role.”
BDO has also appointed two partners to its national leadership team. Anna Draper, head of BDO in the South East and Kaley Crossthwaite, head of forensic and valuation services, will replace Wendy Walton and Jon Randall who both retire from their roles at the firm.
Works on a new, state-of-the-art fire station for Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service have recently been completed by Midlands-based main contractor, G F Tomlinson.
Located at the Vesuvius development off Sandy Lane in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, the new facility has replaced the former fire station which was built in 1963 and located at Eastgate.
A ceremony to mark the official opening of the new station took place on Monday 16 May – it was formally opened by representatives from Nottinghamshire County Council including Councillor Michael Payne, chair of the fire authority, and Councillor Sybil Fielding, fire authority member and councillor for Worksop West.
Plans for the scheme were submitted by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service at the beginning of last year and approved by Bassetlaw District Council. The scheme forms part of the wider Vesuvius development – a multi-million-pound redevelopment which aims to become the prime industrial and business location in Worksop, with a mix of light industrial units, food and drinks outlets and office spaces planned, the first phase of which completed last summer.
G F Tomlinson has been working closely with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s project management consultants, Turner & Townsend, on the programme of works.
Built with the latest renewable technology, the new fire station has the capacity to self-generate up to 50% of its energy consumption. The building comprises of meeting rooms, offices, fire engine bays and a gymnasium for firefighters. An external three-storey training tower and compound store has also been built, as well as new car parking spaces and external landscaping.
Kevin Dodds, construction director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We really enjoyed attending the opening ceremony of this impressive new facility. It has been a real pleasure working collaboratively alongside Nottingham Fire & Rescue Service and their consultant team to successfully deliver this vital service for the local community.
“The fire station itself is completely state-of-the-art meaning that it is not only incredibly energy efficient, but it provides the best possible facilities for firefighters to carry out their critical work and serve the surrounding Bassetlaw community. This project represents a huge investment for the local area and we are thrilled with the final result.”
Terry Scott, head of procurement and resources at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I am very proud to be a part of the opening of this state-of-the-art new fire station, which is now our “flagship” property within the Estate. We have provided a fantastic working environment for our staff to best serve the local community of Worksop and the wider Nottinghamshire County. I would like to thank the whole project team on what has been a very successful project.”
Nottingham-based contract research organisation (CRO) Reach Separations has reported a significant increase in turnover in the wake of sustained demand across Europe for its chromatographic purification services.
Reach Separations, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, specialises in chromatography for the analysis and purification of small molecules.
When Reach Separations was founded ten years ago, its team of four people took on one small laboratory at BioCity, Nottingham. The company now occupies three large laboratories and office space at BioCity, having expanded its facilities by an additional 1600 square foot in 2020.
To facilitate the rising demand for its services, Reach Separations is set to open a new facility in Strasbourg, France later this year, which will accommodate a new team of scientists supporting purification activities in mainland Europe.
Reach Separations employs 20 people and has further plans for recruitment across its facilities in the UK and France this year.
“Since our inception, demand for our services has rocketed,” explains Peter Ridgway, Business Development Director at Reach Separations. “Passing the 10-year milestone is an incredible achievement for us. We are entering a new, exciting phase of development for the company. Introducing large scale purification capabilities and extending our presence into mainland Europe will only enhance this growth trajectory.”
Managing Director of Reach Separations Duncan Cliff, says: “Over the last decade, it has been a privilege to be able to use our expertise and technologies to support clients into early development and accelerate their programmes. As we embark on the next chapter of our growth, Reach Separations is strongly placed as the go-to chromatography provider in Europe, from early discovery to early development.”
Peter adds: “Our growth wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our team of specialist scientists, many of whom joined us as graduates, or as apprentices from colleges in the East Midlands region. Nurturing and developing the next generation of scientists will continue to be a key area of focus for us going forward.”
Reach Separations specialises in chromatography for the analysis and purification of small molecules. The company provides a high quality and efficient service to its clients returning purified samples and results quickly, allowing them to streamline their internal processes and accelerate their discovery programmes.
myenergi, pioneer of the world’s first eco-smart EV charger, has announced the appointment of Tom Callow as head of external affairs. Joining the business from bp pulse, Callow is widely regarded as a leading voice in the electric vehicles sector.
With more than fourteen years’ experience in senior level strategic and operational roles, Callow has worked with some of the world’s largest automotive and electrification brands. Most recently, he was head of insight and external affairs at bp pulse, with responsibility for both monitoring and influencing the regulatory landscape, as well as representing the business to a wide range of external industry stakeholders.
Prior to this, he was head of external communications at Cox Automotive (previously Manheim UK) and helped to build the brand’s national profile as a leading provider of auto auction, defleet, remarketing and retail operations. Having started his career agency side, Callow has been involved in ground-breaking low-carbon, cleantech and electrification programmes for more than a decade.
