Derbyshire developer makes grand gesture to High Peak Homeless Help
Barratt Homes made a donation of £1,000 to High Peak Homeless Help in Buxton. High Peak Homeless Help, founded in 2003, was originally set up to provide overnight accommodation for young homeless people in the area. As years went by, the need for its services expanded to encompass all ages and all forms of hard times they may have fallen on.
This donation was made through the developer’s Legacy initiative, which aims to support local community projects and organisations throughout the areas in which it builds.
Foodbanks and charity shops were opened to provide food and clothing, the charity began providing training sessions on budgeting, cooking and other skills, and helping people into tenancies and employment among many other services.
Not only does the charity tackle existing homelessness in the community, it also aims to prevent it from happening in the first place. It deals with many enquiries from current tenants who are facing concerns of losing their home or not being able to afford food or heating.
Charles Jolly, a trustee and treasurer at High Peak Homeless Help, said: “If we weren’t here there would be a lot more homeless people and rough sleepers. Although there are council services available for rough sleepers, it can take time to find somewhere for them.
“We often provide a tent or other help until the local authority can sort something more permanent. A recent development is that there are many more people sleeping in cars and vans; all sorts of supplies can help them until more permanent solutions can be found.
“We have developed ‘care rucksacks’ with a range of essentials for people who are homeless. We are putting the funding from Barratt Homes towards these items, which range from wind-up torches, wind-up radios and writing equipment to warm hats and socks, as well as the previously mentioned tents.”
With the cost of living crisis causing huge concern to many up and down the country, charities such as High Peak Homeless Help could be faced with greater need for its services than ever before.
Charles continued: “Donating to local charities is a vital lifeline. Not only does it help us just to make ends meet but the fact that local individuals, groups and businesses support us impresses charitable trusts to whom we apply for grants.
“This knock-on effect means we are more likely to receive even more funding, so we are grateful to Barratt Homes for its recent support.”
High Peak Homeless Help is based in Buxton and operates in High Peak and surrounding areas in Derbyshire and have many opportunities for volunteering.
Michaela Lancaster, Sales Director at Barratt Homes Manchester, said: “As a leading developer it is really important that we support the community in the areas in which we build.
“High Peak Homeless Help is doing incredibly important work in the local Buxton area, and with the difficulties many are likely to face in the coming months, it is vital to support these charities in any way we can.”
For more information about High Peak Homeless Help, visit www.hphh.co.uk/.
Voluntary business closures increase as tougher economy hits hard
Tougher economic conditions are taking their toll on local businesses, with increasing numbers closing down voluntarily as trading conditions become untenable.
The warning comes from the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring body R3 and follows latest statistics published by the Insolvency Service which show that corporate insolvencies in England and Wales increased by 5.5% in August 2022 to a total of 1,933 compared to July’s total of 1,832, and by 43.4% compared to August 2021’s figure of 1,348.
August 2021’s corporate insolvency numbers were also 41.6% higher than the August 2019 figure of 1,365.
R3 Midlands chair Eddie Williams, a partner at PwC in the East Midlands, said: “The monthly increase in corporate insolvencies – to the third highest set of monthly statistics since January 2019 – has been caused mainly by an increase in the number of Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations.
“This suggests that directors remain concerned about their ability to continue to trade in the current climate and are choosing to close their businesses before that choice is taken away from them.
“These figures will be a sobering reminder to the UK government of the scale of the challenge facing our local economy as we head into the winter months. Companies are trying to overcome enormous running cost hikes just as household spending is facing its biggest squeeze in several decades.
“All of this delivers yet another blow to business owners who were hoping to bounce back after the pandemic to normal trading levels.
“For those businesses with cashflow issues, now is the time for its directors to seek advice from a qualified professional, rather waiting until the problem worsens.
“Most R3 members will give an hour’s free consultation to potential clients to enable them to understand more about their circumstances, and to outline the options available to help them improve their situation.”
Nottingham academic appointed to Academic Advisory Group on accounting standards reform
Janice Denoncourt, associate professor in Intellectual Property, Finance and Corporate Governance at Nottingham Law School and director of the School’s IP Research Group, has been appointed to the Academic Advisory Group (AAG) set up by the UK Endorsement Board (UKEB).
The UKEB influence, endorses and adopts new or amended accounting standards issues by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) for use by UK companies.
The Advisory Group is made up of an experienced interdisciplinary group of nine UK academics and authors researching in the field of accounting for intangibles. The AAG member will provide specialist expertise and technical advice on the UKEB research agenda, research programme and financial reporting issues to assist. Their work will assist the UKEB and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
The Advisory Group’s work will initially focus on their Intangibles Endorsement Project and Dr Denoncourt will contribute interdisciplinary knowledge of IP rights law and corporate governance.
