2025 Business Predictions: Gary Piper, Sales Director at Barron McCann
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Gary Piper, Sales Director at Barron McCann, a provider of IT services across retail, hospitality, travel, banking and payments throughout the UK and Europe.
In 2025, additional revenue streams like digital media and advertising spaces will play an increasingly critical role for retailers. On screen advertising space will be an opportunity that stores should own, but we will start seeing these spaces, and WIFI advertising space, sold to external advertisers too. We’re going to see even smarter technology emerge, capable of tracking customers throughout store and delivering highly targeted advertisements.
Smart shelf solutions are also gaining traction – improving pricing accuracy and supporting consumer-facing apps like the Co-op’s or Tesco’s Clubcard app, enabling members to view exclusive pricing. Customer experience is becoming more critical than ever and aligning with individual customer behaviours is essential for retailers to stay competitive.
Serving the eco-conscious customer is another opportunity retailers can’t afford to overlook. EV charging stations, for example, not only support sustainability goals but also drive footfall and loyalty. The focus here isn’t on making money from the chargers but on keeping customers who value these services from going elsewhere. With EV technology becoming more affordable and reliable, it’s crucial for retailers to stay ahead.
Moving to low-carbon logistics is a key part of this – think green vehicles for last-mile delivery and initiatives that encourage employees and customers to adopt more sustainable practices.
For hospitality and retail businesses, leveraging green technologies will be a powerful way to attract eco-conscious customers by 2025. IT hardware recycling is one example of how we can embed sustainability into our operations while also demonstrating our commitment to the environment.
E-commerce business expands at Silverstone Park
Diva Group’s presence at Silverstone Park is set to expand significantly as Diva Patang, one of Afghanistan’s leading businesswomen in Europe, is to dramatically increase the size of her e-commerce business.
Diva Group is in the process of moving from its 33,000 sq ft premises to newer 100,000 sq ft industrial accommodation at the innovation and technology campus. Employee numbers are set to double to around 200 as a result of the move.
The business has already invested heavily in the use of AI plus, more recently, over £1m in automation systems to keep up with consumer demand for the big brand products it sells online.
Diva, who located her business to Silverstone Park with just 20 employees three years ago, says growing belief in her vision from external forces has given her the confidence to expand.
“Before Covid, online business was not as known to so many big brands,” explains Diva. “I remember trying to impress them and they weren’t that interested but now it is the other way around – they knock on our door to impress us to say ‘we’ve got the good brand, why don’t you bring it onto your shelves’.
“I think that just shows the growth in online business and the technology that people are using today.”
Diva continued: “In the next few months the premises will be transformed with a huge amount of warehousing for distribution – we anticipate serving a huge number of customers.
“A lot of automation is coming – we’ve invested over £1m alone on automation and bringing new technology into the business such as belting systems to make our business growth faster.
“AI is separate and something we’re already using. I’ve been careful to ensure I personally understand the AI so it is used in the correct way for our customers. This has proved highly effective in dealing with customer enquiries – 99.9% in fact.”
Diva says her business also has the means to move with the times in terms of consumer demand.
“As technology has improved, we have the online tools now to see what consumers are searching for the most.
“This enables us to respond to these trends and fill those niches.”
She added: “Who knows, maybe in the next few years there will be little robots running around in our premises – they perhaps need to be more advanced before we bring them, but it is something I want to bring in maybe the next stages of our growth. They could be part of our future but I think automation is the future anyway.
“I believe in the next three to five years we can be three or five times bigger than we are now – this is my challenge.
“I’m very happy with my business being at Silverstone Park – it’s a place that is providing huge opportunities for big companies and I’m actually proud to be with all these brands, companies and names in technology. And of course it’s nice to now be the holder of the biggest property here.”
G F Tomlinson raises funds and awareness in year supporting Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has reflected on its impactful partnership with the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust (ADCT) as its chosen charity for 2024.