In his new role, Callow will drive myenergi’s engagement with policy and regulation, as well as leading on a wide range of public relations initiatives.
Jordan Brompton, co-founder and CMO of myenergi, commented: “As a renowned EV expert, I’ve known Tom for a number of years. His reputation within automotive and electrification is simply unmatched, so we’re delighted to welcome him to the team.
“Since founding myenergi in 2016, the business has continued to scale. We now employ more than 350 team members in the UK, with teams growing globally and subsidiaries now operational in Australia, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands. Earlier this year, we shipped our 350,000th unit – an important milestone for our rapidly-growing global business.
“Tom’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to further developing the team with some of the sector’s most ambitious and respected leaders. I’m looking forward to working in close partnership to further drive our policy and regulation engagement activity over the coming months.”
Commenting on his appointment, Callow added: “Having followed the myenergi story almost from inception, I’ve greatly admired what Jordan, Lee and the rest of the team have accomplished in such a short space of time. As someone with a background in the automotive sector, I’ve been acutely aware for many years of the need to transition towards zero emission vehicles and believe that myenergi is truly leading the way.
“In my new role, my goal is to ensure that myenergi is not only recognised for its fantastic zappi EV charger, but becomes absolutely synonymous with smart home energy technology more generally. Indeed, with the largest share of household emissions coming from heating, decarbonising homes is of paramount importance.”
120-year-old family firm and coffee legends Stokes, has unveiled its new fast and fabulous dining destination – Stokes To Go!
The new Stokes To Go take-away, means everyone can enjoy top quality menu options, even when they are on the move.
Located next door to the Stokes iconic High Bridge café on Lincoln’s High Street, it’s the only place in Lincoln and for miles around, where you can get your hands on a genuine Cornish Pasty and lots of beautifully presented takeaway options that are making Stokes To Go an irresistible choice. Hungry locals, workers, students and visitors on the lookout for a hunger-busting breakfast, luscious lunch, veggie options, a sweet snack and of course Stokes’ famous freshly roasted coffee will not be disappointed.
Stokes To Go has a modern and vibrant interior with a beautiful seating area upstairs for those who want to rest their feet while they tuck into the delicious locally sourced produce, freshly baked pastries, genuine pasties, breakfast ciabattas, fresh-cut sandwiches and even Project D doughnuts.
Nick Peel, MD at Stokes Tea & Coffee, said: “We’re thrilled to launch the new Stokes To Go store. Customers have been asking us if we would take over the space next door to our High Bridge Café as it’s been empty for some time. It’s brilliant to see that the whole iconic building has now been brought back to life and everyone can enjoy it.
“We were conscious that there hasn’t been a lot of choice for customers who prefer locally sourced, top-quality options for their takeaway breakfasts and lunches. So, opening Stokes To Go means customers can not only enjoy a unique menu served fast, they don’t have to compromise on quality anymore even when they are short on time.”
For more information go to stokescoffee.com
A new economic report predicts that Derby’s economy will be the fastest growing in the East Midlands by the end of 2023 – but it warns that the levelling-up agenda will stall unless more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is attracted to the region.
According to Irwin Mitchell’s UK Powerhouse report, produced by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), Derby’s economy is predicted to deliver year-on-year growth of 2% by the end of 2023 with GVA standing at £7.1 billion.
The economies of Nottingham and Leicester are both expected to generate 1.7% year-on-year growth by Q4 2023.
Despite this increase, economic growth in cities across the Midlands is expected to be exceeded by that of Southern counterparts. The study says the South and the East of England will by the end of next year be home to eight of the top 10 fastest growing cities. Significantly, out of the 50 locations included in the study, over half of the slowest growing economies are expected to be in the North of England.
Nottingham and Derby are closely matched in terms of jobs growth by the end of next year, with forecasted annual growth of 1.2% and 1.1%, respectively. This will see Derby adding 3,600 newly filled positions and Nottingham adding 5,500 new jobs. Leicester’s growth is lower at 0.7% with 3,400 more jobs.
UK Powerhouse also examines the latest trends in Foreign Direct Investment into the UK.
The report reveals the most recent statistics point to a general fall in the number of FDI projects into the UK with the East Midlands in 8th place.
The challenge will be for the East Midlands region to spearhead a drive for a greater share of FDI and to make inroads into the dominance of the South. The report suggests that success here is the key to levelling up northern cities as it allows them to benefit from the job creation and growth that such inward investment brings with it.
Bryan Bletso, partner and head of international at Irwin Mitchell, said: “This latest UK Powerhouse report makes clear that cities such as Derby, Nottingham and Leicester have huge potential, however the East Midlands’ position for FDI is cause for real concern. With a combination of business, local and central government backing, there’s no reason why it can’t attract its fair share of investment.
“The time to invest in their success is now and by doing so, the corresponding economic growth and job creation will go a long way towards safeguarding future prosperity and making levelling up a reality.”