Janice has recently contributed to the work of the European Accounting Association’s (EAA) ‘Intangibles’ Working Group.
The UKEB’s aim is to improve the quality of financial reporting, introduce reforms for the long term public good.
Accounting standards are chiefly used to ensure that a company’s accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view of its assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss. The ‘true and fair’ requirement was on-shored into UK legislation in May 2021 as a result of the UK’s Exit from the EU and replicates preceding requirements in this area.
Janice is the author of Intellectual Property, Finance and Corporate Governance (2018) Routledge which advances intangibles and IP rights asset reporting in alignment with the key corporate governance principles of transparency and disclosure. She analyses the juncture between the IP rights ecosystem; corporate finance and accounting for intangibles; and corporate governance.
East Midlands businesses claim £330m for R&D
East Midlands businesses claimed £330 million in research and development (R&D) tax relief for the 20/21 financial year, according to HMRC’s latest R&D tax credit statistics, analysed by tax relief specialist Access2Funding, a Ryan company.
In the East Midlands, despite business spending on R&D dropping by 10%, from £2bn to £1.8bn, there was an 8% increase in the number of claims made, from 5,595 in 19/20 to 6,045 in 20/21.
The majority of claims were made by SMEs (5,410), with 9% more claims made under the SME scheme in the East Midlands, and SMEs spending 7% more on R&D activities than the previous year.
The average R&D tax credits claim in the East Midlands was worth just under £55,000, a decrease of £5,000.
According to the report, the highest number of R&D claims were made by businesses in the Information and Communication (22%), Manufacturing (21%) and Professional, Scientific and Technical (19%) sectors.
Nigel Holmes, director of Tax at Ryan, said: “It’s refreshing to see how the East Midlands has maintained steady momentum during the Covid-19 pandemic, with more businesses making an R&D claim.
“SMEs have particularly weathered the storm, with 9% more SMEs claiming in 20/21 than 19/20 – reflecting the resilience of the region’s businesses and their ability to adapt and overcome by significantly accelerating the pace at which they innovate.
“As with the UK’s current financial pressures, R&D tax relief can help offset other rising costs and help stabilise future business growth, and the East Midlands has shown it’s in a great position to continue to go up against anything that is thrown at it and ensure that R&D is at the heart of a successful economy.”
The average claim value across the UK is sitting at approximately £74,000, or £54,000 for SMEs. There has been a 7% increase in the provisional estimated amount of claims made compared to last year, from 85,900 to 89,300, driven by a 7% rise in the number of R&D claims made by SMEs.
SureScreen Diagnostics set for national recognition as it’s picked to fly the flag for the East Midlands
Derbyshire medical test manufacturers SureScreen Diagnostics has been recognised as the pride of the East Midlands after it was put forward for a national business award for its rapid growth.
The company, based in Derby, has reached the finals of the British Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, which is a national search for companies who have best typified business excellence over the past two years.
SureScreen was successful at the East Midlands Chamber’s annual awards last year, picking up the Outstanding Growth, Excellence in International Trade and Excellence in Innovation awards, as well as the overall Derbyshire Business of the Year award.
It is now the East Midlands Chamber’s nominee for the national BCC awards’ Rapid Riser award, for companies who can demonstrate exceptional levels of growth and a strong plan for sustainable financial performance.
It is one of 11 companies from across the UK on the national shortlist for the Rapid Riser award, with the winner set to be announced in mid-October.
SureScreen won plaudits after developing the first European Lateral Flow Test to pass Public Health England laboratory validation during the pandemic, however, is known in the medical industry for a wide range of tests from fertility screening to workplace drugs of abuse testing.
Manufacturing out of a new, state-of-the-art production and distribution centre just off the M1, SureScreen exports to more than 60 countries worldwide, and continues to innovate, with recent development of rapid tests for Monkeypox.
Alastair Campbell, a director of the company, said: “We are so grateful to be recognised for such a prestigious award, it is really a testament to the team’s hard work over many years.
“Since the recognition last year we have certainly not stood still, and we are building new technologies and tests that we believe will have huge impacts on people’s health.
“Now that rapid testing is a much more accepted practice across the world, we believe there are huge opportunities for healthcare to increase the prevention of illnesses, by catching issues early using cost-effective, accurate rapid tests. This could help save lives and reduce the costs and pressures on healthcare.”
Property consultancy makes raft of promotions across East Midlands
A property consultancy has announced a raft of promotions in the East Midlands following further success in the past year.