The year-long collaboration has seen the team come together to raise £3,700 and vital awareness for a life-threatening condition that affects seventy people weekly across the UK and Ireland.
Aortic Dissection is a serious heart condition caused by a tear in the wall of the aorta. Without early detection and treatment, it can lead to devastating consequences, yet with timely intervention, survival rates can soar to 80%.
In support of the ADCT’s mission to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment outcomes, G F Tomlinson hosted an array of fundraising activities throughout the year, dedicating 386 volunteering hours in total.
Key activities in 2024 included:
- April: A pre-recorded Q&A video featuring Pauline Latham OBE MP, a Trustee of the charity, alongside G F Tomlinson’s HSEQ Advisor Mark Houldsworth. Pauline shared her motivations for supporting the charity, her personal connection to the cause, and vital information about the signs and symptoms of Aortic Dissection.
- June: Site Managers Phil and Ed completed the gruelling Lake District Ultra Challenge, conquering a continuous 100km loop around the Southern Lakes.
- October: Attendance at the Aortic Dissection Charity Ball held at Pride Park Stadium, further strengthening connections within the community and purchased items in the silent auction on the night.
- November: A staff charity quiz night and raffle brought teams together in a fun and engaging way to support the charity.
- December: A festive Christmas Jumper Day closed out the year with all proceeds donated to the ADCT.
East Midlands unemployment falls to lowest level in over a year
With unemployment in the region among over 16’s having dropped more than any other region in the UK to 3.8%, East Midlands Chamber says the impact of higher staffing costs businesses face from April, following measures announced in the Autumn Budget has yet to be seen.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics covers September to November 2024 and is now the lowest unemployment rate in England, having fallen 0.8% from the previous quarter. The last time the figure was below this point was April to June 2023.
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Falling unemployment is absolutely something we want to see, getting people into jobs and driving the East Midlands economy, but the reality is we’re not at a champagne moment. The swathe of costly measures announced to businesses in the tough Autumn Budget hasn’t hit yet and could well turn this figure upside down.
“Our most recent Quarterly Economic Survey revealed Corporate Taxation at the top of concerns reported by businesses, followed by inflation and business rates. With National Insurance contributions set to rise and a lower rate at which payments are made, added to a higher national living wage on the horizon, businesses have difficult decisions to address.
“We have strong data that shows a doubling of East Midlands businesses planning to cut back on recruitment, up to 22% of firms. To put perspective on that, it was 9% in the survey we carried out before the Autumn Budget was announced.
“Three out of ten respondents in the survey after the Budget have revised their investment plans downwards for training, while six out of ten plan to up their prices. These are signs that businesses are going ‘should we really be pushing up our costs when we’ve got huge added costs to foot somehow.’
“Our Quarterly Economic Survey is a reliable indicator of business intention in the East Midlands as it’s based on both sentiment and measurable factors. Businesses invest when times are good and the right environment is in place, but when you’ve attributed a certain amount of outgoing cash and then learn your staffing costs will be higher than anticipated you may well rethink.
“Political leaders must not sit back and wait to see how the next few months unfold. We need policies in place that are supportive to businesses in the East Midlands, enable uninhibited growth, so businesses are not having to freeze spending to protect themselves.”
Chesterfield architects set up base north of the border
Chesterfield’s Whittam Cox Architects has opened a new office in Dundee to serve as a hub for the practice’s growing portfolio of projects in Scotland.
This strategic move aims to strengthen the company’s footprint in the region, with a particular focus on driving growth in the retail sector, as well as providing further potential to expand into a wider architectural offer to deliver projects in other sectors.
The practice has worked in Scotland for many years with some of the UK’s leading retailers. This office will look to further develop their ability to deliver a range of projects in the country.
Andy Dabbs, Managing Exec Director, said:“We are thrilled to officially launch our new office in Scotland. We see Scotland as a diverse and dynamic market for us. By establishing a local presence, we aim to deepen our relationships with existing clients and enhance our proposition and reach for new client growth, both here and in Ireland”.