Josie Dent, managing economist at Cebr and one of the report’s authors, said: “The economy is still expected to face some turbulence between now and the end of next year, notably through volatility in commodity prices, supply chain pressures, and the emerging cost-of-living crisis domestically. All of these factors are set to impact growth both at the aggregate level and, to a varying extent, within individual cities.
“This report highlights that much of the fastest growth during next year will be concentrated in the South. Locations such as Milton Keyes, Cambridge and Oxford have economies which are dominated by fast-growth sectors and they have also been hot spots for overseas’ investment. If economic levelling up is to be tackled effectively, these two issues must be recognised and quickly addressed.”
Derbyshire-based full service marketing agency Purpose Media has been ranked within the top 20 UK marketing agencies to appear in the latest list of ‘Drum Recommended’ agencies in the UK.
The ‘Drum Recommends’ website can be accessed by over 1.2m marketing professionals who use it to search for a marketing agency. The Drum rankings are highly regarded and influential because the overall score is determined by feedback from clients returning a customer satisfaction questionnaire to an independent evaluator which usually means feedback is 100% honest. Therefore a high rating can only be achieved as a result of delivering excellent service and advice.
Following the completion of their projects, clients are asked to rate their agency on a range of measures including value for money, effectiveness, creative output, and client service. Purpose Media scored 9.9 in all these areas and achieved an overall score of 9.4.
Purpose Media is now ranked 19th and is the highest ranked full service marketing agency in the East Midlands. A position that is regarded as a great achievement considering there are literally thousands of agencies based across the UK.
Purpose Media Managing Director Matt Wheatcroft said: “I know there are a couple of Midlands agencies also listed in these rankings, but they have only been rated as an agency with a particular marketing specialism. Our rating is based on the accumulated feedback for everything we have delivered as a full service agency.
“This includes strategic thinking, creative design, website development, digital marketing, SEO, PPC, video, social media, content writing and PR. It therefore shows the high quality, depth and breadth of the advice and services we can offer our clients as part of a one stop solution.”
Founded in 2006, Purpose Media has grown from a small e-commerce website agency into an award winning full service agency. Clients include owner managed businesses and leading brands in retail, manufacturing, wholesaling and sport including True Refrigeration and Derby County Football Club.
They were also recently chosen as a delivery partner by East Midlands Chamber of Commerce to deliver the Chesterfield Digital High Street project and Derby City Business Resilience Programme which have helped high street retailers rejuvenate their businesses by embracing digital marketing strategies.
Nottingham City Council has announced plans for the £10.5m fit-out of the city’s new Central Library and for it to be ready to open to the public next summer.
The development is part of the building that houses the new Broad Marsh Car Park and Bus Station and is one of the key elements of the regeneration of the city’s Southside area.
A report to the council’s Executive Board on May 24 outlines that a number of assessments of the design and affordability of the scheme have been carried out and recommends that the council now begins the internal fit-out of the library from July. Careful management of the city’s property portfolio and successful sales have made the development affordable from within the Council’s capital programme.
The new library, spread over three floors and fully accessible via lifts, will feature a high-quality children’s library with an immersive story telling room, extensive book collection and comfortable areas to sit and read. Other amenities will include:
Feature book walls and shelving to display a large collection of books
Free wi-fi and free access to computers, laptops and iPads
A café & ground floor reception area which can be converted into a performance space
Specialist and rare collections room for local study material
Learning lab for special activities and school class visits
Meeting rooms
Exhibition space
Creative design areas
Business Intellectual Property Centre for the city.
Artist’s impression of new children’s library
The provision of the new Central Library has been considered as part of a thorough Libraries Needs Assessment commissioned by the council, which has been subject to extensive public consultation to help better understand what communities require from a modern library service. Feedback during consultation showed that the Central Library played an important role in delivering part of the city’s overall offer, with over 60% of respondents in the first phase saying this was often the library they visited, in addition to using their own local neighbourhood one.
The Central Library’s depth of stock and specialist collections is seen as a fundamental part in fulfilling the city’s Library Strategy and a key link to ensuring and supporting community library delivery and development.
The new library building is surrounded by transformed streets, with extensive pedestrianisation, planting and seating offering pleasant places to walk, cycle and relax. Similar work is also planned for Collin Street alongside the new library to become fully pedestrianised, with a new plaza planned to link through the demolished section of the former shopping centre to Lister Gate and the city centre beyond. A masterplan is in place outlining a vision for the Broad Marsh site, including green space, an enhanced entrance to the City of Caves attraction and a mixture of housing, retail and leisure uses.
City Council leader, Councillor David Mellen, said: “If approved, Nottingham’s new Central Library will be a key element of the regeneration of this part of the city which is well underway, and I’m pleased we are able to announce our plans for its fit-out. I’m really excited to recommend to our Executive that this great new facility should start which would provide a modern Central Library including a fantastic children’s library.