Fisher German has promoted 12 colleagues and six new partners at its offices in Ashby and Market Harborough across all areas of the business.
Rachel Bridge, Iain Long and Richard Gent have become partners within Fisher German’s Infrastructure Services division, Ben Longstaff is now a partner in the Agency division, Angela Brooks becomes a partner within Advisory Services, and Charlotte Gore has been promoted to partner within the Property Management division through her work in agribusiness.
Charlotte said: “I’m really excited to step up to the responsibility of being a partner within Fisher German after 11 years with the firm, and I’d like to think I can be a bit of a role model to young women who may be thinking about getting into agribusiness.
“I’ve always found Fisher German to be incredibly supportive of my career, and my promotion to partner is a great example of the commitment it shows to its staff who have the ambition to get there.
“There’s going to be a lot of challenges and opportunities within agribusiness over the next few years, and I’m looking forward to helping Fisher German continue to grow by grasping those opportunities and helping young staff come through the business.”
James Beverley has been promoted to associate in the firm’s Advisory Services division after helping landowners, land promoters and housing developers complete major development projects.
In the firm’s Sustainable Energy team, Tom Beeley has been promoted to associate after playing a key role in growing Fisher German’s Delivering Net Zero service.
The firm has also strengthened the foundations of its Infrastructure Services division, with its staff making up five of the Ashby office’s eleven promotions.
Laura Knight is now associate partner, Lucy Whitaker and Ellie-May Craddock are now associates, while Liz Ashton and Rebecca Taylor have become senior administrators.
The firm’s Agency division, also in Ashby, that is responsible for selling land for property development has promoted Matthew Handford to associate, and Charles Barton to senior surveyor.
Ian McKenzie and Alex Watts have also been promoted to associate partner and associate respectively in the Property Management and Consultancy division, and Jill Bonser has become senior quality and compliance manager.
The promotions come after the firm’s merger with Matthews & Goodman earlier in the year, which created one of the largest providers of multi-disciplinary property services in the UK, with a turnover approaching £60 million with 29 offices.
Senior partner at Fisher German Duncan Bedhall said: “We are once again pleased to see a high number of people advancing within the firm as part of our career progression framework.
“As our business and Partnership continue to grow, we are seeing an increase in opportunities for our colleagues to develop and progress their careers, with a wide variety of career pathways available beyond the traditional graduate route. It is an incredibly exciting time to be working at Fisher German.”
Browne Jacobson hits top tier in latest Legal 500 rankings
Browne Jacobson has been ranked as a Top Tier law firm in 25 key practice areas in Legal 500 UK 2023, the independent directory of comparative law firm performance.
The firm also continues to underpin its status as one of the leading law firms in the East Midlands region with 16 Tier 1 rankings.
Other highlights in this year’s rankings include:
- Tier 1 ranking for the firm’s Local Government team in London, with the firm now ranked Tier 1 in that region for three public sector areas, including Education and Healthcare.
- First time rankings for Local Government and Energy, Project Finance & PFI in the West-Midlands, Commercial Litigation and Banking & Finance in the North-West and M&A: Smaller Deals up to £50M in London.
- 33 partners ranked as ‘Leading Individuals’, 15 named as ‘Next Generation Partners’, 15 rated as ‘Rising Stars’ and seven individuals listed in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame which recognises partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession.
Oberoi Business Hub welcomes new firms
Oberoi Business Hub continues to welcome several new businesses to their growing community of start up, SME and national firms requiring serviced office accommodation in Derby.
Among the latest companies to join the Oberoi Business Hub community in Pride Park is family-owned AHP Group consisting of AHP Healthcare, AHP Homecare, AHP Supported Living and AHP Recruitment, who were keen to expand into the East Midlands having established their award-winning healthcare recruitment agency in Essex with their sister company SRP Healthcare.
Under AHP Healthcare the company places agency nurses and support staff into care homes and supports private clients with care at home services under AHP Homecare. AHP Recruitment also supplies HGV drivers and warehousing staff to a wide range of customers and future growth plans include the introduction of supply teachers and support staff for schools, hospitality and construction industries.
Director Sheel Phakey, who runs AHP Group alongside his wife and son, explained: “The family is from the East Midlands and we obviously know the area well so were keen to come back to our roots in the next stage of our company growth.
“Pride Park with its excellent transport links with plenty of parking on site so we are looking forward to capitalising on the buoyant economy in the East Midlands – both in the expanding healthcare sector and the new opportunities that are taking place in warehousing and logistics across the region.”