The Scottish office will focus initially on retail work. The firms long-standing expertise in retail architecture will be complemented by its aspiration to deliver wider architectural design and delivery services in the region.
The new office will be led through the new appointment of Regional Director Clive Gordon; a retail and technical expert with experience spanning many years. Clive is known to the practice through collaborating on previous projects together.
Leicestershire precision engineering firm acquires supplier
A precision engineering firm in Hinckley has acquired one of its main suppliers.
H2M Engineering Limited, which is based in Hinckley and specialises in producing machined components, has purchased Accurate Grinding Limited.
Law firm Wright Hassall acted on behalf of H2M Engineering Managing Director Andy Forryan and Production and Engineering Director Martin Forryan to acquire the business.
Accurate Grinding Limited, which was based in neighbouring Barwell, operates grinding machines to grind, shape and finish metal components and has now re-located to the H2M Engineering site.
H2M Engineering produces and assembles components for a range of industries including aerospace, autosport and gas generation across the UK.
Penelope Sankey, of Wright Hassall, acted on the acquisition, with the corporate finance advice provided by Greg Philp and Holly Andrews, of Horizon TAS.
Penelope said: “We are extremely pleased to complete this acquisition on behalf of H2M Engineering as the business looks to expand its offering.
“This deal has seen H2M acquire one of its key suppliers, enabling it to bring everything under one roof and offer an expanded range of products to its clients.
“It is always very positive to be able to support a growing business, and we wish H2M Engineering every success for the future.”
Greg Philp, of Horizon TAS, said: “We worked closely with H2M Engineering, as well as a team of other local advisors, to make sure the deal was structured in a way that worked for everyone—financially, legally, and personally.
“It’s been fantastic to see two local businesses with shared values come together, and we’re excited to watch them grow side by side in the future.”
Soft furnishings company falls into administration
Nottinghamshire-based soft furnishings company Home Curtains (UK) Limited has fallen into administration.
Home Curtains is a leading name in the home furnishings industry, with over 35 years of industry experience, supplying products to a large number of retailers and direct to customers.
Due to rising costs of materials, shipping and energy, alongside reduced consumer spending and inflationary pressures, the company faced difficulty maintaining profit, and now Dean Nelson, Head of Business Recovery and Restructuring at PKF Smith Cooper, has been appointed joint administrator.
Trading of the business is being continued over the coming weeks, under the supervision of the joint administrator, whilst either a purchaser is found for the business and its assets, or the substantial quantity of stock is wound down and sold.
The administrator has already negotiated a significant sale for a proportion of the company’s available stock.
Dean Nelson said: “I continue to encourage both the trade and the public to seize the opportunities available during this trading period for the company. I will be working towards maximising sales of stocks to obtain the best possible outcome for all creditors and stakeholders.”
Paragon supports Midlands property developers through £150m development finance
Paragon Bank’s Development Finance division lent nearly £150 million to developers and housebuilders in the Midlands last year, boosting new homes across the region.
The team supported 16 projects throughout the region in the year to 30 September 2024 (Paragon’s financial year), including schemes in Birmingham, Coventry, Derby, Nottingham and Wolverhampton.
In terms of the split, £103 million was lent to developers in the West Midlands across 11 schemes, with £45 million financing five projects in the East Midlands.
Amongst the schemes supported were:
- £21.1 million funding for the second phase of Elevate Property Group’s Silk Yard Development in Derby
- £5.4 million funding for a 34-unit scheme in Nottingham for Hockley Developments Ltd
Balfour Beatty to sell Derby rail measurement business to Hitachi
Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has reached agreement for the sale of Omnicom, its Derby-based specialist rail measurement hardware and intelligent software business, to Hitachi Rail.