“From next summer when it is scheduled to open, we expect more people to be attracted to the area, which has been undergoing a transformation for a number of years. Along with the new college at one end of Collin Street and the revitalised castle offer at the other, the library would help to breathe new life into the area with its reimagined pedestrian-friendly streets and public spaces, new car park, bus station and shops and heritage-led improvements.
“The area will change further still when the vision for the former shopping centre site can begin to be put into action, further enhancing Broad Marsh as a great gateway to the city.”
Portfolio holder for leisure, culture & planning, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “It’s exciting to see the designs for the modern Central Library. If the proposal is approved it will create a wonderful facility for all residents and visitors, but perhaps especially children who will be able to enjoy a fantastic collection of books, an immersive audio-visual story telling room and plenty of spaces to enjoy reading and take part in fun activities.
“While it was of course really important for us to carry out assessments of the scheme’s design and affordability, I understand that people are frustrated by the delay and eager to get the new facility opened – something that came across very clearly in the consultation.”
The sale of the former Central Library building at Angel Row also continues, with a planning application for its new use expected to be submitted next month.
General view of the building which will house the new Central Library
Revenues are growing at Van Elle, the ground engineering contractor, as demand levels continue to rise.
In a trading update for the year ended 30 April 2022, ahead of announcing its full-year results, the Nottinghamshire-based company reported that elevated levels of demand in its core markets have continued.
Consequently, the group now expects to report results for the period ahead of recently upgraded forecasts, with revenues of approximately £125m. This represents an increase of approximately 48% (a 41% increase after adjusting for the impact of the acquisition of ScrewFast Foundations Limited) compared with the prior year (£84.4m), with operating profits slightly ahead of the top end of the range of market expectations.
This continued demand is reflective across the business’s divisions. There has been an increase in work delivered within the rail division, and volumes across housing, specialist piling and general piling have remained consistent. The firm further noted that supply chain challenges are showing some signs of moderating, with the impact of material price inflation being managed through contract pricing mechanisms.
In a statement Van Elle said: “The Board is pleased with progress made in the second half of FY22. The trading momentum has continued into FY23 while future prospects in its growth markets remain encouraging.”
A new go-to destination for food and drink producers to manufacture and sell their artisan products has been unveiled in the Rural Capital of Food, with the launch of the Stockyard in Melton Mowbray.
Situated at Melton Mowbray Market, the Stockyard offers producers a unique space in which to manufacture and sell their food and drink in the heart of the Rural Capital of Food.
The agri-chic environment – which for decades has hosted markets and other events – has long been a destination for food lovers.
Now part of it has been given a new identity and new investment to attract more artisan manufacturers and traders to the site and build on the heritage of the market…opening the next chapter in its history.
Hugh Brown, CEO of Gillstream Markets Ltd, which operates the site, said: “I am delighted to launch the Stockyard, recognising Melton Mowbray’s heritage and future as a key food and drink manufacturing centre and a destination for food and drink lovers nationwide.
“We already have a number of artisan food and drink manufacturers and retailers on site, but there is tremendous scope at the Stockyard to create an eclectic mix of producers in this unique agri-chic environment. It provides the perfect opportunity for new and expanding enterprises to have a place in the heart of the Rural Capital of Food and we look forward to additional food and drink businesses joining us over the coming months.”
Already on site at the Stockyard are a growing number of artisan food and drink manufacturers and retailers including the multi award-winning Round Corner Brewing, the Melton Premium Craft Distillers, and Simply Chocolate, alongside butchers, bakers and pork pie makers. Smoked food specialist Feast and the Furious will also be relocating to the site during 2022.
Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire is the home of the pork pie and Stilton cheese. And for hundreds of years, Melton Mowbray Market in its various guises has played a key role in the ‘farm to fork’ story.
Today it has markets on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, plus many special events and festivals.
These strong foundations have been built on to create the Stockyard, as one part of Melton Mowbray’s food and drink experience. It is further bolstered by the weekly street markets, the Rural Catering Centre at SMB College and the many artisan and historic food producers in and around the town that have contributed to the town being named the Rural Capital of Food.
Stockyard Melton Mowbray, working in conjunction with Melton Borough Council, is part of the wider Food Enterprise Centre in the borough, building on the rich food heritage of the local area.
Now, with an increasing number of people interested in local food and the provenance of their food and drink, the Stockyard is offering the opportunity for producers to take space in the agri-chic surroundings of the Melton Mowbray Market site.
“The Stockyard hosts a range of markets alongside exciting and interesting events, including food and beer festivals, weddings, conferences and the like,” explained Hugh Brown.
“The Stockyard encompasses many of the existing values and heritage of the site, retaining close links to our local farmers and our weekly livestock sales. There really is nowhere more ‘farm to fork’ and helps to provide a unique market atmosphere, while establishing the Stockyard in its own right.”