Director Aran Phakey, who heads up the Midlands Division, continued: “Oberoi Business Hub’s location in Pride Park is perfect for us. The team are incredibly helpful and take care of all the accommodation so that you can concentrate on running your own business.
“We particularly value the availability of meeting and conference facilities and we have the flexibility to upgrade our office accommodation as the team here grows.”
Oberoi Business Hub manager Jodie Brady added: “Our goal is to provide high quality yet affordable business premises with a prestigious address and a wide range of services that facilitate growth and job creation in the local area.
“Throughout this year, we have welcomed many new customers and received requests for additional office space and services from our existing customers which is a reflection of the continued business confidence and is good news for the whole city and surrounding area.”
East Midlands Pharmaceutical company acquired by counterpart
Loughborough-based Morningside Pharmaceuticals has been acquired by UK counterpart Aspire Pharma.
The acquisition includes Morningside Pharmaceuticals (Loughborough), Morningside Healthcare (Leicester) and Morningside Healthcare (India) (together referred to as “Morningside”); privately owned, speciality generic pharmaceutical organisations.
Commenting one the acquisition, Tim Brady, Chief Executive Officer, Morningside said: “Aspire’s acquisition of Morningside is validation of the long-term growth plan that the shareholders and management of Morningside Pharmaceuticals and Morningside Healthcare have developed over the past 30 years. The combined company will benefit across several areas, including the realisation of enhanced business development capabilities with over 120 complementary mid and late-stage programs”
Richard Condon, Chief Executive Officer of Aspire Pharma added: “We are excited to welcome the Morningside team to the Aspire family. This is a transformative opportunity for both companies to expand and enhance our position as a result of both companies highly complementary product portfolios. The combination will create one of the largest and fastest growing UK pharma companies and see further accelerated growth potential in our current and future product portfolio, in the UK and internationally. Our commitment remains with our team, patients, and our partners in the NHS and beyond, to ensure a smooth integration of businesses”
Respective organisations will continue to operate as standalone businesses until further integration and transition announcements are made.
Aspire is present in the generics, speciality generics, branded medicines, and medical device sectors. Aspire’s investors include founder Graham Fraser-Pye; Juno Pharmaceuticals, a global pharma specialist organisation spanning four continents, focussing on niche differentiated products and H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative investment firm with over $50 billion* of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta in the USA, as well as international affiliate offices in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Sofware provider secures funding from MEIF Maven Debt Finance
Nottingham-based Retail Assist has secured a funding package from MEIF Maven Debt Finance which is part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund and managed by Maven Capital Partners, is aimed at smaller and medium-sized enterprises across the region that have high growth potential.
Retail Assist provides award-winning IT and software solutions to leading brands in the retail and hospitality sectors. Established in 1999, the business offers a full range of managed services, including service desk support, desktop support, full IT outsourcing, cyber security services, retail systems support, project management services, technical services, and operations support. Clients include well-known brands such as Pizza Hut, Morrisons, Ted Baker, Vue Cinemas, and Harvey Nichols.
Retail Assist will use the funding to maximise its opportunities to grow the business further, investing in new services and technologies, reach more clients, and capitalise on additional opportunities with existing retail partners.
The UK retail industry is a significant contributor to the UK economy, employing over 3 million people. Estimates place the total value of last year’s retail sales at more than £420 billion, highlighting the importance of well-integrated and protected IT infrastructure as retail business moves increasingly online. Retailers’ need for experienced IT providers, capable of supporting them to streamline their user experience and fulfil customer demand, will therefore only increase in the long term.
Richard Brighty, Investment Manager for Maven said: “Retail Assist presents a fantastic growth opportunity. Retail Assist have developed a market leading innovative suite of software solutions combined with a large UK team providing development and support services. The business is well positioned to benefit from the upturn in the retail industry following a challenging period during Covid-19. Maven’s investment follows on from additional investment from the Foresight Nottingham Fund, which initially supported the company in 2017.”
Kevin Greathead, Managing Director for Retail Assist, adds: “As a retail and hospitality specialist, Retail Assist has been providing IT managed support services to the retail and hospitality community for over 23 years, now supporting almost 40 established retailers and brands. Our objective is to deliver services through an experienced, UK-based team who are passionate about shifting the dial on user experience. Our relationship with Maven will allow us to invest further to maximise opportunities to grow the business, introduce new technology solutions and reach new customers and markets. We see very exciting times ahead.”
Lewis Stringer, Senior Manager UK Network at the British Business Bank said: “Innovative technology companies, such as Retail Assist, provide essential services for businesses globally. MEIF is committed to supporting such companies and unlocking growth opportunities for them. Other Midlands-based companies with similar potential for scaling should consider the finance options available from MEIF.”