The acquisition by Hitachi Rail will support Omnicom’s growth strategy to expand beyond the UK into the US and European markets. Balfour Beatty’s UK Rail business will continue to focus on its core capability of managing, enhancing and maintaining thousands of miles of railways and supporting rail infrastructure across the UK.
Over the last decade, Omnicom’s capabilities and offering to the market has strengthened through acquisition and organic growth.
Today, with its over 100-strong subject matter experts, it develops and deploys proven, AI enabled technology alongside robust hardware and software to capture rail data. This assures operational stability and enhances train-borne monitoring of rail infrastructure for customers such as Network Rail and London Underground.
Mick Rayner, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s UK Rail business, said: “In order to capitalise on its unique technological solutions to the Rail market, Omnicom requires an owner with a truly global reach and a complementary culture.
“Hitachi’s acquisition will further enable Omnicom to leverage its capabilities and apply its expertise in the rail and digital technology sectors in both the US and European markets.”
Sanjay Razdan, Managing Director of Omnicom, said: “This acquisition strengthens Omnicom’s ability to collaborate, innovate and deliver AI-enabled systems and services whilst further enhancing the safety, efficiency, and reliability of rail infrastructure, building on our proven data driven solutions which help predict and prevent railway asset failures.
“I look forward to Omnicom’s continuing success as part of the Hitachi brand.”
Hitachi Rail CEO, Giuseppe Marino, said: “This is a strategic acquisition for Hitachi Rail. Plugging Omnicom’s pioneering track monitoring tools into our digital asset management platform, will further strengthen our global offer to optimize customers’ rail services and the surrounding infrastructure.
“New technological solutions such as our HMAX platform demonstrate the power of AI to enhance the performance of our railway infrastructure and systems.”
Yü Group delivers “strong” 2024
Nottingham-based Yü Group, the independent supplier of gas, electricity, meter asset owner and installer of smart meters to the UK corporate sector, has “delivered a strong 2024.”
According to a trading update for the financial year ended 31 December 2024, revenues grew 40% and are expected to be approaching £650m.
Meanwhile, delivery of 2024 EBITDA margin is forecasted above expectations, driven by strong contract profitability in the second half of the year, robust hedging policy and tightly managed bad debt.The year saw continued growth in Yü Energy, during which meter points supplied increased 65% to 88k, and volume of energy supplied (EQVS) increased organically by 78%.
Average monthly new bookings, however, of £42.6m was down from £55.5m in 2023, reflecting a softer commodity pricing environment.
Revenue contracted for the next financial year increased 9% to £566m.Progress was also mode at Yü Smart, with continued scaling up of meter installs growing 169% in the year to 22.9k.
Bobby Kalar, CEO of Yü Group, said: “The Group has delivered a strong 2024 and I’m delighted, once again, to update shareholders on our progress.
“Yü Energy, our supply business, has seen a c.40% increase in revenue despite lower commodity pricing, and we enter 2025 with 88,000 meter points, up 65%.
“Yü Smart continues to deliver incredible advantages to our customers and the Group, and we now have national coverage of skilled engineers. We have financed 27,200 smart meter assets which provide a growing index-linked annuity income stream alongside other significant benefits to our customers and our own operation.
“I look back with pride on our journey and the hard yards invested, which have seen a quadrupling of revenue in the last four years. While our increased scale suggests a lower organic growth rate in the future, our Group is well placed to continue to take market share with a significant opportunity remaining.
“Our business is in good shape across Yü Energy and Yü Smart to continue to deliver. We have a fantastic and dedicated team in place, and I’d like to thank them for all the work done in delivering yet-another record year.”
Weakening consumer confidence and unseasonal weather conditions hit revenue and profit at Shoe Zone
Shoe Zone has seen a fall in revenue and profit, as weakening consumer confidence and unseasonal weather conditions hit the Leicester business.
According to audited results for the 52 weeks to 28 September 2024, revenue was £161.3m, down from £165.7m in the prior year.