The Stockyard is the new brand for the southern part of Melton Mowbray Market, which is the largest town centre livestock market in the country. The Market predates the Domesday Book and moved from its various locations in the central streets of town to its current site in 1869 as part of the Melton Mowbray Cattle Market Act.
As standards continued to rise through the 20th Century, the livestock moved into modern purpose-built sheds and the older buildings were repurposed for weekly markets and events. It’s some of these buildings which have been converted into spaces for food and drink businesses.
The former chicken shed is now the Fur & Feather bar, adjoining the distillery operated by Melton Premium Craft Distillers which makes Brentingby Gin, while opposite is the brewery and taproom for Round Corner Brewing.
Combie Cryan, co-founder of Round Corner Brewing, said: “We are delighted to be an anchor tenant of the Stockyard. In the four years since our opening, we have played a key role in raising the profile of the market and drawing weekend visitors. We have created the perfect place for our brewery and taproom and, alongside our many amazing neighbours, we are looking forward to playing a key role in the future of this exciting newly branded Stockyard, which builds on the history of Melton Mowbray’s long links to agriculture and the food and drink sector.”
Jon Oakes, of smoked food specialist Feast and the Furious, said: “We are really excited to be locating our new smokehouse down at the Stockyard amongst some really passionate award winning food and drink businesses such as Round Corner and Brentingby Gin (Fur & Feather Bar).
“We are looking forward to enhancing the great food and drink offering at the Stockyard and can’t wait to help create an exciting destination for people near and far to visit for a food and drink experience.
“We will be expanding our current offering of cold and hot smoked products with new, bigger smokers, bringing out new products whilst also allowing us to be able to get back to our roots of our hot smoked food (such as smoked beef brisket and pulled pork etc) that we served from our food truck down at the Stockyard on many occasions in the past.
“We are looking to open a shop area to sell a range of our cold smoked products and eventually even have a seating area for people to enjoy our hot food offering too.”
In collaboration with the Melton Mowbray Food Partnership, Stockyard aims to be home to a growing number of innovative and award-winning independent producers.
Hugh Brown added: “Many industrial buildings have been imaginatively repurposed to create interesting spaces but what we have done at the Stockyard is repurpose buildings with an agricultural heritage to give them a new role in the future of the food and drink sector. Here, production is visible and proud. Producers can demonstrate their trade and expertise and customers can see what they are buying. We’re excited for the future of the Stockyard and are looking forward to welcoming more artisan manufacturers to our unique site.”
Taking place on Thursday 15 September,at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, the highly anticipated East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022will celebrate the region’s property and construction industry while providing a prime opportunity to connect with local decision makers.
The event 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.
With nominationsOPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards, it’s time to submit your entries for the prestigious event – showcase your business, team and projects.
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.
To submit a business or development please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.Find out who last year’s winners were here.
William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, reflected on winning an award in 2021: “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.”
Lancashire-headquartered fire safety specialist Walker Fire has acquired Leicestershire-based Detector Alarms Limited as part of its continued expansion in the fire detection and security sector.
It comes alongside the acquisition of Hampshire-based Southern Fire Protection Limited.
Detector Alarms Limited, which trades as Detector Fire and Security, operates across Leicestershire and the Midlands, specialising in the installation and servicing of security and fire safety systems.
The deal enables an exit for Detector Fire and Security’s shareholders Carlos Mendez, Scott Thompson and David Loomes. However, Carlos Mendez will continue working with the business and all staff members have been retained. Steven Mather of Nexa Law acted for the sellers.
Walker Fire is part of the Moyne Roberts Group. Based at Roman Way Industrial Estate, the business has 238 staff and offers services in the installation and servicing of fire alarms, fire suppression systems and other fire safety equipment, as well as fire risk assessment and fire safety training services.
Walker Fire was advised on the transactions by the corporate finance, property and employment teams at law firm Harrison Drury solicitors. Stuart Hinnigan, partner at Scott & Wilkinson accountants, advised on the financial aspects of the deal.
David Cosgrove, Managing Director of Walker Fire, said: “Our goal is to become one of the UK’s foremost providers of fire safety and building security services. The two businesses we have acquired have operational capabilities and values that are very aligned with our own and further strengthen our service offering and national footprint.”
The advisory team at Harrison Drury was led by Jack Stephenson and Kerry Southworth in the corporate team, supported by Laura Bradley from the commercial property team, and Sarah Astley and Olivia Bailey from the employment law team.
Jack Stephenson, associate solicitor in the corporate team at Harrison Drury, said: “We’re proud to have supported Walker Fire’s growth strategy by advising them on a significant number of transactions over the last few years.
“These latest strategic acquisitions help Walker Fire grow its capabilities and geographical coverage and we’re pleased to have played our role in making this possible.”