Will Morlidge, Chief Executive at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership added: “I’m delighted that Retail Assist is being supported by MEIF. We know that growing the digital capability of all sectors of the economy is vital to promote sustainable economic growth, and the retail sector is no different. We’re investing heavily in digital skills precisely so our area can provide the talent that ambitious businesses such as Retail Assist will need to keep on growing.”
New high profile non-exec chair for law firm
Law firm Browne Jacobson has appointed leading General Counsel (GC), Anneliese Reinhold as the first Non-Executive Chair of its corporate sectoral strategy board, the first of several sector-driven appointments.
Working closely with partner Declan Cushley who leads the firm’s corporate sector market group, Anneliese will bring strategic commercial, regulatory, legal and governance expertise to support the firm and its lawyers in driving the firm’s corporate sector strategy.
Anneliese, who qualified as a corporate lawyer in Australia in 1989, has worked with a diverse client base that includes start-ups, high growth businesses, large global listed and non-listed companies, spanning across Europe, the Middle East, USA and Australasia both as a General Counsel and a City law firm Partner. She is the former Chairman of the global Board of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), the world’s largest in-house counsel organization (45,000 members in 85 countries), until August this year was the most senior female executive of leading multi-billion turnover telecoms operator, du; is a founding investor and member of the Investment Committee at specialist tech ‘Micro-VC’, Dubai Angel Investors; and is also a Member of Council for the Institute of Directors (IOD); and member of the advisory Board at the high growth Legaltech startup App4Legal. She is described as a ‘bastion for diversity’ by The Legal 500’s GC Powerlist: Middle East, has been profiled as the one of the Middle East & Africa’s 20 leading women in the ICT sector, and has featured in LegalEra’s definitive guide, World’s Best General Counsel.
This appointment endorses the firm’s commitment to making the legal profession more diverse and inclusive. It also follows on from its official partnership with O Shaped in May 2022, an innovative movement with a mission to drive positive change within the legal sector.
In 2021, the firm also launched its revolutionary FAIRE (Fairer Access into Real Experience) initiative which aimed to change the way law firms recruit future talent and grow an industry-wide culture of inclusivity. FAIRE aims to support social mobility, offering students equal access to work experience that can pave the way for a career in the legal sector. It led to the firm being named the UK’s number one social mobility employer.
Speaking on the appointment, Declan Cushley, said: “We are delighted to have someone with Anneliese’s wealth of experience join us.
“Anneliese’s appointment and the future NED appointments reflect our commitment to re-think the traditional lawyer/client relationship. Anneliese and our other NEDs will help challenge our approach, supporting and influencing change.”
Browne Jacobson senior partner, Caroline Green added: “Anneliese’s track record as a senior board member is impressive and inspiring. We have worked hard over the past few years to build a more inclusive culture within our business and beyond, so it is fantastic to welcome Anneliese to our business sector board as well as three further female Non Executives in the near future.”
On joining Browne Jacobson, Anneliese commented: “Browne Jacobson have an excellent reputation for going the extra mile for their clients and for giving clear high quality legal advice on complex projects, but they are also a firm who have a real appetite for innovation and doings things differently. They recognise the need for the legal landscape to change and become more relevant to their clients and the sectors they serve; they are well versed in delivering advice to their clients in a pragmatic and straightforward way, but they are also recognised experts in those sectors too. I am excited to be supporting the firm in developing their approach.”
Construction company fined £80,000 after worker falls through fragile roof
A construction company from Leicestershire has been fined £80,000 after an employee suffered serious injuries falling through a fragile roof.
An employee of Cairns Heritage Homes Limited was carrying out a repair to the roof of Nottingham Recycling Limited on 1 August 2019 when he fell approximately 7m to the floor below.
A scaffold tower had been constructed for access to the roof but there were inadequate measures in place to ensure that the work would be completed safely.
The worker accessed the roof, attempting to devise his own ad-hoc working methods which included constructing a makeshift ladder/staging system from wooden planks.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Cairns Heritage Homes Limited had been contracted to repair the roof of the recycling plant while a ‘bailing machine’ was not being used.
Serious deficiencies in the planning and supervision of this work were identified together with the absence of a safe system of work.
There were insufficient measures to prevent a fall or minimise the distance or consequences of a fall such as safety netting. The makeshift staging provided by the employee was insufficient and failed to prevent a fall through the fragile roof panels resulting in them sustaining serious injuries.