While store revenue reduced by 6.5% to £126.1m, trading out of 26 fewer stores, digital revenues increased by 13.9% to £35.2m, driven by an increase in conversion, due to the introduction of free next day delivery on all shoezone.com orders and strong Amazon sales.
Profit before tax stood at £10.1m, declining from £16.2m, which the firm said was “primarily due to the challenging second half trading environment, as a result of unseasonal weather conditions, particularly in peak summer, higher container prices, higher energy costs, higher depreciation charges due to increased capital expenditure, and higher wage costs due to the National Living Wage increase.”
The business told the London Stock Exchange: “Shoe Zone had a good year, essentially split into two halves. The first six months saw strong and consistent trading, followed by disappointing store sales, due to the weakening of consumer confidence and unseasonal weather conditions, particularly during peak summer.
“That said, the key back to school trading in the second half was positive, and ahead of the previous year, as were Digital sales, which had strong growth for the full period.”
Plans for 314,000 sq ft of employment space submitted in Leicestershire
Richborough Commercial has submitted an outline planning application for the development of a 23.4 acre site in Ellistown, north west Leicestershire.
It is looking to provide up to 314,000 sq ft of employment development floorspace, providing industrial, storage or distribution space, together with habitat creation landscaping and associated infrastructure.
The site, located on Midland Road, Ellistown, is adjacent to Bardon Hill and is some 3.5 miles from Junction 22 of the M1.
Nick Jones, Group Director at Richborough Commercial, said: “We are very pleased to submit the application on behalf of our landowner.
“We look forward to working with North West Leicestershire District Council and its consultees to secure a positive outcome at planning committee in 2025, to be able to provide the range of commercial units to satisfy the needs of occupiers, the strong demand for which has been identified by both Richborough and the local authority.”
Richborough Commercial anticipates bringing the site to the market mid-2025.
Beano to take over Coach and Horses after £200k refurb
The Coach & Horses pub in Ashbourne’s Dog Street has closed for a £200,000 revamp by Heineken-owned Star Pubs, after which firefighter Ian Godfrey will take the reins as the new operator.
The venue will reopen in late February in time for Ashbourne’s Shrovetide Football, which Ian has participated in every year since the age of 15.
Ian, known as Beano in the town, said: “I love Ashbourne; I’ve lived here all my life and try to do what I can to support it. The Coach & Horses was always very popular when I was growing up, and I’ve got many happy memories of visiting with my family. I’d like to return it to its glory days as a great pub for visitors to the town and a hub of local life that serves the whole community.
“I’ve always wanted to run a pub in my home town that was big enough to accommodate live bands. They’re hard to come by: when I spotted The Coach & Horses was available, I knew it was now or never. People are very excited about the improvements and to see the pub getting the TLC it needs to make a comeback. The pub has a fantastic team of staff who are staying on, so though it will look very different, there’ll be lots of familiar, friendly faces.”
Lorna Willoughby, Star Pubs’ investment manager for the Peak District, said: “Ian is very civic-minded and enthusiastic. The works combined with his plans will give The Coach & Horses a much broader appeal and put it back at the heart of the community.”
2025 Business Predictions: Sarah Newton, director, Penguin PR
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Sarah Newton, director at Penguin PR.
As we move into 2025 the demand for authenticity will become increasingly important in the world of PR. Undoubtedly, AI-generated content will be more abundant, but audiences will become quicker at detecting inauthentic or formulaic messaging. This means genuine messaging will be more important than ever.
Consumers will increasingly value human connection, transparency and brands that resonate on a personal and emotional level. AI may provide efficiency, but it cannot replace the genuine storytelling and human connections that build trust.
Modern audiences, particularly Gen Z and millennials, expect brands to take a stand on social, cultural and environmental issues in ways that feel sincere and consistent. PR strategies that prioritise human voices, relatable stories and real experiences will resonate far more deeply than AI-generated content that lacks nuance or emotional intelligence.