Sarah Astley, associate solicitor in the employment team, added: “We’re pleased to be working alongside the team at Walker Fire, supporting them with the employment aspects of these acquisitions and ensuring a smooth transition for all staff, clients and stakeholders.”
A tightening labour market and an increasingly mobile workforce is driving up bonuses to hire and retain staff, but the wage squeeze for the wider workforce continues to deepen off the back of rising inflation, the Resolution Foundation said today (Tuesday) in response to the latest labour market statistics.
The UK labour market continues to tighten, with unemployment falling to 3.7 per cent (the lowest since 1974) and the number of vacancies rising to almost 1.3 million, taking vacancy numbers above unemployment levels for the time ever.
Workers are taking advantage of this tight labour market by moving jobs – almost a million did so in the first three months of the year. There are signs firms are using bonuses to respond to the hiring and retention challenges posed by this mass movement, with total pay including bonuses rising 7 per cent. Bonuses are up 30 per cent on last year, but remain concentrated in finance and business sectors which account for almost 60 per cent of all bonuses.
There is less good news for those not receiving bonuses, with regular pay not responding to rising inflation. Real regular pay growth has fallen sharply by 1.2 per cent – the fastest rate in almost a decade. The Foundation notes that the true scale of Britain’s real wage squeeze is likely to be even deeper as the headline rate is flattered by the effects of last year’s furlough.
Finally, the Foundation notes that the UK labour market remains smaller than it was pre-pandemic.
While long-term unemployment is falling, there are no signs that the pandemic-induced rise in inactivity is reversing, with half a million people – largely older workers – having completely disengaged from work. As a result, we are working 10 million fewer hours a month than before the pandemic, which will lead to a smaller economy overall.
Hannah Slaughter, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: “The UK labour market continues to tighten, with the number of unemployed people having fallen below the number of job vacancies for the first time ever. People are taking advantage of these conditions to move jobs, and employers are responding by paying bonuses to hire or retain key staff.
“But for the vast majority of the workforce, the labour market may feel far less hot. There is little sign of wider pay pressures building and real wages are getting squeezed even tighter.
“With inflation having shot up in recent months, the scale of Britain’s wage squeeze is going to get far worse.”
Two graphic designers have raised £1,927.75 for the Ukraine crisis appeal by teaming up and using their skills to solve a common business branding issue.
Trudie Avery of Avery Creative – who is often referred to as the Logo Lady – partnered with illustrator and graphic designer Dave Officer, of Doodle Juice Design, to ‘fix’ business logos in return for donations to Ukraine Crisis Charities.
Despite never having met in person, the pair decided to work together on the special project and put out to their LinkedIn connections a one-time offer to create a vector version of company logos – one that is scalable and can be used at any size without losing quality and that can be put on any background without having a white box around it.
More than 30 companies took Trudie and Dave up on their offer, each donating £25 or more to the worthy cause. One business pledged a whopping £1,000 for the service.
Trudie, who has been working in graphic design and branding for 25 years, said: “We wanted to use our skills to raise some money for the Ukraine. Dave is a fabulous designer/illustrator and came to me with this idea and I jumped at the chance to do something so worthwhile.
“Many company logos are jpeg files, which are essentially an image file on a white background. If you use it on a dark background it will have a white box around it and it doesn’t scale up well.
“We turned the jpeg files into vector files which are much more useful for scalability and useability and raised almost £2,000 in the process.
“What is going on in the Ukraine is so tragic and I was glad to be able to do something to help in this awful situation.”
Dave added: “We’ve all sat in absolute horror watching the events in the Ukraine unfold. The feeling of sadness and helplessness is a little overwhelming, but I was keen to do a little something to help. Although the gesture of fixing logos is tiny in the grand scheme of things, I am delighted that the money we’ve raised will make some difference, however small.”
European shoe retailer Deichmann opened the doors of a new warehouse at Centrix Business Park on Phoenix Parkway in Corby earlier this month. The new warehouse is around 165,000 square foot in size, making it larger than Trafalgar Square in London.
The new warehouse will create 50 new jobs in the region and support Deichmann’s ongoing growth by improving service levels across the business, as well as giving the brand full autonomy to manage its inventory and logistics.
Samuel Deichmann, executive board member at Deichmann SE and chairman of the board of directors at Deichmann-UK Shoes Limited, said: “We are thrilled to open our brand new Corby warehouse. Deichmann is experiencing strong success both in our online growth and expansion of UK stores, the new warehouse will allow us to enhance our service and ensure we can keep pace.”
The company chose Corby as the site for the brand’s new UK distribution facility as a central location to the network of 120 UK stores and its proximity to the Deichmann head office, which is located in nearby Market Harborough.