Cairns Heritage Homes Limited, of Rectory Place, Old Parsonage Lane, Hoton, Loughborough, Leicestershire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,981 at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 28 September 2022.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Philip Gratton said: “Work on fragile roofs accounts for around a fifth of all fatal incidents that occur in the construction industry.
“Those in control of work on fragile roofs and other work at height have a responsibility to devise safe methods of work and to provide the necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision of their workers.
“If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to this incident, the life-changing injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented.”
Howes Percival recommended for 23 different legal specialisms in The Legal 500
The 2023 edition of The Legal 500 – the authoritative guide to the UK’s leading law firms – has recommended Howes Percival for 23 different legal specialisms and awarded the firm top tier ranking for 10.
The guide, which is based on independent research, interviews and feedback from clients about the service they receive from firms and lawyers, also recognises the UK’s leading lawyers – 77 Howes Percival lawyers received specific mentions in this year’s directory.
Howes Percival has achieved top tier rankings for:
- Corporate and Commercial
- Dispute Resolution – Commercial Litigation
- Dispute Resolution – Debt Recovery
- Finance – Insolvency and Corporate Recovery
- Human Resources – Employment
- Private Client – Tax, Trusts and Probate
- Real Estate – Commercial Property
- Real Estate – Environment & Planning
- Real Estate – Property litigation
- Intellectual Property
Derbyshire in talks with government for investment zone
Derbyshire County Council is in discussions with the government about establishing an investment zone in Derbyshire to encourage investment, support economic growth and create jobs.
It is one of 38 local authorities which have expressed an interest in establishing an investment zone to drive business growth and speed up development.
Areas hosting investment zones will benefit from:
- lower taxes – businesses in designated sites will benefit from time-limited tax benefits including 100% business rates relief on newly occupied and expanded premises; full stamp duty land tax relief on land bought for commercial or residential development; and a zero rate for Employer National Insurance contributions on new employee earnings up to £50,270 per year. Councils hosting investment zones will receive 100% of the business rates growth above an agreed baseline in designated sites for 25 years.
- accelerated development – there will be designated development sites to both release more land for housing and commercial development, and to support accelerated development. The need for planning applications will be minimised and where planning applications remain necessary, they will be radically streamlined. Development sites may be co-located with, or separate to, tax sites, depending on what makes most sense for the local economy.
- wider support for local growth – subject to demonstrating readiness, mayoral combined authorities hosting investment zones will receive a single local growth settlement.
Oblix Living acquires Leicester former HMRC building
Build to rent specialist Oblix Living has purchased the former HMRC tax offices from Mapeley in its first venture in the city.
The 89,000 square foot vacant building is set to be transformed into new homes with planning approval for 100 one and two bed apartments granted in August 2021.
Oblix Living is looking at options to re-design the scheme to meet current building regulations and also bring in amenities, such as a gym, residents’ lounge, workspace, car parking and a landscaped garden.
The Saxon House building on Causeway Lane sits opposite the High Cross shopping centre in the heart of Leicester and on the doorstep of the city’s bustling leisure scene.
Rishi Passi, CEO, Oblix Living said: “At Oblix Living we’re looking to fill a gap in the private rental market, providing well-specified homes with the amenities that people want, but without pushing prices up beyond most people’s reach.
“We’re going to need to re-design the existing plans for the site to meet changes in building regulations, but this also gives us the opportunity to create communal spaces for residents including a lounge, workspace and gym.
“This site benefits from a location right in the heart of the city, within walking distance to shops, restaurants and bars and good transport links. We see it appealing to young professionals looking for a well-designed apartment alongside communal spaces where they can socialise or work from home.”
Founded in 2020, Oblix Living is already on site in Sheffield with 95 apartments under construction at Iron Yard and is actively targeting other towns and cities across the UK. Taking a service-led approach, Oblix Living is creating homes for professionals seeking flexibility, security and amenities fit for modern day living.
Latest feats from Chesterfield’s Proact IT tackles tally raised for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice to £14,000
A Chesterfield boss really tested his endurance to raise money for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.
Glen Linsell, Operations Director at Proact IT UK on Dunston Technology Park ran the entire 145-mile length of the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham to London virtually NON-STOP.
Glen, 46, ran for 41 hours – almost two days – to finish the race 37th out of 180 runners and raise a whopping £2,600 in sponsorship for Bluebell Wood.
Glen, of Lambley, Nottinghamshire, began setting himself big physical goals when he turned 40.
He’s done Ironman Triathlons and Ultra Marathons and had built up enough stamina to run 52 miles when he signed up for the GUCR.