When it comes to crisis communication, people will prefer to connect with brands that admit mistakes, engage in open dialogue and demonstrate accountability. AI tools may help craft responses quickly, but audiences will only trust brands that communicate with genuine care and transparency.
As the PR landscape becomes more saturated with AI-powered solutions, the brands that thrive will be those that leverage technology to enhance – not replace – authentic human storytelling. By prioritising meaningful voices over automated content, the PR professionals that will stand out in 2025 will be the credible, relatable and honest communicators.
Vistry Group completes first deal with Placefirst to bring 139 private rental homes to Mansfield
Vistry Group, the provider of mixed-tenure homes, has sealed its first deal with Placefirst, the build-to-rent property developer-operators, for 139 of the 156 new homes that have been given the green light at Redruth Road in Mansfield.
Once constructed by Vistry, Placefirst will manage the homes for long-term rent, with a focus on fostering a strong sense of community and maintaining the high standard of construction quality.
Redruth Road will be Placefirst’s second presence in the East Midlands, following the acquisition of 34 homes in Corby last year.
The 9.8-acre site, previously owned by Mansfield District Council, now has full planning permission for 156 properties, secured with the assistance of O’Connell Property Ltd.
The two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes, as well as one-bedroom maisonettes, will be served by carefully designed footpaths and roads to ensure excellent connectivity through the new development to the surrounding communities.
As well as building new homes, Vistry is committing £536,869 to bolster local services. This includes a £91,576 cash injection for healthcare, £90,322 towards education and £318,062 for roads and transport. The scheme will also include a leap and trim trail through the public spaces and playground equipment for younger members of the community.
Each of the homes will be built using modern methods of construction (MMC) reducing the carbon footprint of every property. The homes will be manufactured off site using open panel timber frames from the Vistry Works East Midlands factory in Bardon in neighbouring Leicestershire.
Each home built using these panels emits 14,460kg CO2e less than a traditional brick-and-block house and will be designed to complement the surrounding area.
Lee Parry, Managing Director of Vistry North East Midlands, said: “It’s great to be working with Placefirst as we embark on what we hope is the first scheme of a fruitful partnership. Together we can make inroads into the shortage of rental properties in the region, bringing new family homes where they are needed most.
“We’re excited to have secured full planning permission for this site, which forms part of Nottinghamshire’s ongoing growth, and to be entrusted with creating high-quality homes here that will strike a harmonious balance between family-friendly housing and green open spaces, creating a thriving and sustainable community.”
Henry Marshall, Investment Director for Placefirst, said: “As we grow, our priority remains providing residents with the sort of exceptional stress-free living experience that inspires them to see the benefits of renting, and treat it as an active choice.
“Through a shared commitment to minimising environmental impact while keeping energy bills low for residents, this new partnership with leading housebuilder Vistry Group marks a step up in our ambitions for nationwide growth, while ensuring we continue delivering the market-leading standard of homes we are known for.
“Mansfield has faced challenges in meeting rising demand for homes, as seen by the increased housing target last year. This collaboration will play a key role in driving the town’s progress by delivering diverse, high-quality homes that support a growing population.”
BDO advises on £3.4bn deal value across Midlands and East of England
Accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO LLP has advised on 69 deals across the Midlands and East of England with a combined value of £3.4bn in 2024. Deal activity spanned 10 sectors, with over a third of BDO’s activity international/cross-border in nature.
During 2024, across the Midlands and East of England, BDO’s M&A, Transaction Services and Tax teams advised on 49 buy-side and 20 sell-side deals. Nearly half of all transactions (33 deals, 48%) involved private equity, with a further 31 deals (45%) involving corporate/trade and five deals capital markets related.
Vinod Patel, Partner, Deal Advisory – Transaction Services – said: “It’s fair to say that the economic headwinds have continued to create a difficult trading environment for many regional businesses, but their resilience and ambition translated into sustained deal activity throughout the year.