The former brownfield site, owned and developed by Clowes Developments, provides the ideal home for the footwear retailer. Clowes Developments managed the development of the site which has been built on a former quarry which was later used as landfill for the steelworks. The land has been vacant since tipping on the site ended. Planning conditions meant the developers had to properly manage the heavily contaminated land by adhering to strict conditions to ensure it was safe to build on.
Deichmann have invested around £3 million into the facility, which took just under a year to complete and has the capacity to hold just over one million pairs of shoes. The building construction was led by Winvic Construction, the industrial ‘shed’ specialist.
Business leaders in the Midlands are voting with their feet and declining to work with clients because of their ESG credentials, according to new research from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO.
BDO’s ‘Rethinking the Economy’ survey found that 42% of businesses in the region are declining or discontinuing to work with clients or customers as a direct result of their ESG performance.
When asked which factors business leaders considered most important when selecting or renewing contracts with customers or suppliers, 33% selected ED&I performance. The second most important consideration from 23% of businesses is the reputation of potential customers or suppliers with external stakeholders, including the media. Personal relationships ranked as the third most important, which was cited by 20% of companies.
In regard to diversity and inclusion, improving social mobility and socio-economic diversity is a key priority for more than a quarter of businesses. The same proportion are focusing on diversity and inclusion relating to ethnicity and 28% are focused on gender diversity and inclusion. This mirrors the 27% of companies that are focusing on environmental commitments.
Tim Foster, partner at BDO, said: “Business leaders are facing pressure from every angle at the moment, whether it’s the cost-of-living crisis, the lingering effects of a global pandemic, or geopolitical uncertainty. Despite this, businesses are clearly voting with their feet when it comes to weighing up commercial relationships and the ESG agenda.
“With almost half of businesses revealing that they are already declining to work with clients due to poor ESG performance, all businesses will need to be prioritising ESG no matter what their size or sector.”
He added: “It is positive to see such a high percentage prioritising diversity and inclusion around social mobility and ethnicity within their leadership teams and workforces. Improving social mobility in the Midlands is key to the future success of the region, and businesses will play a vital role in driving that agenda forward to create more equal opportunities across the board.”
Bassetlaw District Council has revealed an “inspirational plan” to transform the Wimpy Estate in Carlton-in-Lindrick.
An initial two-phase approach to build new council houses and create an informal play space with landscaping is being presented to residents as part of a six-week consultation on the Carlton Wimpy Masterplan.
The consultation, which was launched on Friday 13 May, will also gather the views of residents on topics including opportunities to improve movement around the estate, address anti-social behaviour issues and increase parking, among other ideas.
The Masterplan has been developed in response to concerns and issues raised by residents about the estate over a number of years and will act as a catalyst for improving the appearance of the estate and quality of life for residents living there.
Cllr Steve Scotthorne, cabinet member for housing at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “We have listened to residents’ concerns over time and as a result of these discussions have developed the initial phases of the Masterplan.
“This is an ambitious project that will transform the estate, address many of the issues that have been raised and make this part of Carlton a more pleasant and appealing area to live in.
“To make this project a success, we need residents to tell us what they think of the plans, put forward their priorities and be a central part of the project from the outset.”
Funding of around £3m has been made available for the first two phases of the Masterplan and consultation will initially take place on Phases 1 and 2 of the project which, if successful, could lead to more ambitious proposals.
Proposals as part of Phases 1 and 2 of the Masterplan include:
Demolishing the underused community centre and building new homes
Redeveloping some of the existing open spaces, including the paved area off Willow Avenue.
Creating a new informal play area and introducing softer landscaping at the heart of the estate.
There is also the potential to create start up units for local business, retail opportunities, or new community facilities.
Following the consultation, all responses will be considered and will inform the next stages of the Masterplan, which could include a planning application being developed.
For the first time, Lincoln law firm Shakespeare Martineau is to offer damages-based agreements (DBAs) as part of its portfolio of litigation funding options called ‘FeeManage’.
DBAs – a fairly new addition to English law – are contingency-based agreements where legal fees are payable as a percentage out of the damages received in the event a case is successful. Shakespeare Martineau is proud to be in a position to offer DBAs as part of its FeeManage proposition.
If a DBA is entered into and the pre-determined success criteria is achieved but the recovery from the losing party is relatively low, the DBA percentage fee from recovered monies may be a sum significantly less than that which would have been payable by the client on a normal retainer basis or pursuant to a conditional fee arrangement (CFA) – meaning an increased shared risk between client and legal advisors.
In addition to DBAs, the firm is working with a variety of funders to offer third-party funding (TPF) and after the event (ATE) insurance in combination with CFAs as potential options. Unlike competitors, Shakespeare Martineau is not tied to a single funding provider in order to flex requirements and offer full or part funding for litigation claims.
Barry Jervis, partner and litigation expert at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Too often businesses are put off from pursuing debts and assets that are rightfully theirs due to the associated costs, impact on the balance sheet and risk.