“It’s a ‘non-stop’ race; you are disqualified if you stop for more than 40 minutes, so you run through day and night and the odds of completing it, especially as a first-timer, aren’t high,” said Glen.
What kept him going were thoughts of the charity he was running for.
“Bluebell Wood in North Anston has been our company charity since 2015,” said Glen.
“I’ve been lucky enough to volunteer at the hospice on a few occasions and each time I’ve been blown away by the commitment of everyone involved there.
“What the staff and parents achieve at Bluebell makes any other accomplishment look pretty pale. They are the perfect inspiration for someone looking for a reason not to give up, as I was a few times during those 41 hours.
“At the end of the race I was mostly delirious, hallucinating and in pain, but the reception I got from my friends and family was incredible. I don’t plan on doing it again though!”
The Chesterfield staff have donated over £14,000 to Bluebell Wood over the last seven years, including £6,262 already raised in 2022, the fourth time employees have chosen the children’s hospice as their Charity Of The Year. In addition to sponsorship cash from Glen’s big feat, £3,662 has been raised by 30 pairs of feet heading up Kinder Scout in the Peak District.
Said Samantha Ambler, HR Director: “Lots of our employees are active walkers so we decided to combine two things we love – a walking challenge to support Bluebell Wood, our Charity Of The Year.
“Our employees have a real sense of connection with the hospice. They have enjoyed volunteering days at the hospice and the range of fundraisers they have been involved in over the years is vast.
“We are planning more fundraisers during the 2022 World Cup this winter and one of our vans will again be supporting the hospice’s Christmas tree collection service.”
Isobel Wells, Bluebell Wood’s Regional Fundraiser (Chesterfield and Derbyshire) commented: “We were amazed when we heard the immense feat Glen did in our name, but then, Proact IT’s entire team has been nothing short of wonderful in their support for us over the last seven years.
“We felt honoured when they chose us as their Charity Of The Year again in 2022.
“The hospice needs to raise over £5m each year to be there for local children and families who often have nowhere else to turn, so the continuing loyal support of companies like Proact IT is incredibly important to us.”
BHW achieve tier 1 rankings for both corporate/commercial and commercial property work
Independent Leicester-based law firm, BHW Solicitors, has once again been ranked toe-to-toe with the East Midland’s legal industry heavyweights in the 2023 Legal 500 guide.
The specialist commercial law firm’s rankings reflect the tremendous breadth of work it is entrusted with by an ever-growing client base of local business stalwarts and national household names.
The Firm has had its most successful listing ever with 5 departmental rankings and 12 individual lawyer recognitions for their standout contribution to their respective practices.
The most notable achievements are its Commercial Property department which has been promoted to the top Tier 1 status in the latest guide, while its Corporate/Commercial department has maintained its Tier 1 ranking for the fifth year in a row.
The Commercial Litigation department has achieved the fantastic feat of Tier 2 status in its first ever listing. Commercial Litigation head, Paul Davis, also achieved his first Recommended status.
Head of Corporate/Commercial, Ed Nurse, and Corporate Partner, Stephen McElhone, once again retained the highest accolade of Leading Individual and Corporate/Commercial Partner, Alex Clifton, received the Next Generation Partner award.
BHW’s Commercial Property team received its highest number of Recommended lawyers, with no fewer than 5 individual listings including Eleanor Rattay awarded Next Generation Partner, and Kate Burlinson and Raj Hundal added as Recommended lawyers.
BHW was also ranked for its IT & Telecoms and Employment services, including Employment Solicitor, Aimee Johns, awarded Rising Star.
The Legal 500 is the leading independent guide to the UK’s legal industry. It conducts an extensive research regime and holds thousands of interviews with law firm clients, lawyers, and professional contacts, to rank the best law firms and solicitors across the Country.
Nottingham trials UK’s first wireless electric taxis
Cabbies in Nottingham can now wirelessly charge their electric taxis as part of a pioneering Government-backed trial which underlines the city’s ambitions to become the UK’s first carbon neutral city by 2028.
The groundbreaking scheme has seen nine electric hackney cabs retrofitted with the latest, super-efficient wireless charging technology to power local journeys. The public can use the trailblazing new taxis at a specially upgraded rank outside Nottingham Station.
Nineteen local taxi drivers have so far volunteered to test a free cab to help Nottingham City Council and its project partners closely monitor the trial and share learnings with the Government to help shape future regulations and delivery of wireless charging projects.
This project will help partners discover the advantages and issues of this technology and iron out any problems.
Wireless Charging of Electric Taxis (WiCET) is a £3.4 million project funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles through Innovate UK to assess the commercial and technical viability of deploying wireless charging for electric hackney cabs.