“Litigation was buoyant across the country before the pandemic and, as we emerge into a post-pandemic economy, we can expect disputes to increase further. However, the costs of litigation are climbing sharply, alongside increasing numbers of businesses experiencing cash flow issues as a fall out from the pandemic.
“Our new ‘FeeManage’ service helps to reduce the financial risk of litigation. Every individual and every business is unique and while traditional CFAs might work for one client, third party funding might be more appropriate for another. Whatever the size or complexity of the litigation, we have an option that will suit.
“We’re really proud to be taking a different approach to litigation funding. We’re not fixed to a single provider and we’re giving our clients every option available for funding their claim.”
East Lindsey District Council has announced that Skegness Town Hall has had a successful bid, which has now been accepted.
Skegness Town Hall has been offered for sale since February, and within that time it has been showcased by Lambert Smith Hampton as the vendor’s sole agents, where final offers for the Grade II Listed property ended on Friday 29 April 2022.
Local businessman Taj Bola is the successful bidder in respect of the Town Hall.
Taj Bola, owner of The Royal Hotel Skegness, said: “I am very pleased with the acquisition of this important piece of Skegness History. I am unable to disclose too much at this stage, other than to say that this forms part of my long-term strategy of developing visitor attractions and experiences along the entire length of the sea front, from North Parade all the way to Princes Parade.
“Skegness is a great resort and has great potential for the future. East Lindsey District Council have shown great commitment to Skegness with the modernisation and development of key amenities, it is now up to businesses to show the same vision and commitment.”
Councillor Richard Fry, portfolio holder for finance at East Lindsey District Council, said: “We are pleased the Town Hall has received a successful bid, it is an extraordinary building with a fantastic coastal location. We look forward to seeing the property in full use again and wish Mr Bola well in his future endeavours.”
West Lindsey District Council welcomed the Managing Director of Meditrade UK to a tour of the town last week.
Meditrade is one of the leading manufacturers of healthcare products in Europe and they are looking to deliver a phased distribution centre of more than 25,000 square metres of new employment space including office accommodation.
Managing Director Maximilian Roesner met Sir Edward Leigh MP, Councillor Owen Bierley, leader of the Council, and Ian Knowles, Chief Executive of the Council, to discuss the company’s plans.
Councillor Owen Bierley explained the visit was an opportunity for Meditrade to showcase their investment plans and outline their development programme. He said: “It was a pleasure to meet Mr Roesner and I am thrilled that the company is moving to our district.
“We are delighted to welcome Meditrade who we know will be a welcome addition to our thriving town. The site will provide the company with a base for the storage and distribution of its products across the UK.
“We hope the business will have a bright future here like many of our other major employers who are based in Gainsborough including Eminox, Amp Rose and Ping European headquarters.
“This opportunity is a huge step forward in our plans for the growth of Gainsborough and continues to build on our Invest Gainsborough initiative.”
Invest Gainsborough was launched in 2018, an initiative, led by West Lindsey District Council, supported by the private sector to deliver £18 million regeneration plans in the town.
Since then, the town has seen huge investments including: a new hotel, restaurant, improvements to shop fronts, restoring the heart of Gainsborough and changes to the infrastructure in the town to accommodate new sustainable housing sites in key locations.
Sir Edward Leigh MP said he was proud to showcase Gainsborough and thanked Ron Gore, MD of a local company, Barrier Healthcare, for introducing Gainsborough as a site for expansion. Sir Edward added: “Gainsborough is a great place to live, work and invest, which is evident with all the exciting projects that are being developed.
“Gainsborough already has a diverse business base here in the town and Meditrade is a welcome addition. The town has undergone a lot of investment in recent years and that is set to continue as it was recently successful in its bid for £10m of Levelling Up Fund. It will help develop plans for a four-screen cinema, retail units, new wayfinding signs, green spaces for families and much more to enjoy.”
The company is looking to locate on land at Somerby Park which was identified in the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan as an area for employment growth and through the recently approved planning application.
Meditrade UK will facilitate the area to distribute its medical equipment over a multiphase development.
Managing Director Maximilian Roesner said: “We are absolutely thrilled to locate our distribution hub in Gainsborough. It is strategically located close to major road networks and therefore fits perfectly into our logistics concept.
“West Lindsey District Council have been absolutely brilliant to work with and have showed tremendous support for our project. I want to especially thank Sally Grindrod-Smith from the West Lindsey Council and Ron Gore for their support on making this possible in such an efficient manner.”
The new logistics hub will facilitate 12 jobs after the completion of its first phase and the company plans to create 60 to 70 new jobs over the next few years.
The company is hoping that work can commence on site in Q3 2022 and the first phase of the facility to be up and running by Q3 2023.
Ian Knowles Chief Executive of West Lindsey District Council said: “Knowing that International businesses are willing to Invest in Gainsborough is a massive step forward for us and we’re excited to see what the future will hold.”
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