The City Council secured £930,000 from the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles through Innovate UK for the WiCET project. This is a UK first involving both London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) and Nissan Dynamo electric taxis, placing Nottingham at the forefront of green technology innovation.
It is expected that the trial of the wireless charging technology will demonstrate a range of benefits, including:
- Easy and convenient charging – drivers will be able to start a charge while waiting for passengers by driving over the pad without needing to leave their vehicle
- Reducing street clutter – no charging cables are required as the wireless charging equipment is built into the road surface
- Encouraging the adoption of more electric taxis in the city, which will lead to a reduction in emissions and help the city to achieve its 2028 carbon neutral target.
Company appointed to manage £14m Vulcan Works Creative Hub
West Northamptonshire Council has appointed specialist innovation centre management company, Oxford Innovation Space, to manage Vulcan Works Creative Hub, a new innovation centre for Northampton’s small creative businesses.
Located in the heart of the town’s Cultural Quarter and Waterside Enterprise Zone, Vulcan Works consists of 68 lettable units specifically aimed at start-ups and growing businesses within the creative industry.
West Northamptonshire Council has led the multi-million regeneration project to transform the area, including two new buildings, along with the renovation of a former ironworks and a collection of old and derelict industrial workshops, to provide local creative businesses with studios, workshops, and managed workspaces. It is anticipated that during its first ten years of operation, Vulcan Works will support up to 150 businesses across the county, creating around 500 jobs.
With over 30 years at the forefront of providing support to start-ups, Oxford Innovation Space successfully manages innovation centres throughout the UK, providing expert support and knowledge to drive business growth and regional success.
Jo Stevens, Managing Director, Oxford Innovation, said: “We’re delighted to be managing this new centre that is part of such an inspiring rejuvenation project. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide bespoke support for all businesses within our centres. It’s much more than a workspace, we build innovative communities, that with the expert support from our innovation directors, are encouraged to grow and thrive.”
She added: “Northampton has been identified as one of the top 10 innovative places in the UK. We’re really looking forward to help drive this further and maximise the innovative spirit of the town.”
South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) has contributed £6.3m towards the £14m scheme, through the Local Growth Fund and a further £3m contribution coming from the Waterside Enterprise Zone.
Cllr Daniel Lister, cabinet member for economic development, town centre regeneration and growth at West Northamptonshire Council, said: “Oxford Innovation has a fantastic track record in managing sites like Vulcan Works and we’re very lucky to have them on board. I know with their guidance and support, the small creative businesses choosing the site as their home will go from strength to strength.”
The workspaces are expected to be available from early next year.
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance Doctor shortlisted for National Award
A Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) doctor who is blazing a trail for young surgeons through his work at the charity, has been shortlisted in the Air Ambulances UK (AAUK) Awards of Excellence.
Dr Mike Hughes is different to other air ambulance doctors in that he comes from a surgical background, something that isn’t often seen in the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) – a world which is largely populated with doctors from anaesthesia and emergency medicine.
But it’s his set of skills that has brought a different perspective to the work of the crews on board the helicopter.
LNAA’s Deputy Medical Director, Doctor Adam Chesters said: Almost immediately after being signed off in the service, Mike attended a series of difficult cases, treating some of the sickest patients attended by the service in this time. Using his surgical expertise, he was able to help deliver the very highest quality of care to the patient.”
Mike joined LNAA in February 2022 and has been called out to 176 incidents in that time. He has dealt with some of the most challenging shifts over the summer and being a surgeon rather than an anaesthetist has meant he has carried out some medical interventions using a skill set that the other doctors do not have. Incidents include 36 road traffic incidents, 23 cardiac arrests and 19 incidents of self-harm.
When he attended a patient who had been stabbed in the neck, rather than apply direct pressure to the bleeding wound, Mike has the skills to be able to dissect down and tie off the bleeding vessels using forceps before transferring the patient to the nearest Major Trauma Centre with the forceps in situ. This technique is a better way of stopping the bleeding and it’s not in the skillset of any other doctors at LNAA and in very few across the air ambulance community.
Mike also recently passed the Fellowship of the College of Royal Surgeons examination in Major Trauma Surgery – he is the first person to ever sit the exam and so the first to pass it! An amazing achievement after his first busy six months at LNAA and the recent birth of his third child.
The annual awards celebrate and recognise the specialist lifesaving skills and commitment of those working tirelessly within and in support of the air ambulance community across the UK.
The awards ceremony will be held at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham on 14 November where crew members will be willing Mike to scoop the Doctor of the Year award.