“While the Autumn Budget has added an additional layer of pressure for many businesses, what it has done is provided a degree of political and economic certainty, which will only benefit the M&A market in both the Midlands and East of England.
“Yes, the National Insurance Contribution (NIC) increase will sting for many, undoubtedly impacting on cost bases in 2025. For some, this will result in a reduction in headcount, a pause on pay rises and a freeze on recruitment, amongst other things. However, what it’s likely to bring is a greater examination of pricing strategies – by those businesses that are able to – in response to increased costs.”
Standout BDO deals across the Midlands and East of England in 2024 involved a wide range of buyers, including corporate/trade, private equity, debt and capital/plc markets in the UK and internationally.
These included: providing financial due diligence services to HSBC in respect of the take private and refinancing of AIM listed Rotala PLC (transport solutions business); the sale of Utopia Tableware to Steelite International (a portfolio company of US Private Equity house, Arbor Investments); the sale of Torus Technology to KKR backed IP Group; as well as providing buy-side financial and tax due diligence and SPA advisory services to Nurture Group on its buy & build strategy, including its 50th and largest acquisition of Tivoli Group.
In addition, BDO provided sell-side financial and tax due diligence support to Clifton Packaging Group on its sale to Carton Pack (an Italian group and portfolio company of A&M Capital Europe); buy-side M&A and commercial due diligence for LDC on its investment into Integrated Doorset Solutions; sell-side tax advisory services on the sale of CCS Media (one of the UK’s largest IT resellers) to Goldman Sachs-backed Advania; sell-side financial, tax and SPA advisory services to Charles Street Buildings Group to Lone Star, a leading private equity firm; while raising growth funding for PitPat (designer and creator of GPS Trackers & Activity Monitors for pets) from Correlation One Investments (Europe) Limited.
Roger Buckley, Partner, Deal Advisory – Mergers & Acquisitions – added: “Despite several competing factors, there is a growing sense of optimism for 2025. Despite the negativity arising from the 2024 Budget, we are expecting activity levels to exceed those seen in 2024, which is backed by a strong pipeline of engagements and opportunities.
“The UK faces many challenges. Yet both trade and private equity appetite for deals remains, with significant “dry powder” to deploy and portfolio companies to exit. M&A activity will also be underpinned by a desire to consolidate, particularly in those markets that remain fragmented with businesses executing buy and build strategies to achieve scale and gain market share in 2025.”
In light of the future pipeline, BDO continues to invest in its Deal Advisory team across the Midlands and East of England with the appointment of eight people, including Steve Round, as Deals – Tax partner.
Businesses called on to spend a night sleeping out, so others don’t have to
YMCA Derbyshire is calling on individuals, businesses, and community groups across the city and county to come together to spend a night sleeping out, so others don’t have to.
Sleep Easy will take place at the County Ground, home of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, on Friday 7 March 2025. Tickets cost £10 for adults in full-time employment and £5 for young people aged 17 and under.
Each year the event brings together over 100 people who challenge themselves to sleep out for one night to raise money for those at risk of homelessness and social isolation.
Last year’s event raised just over £35,000, which was used to provide a wide range of youth and community services, enabling those they support to move along their positive pathways. Thanks to this incredible support, the charity was able to make a real impact last year.
- 325 individuals at risk of homelessness were given a safe place to live in the charity’s housing
- 884 hours of therapeutic counselling was delivered
- 95 residents were supported to gain a qualification
- 36 residents who engaged in employment programmes gained employment
- 10,310 hot meals were served to those in need, and over 1,000 food parcels were provided
- 653 individual support sessions were delivered
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire businesses encouraged to embrace new skills initiatives
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire businesses are being encouraged to embrace new skills initiatives which aim to create high-quality jobs, bridge skills gaps, and ensure the region thrives in high-growth industries.
The upcoming Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference will outline how businesses can access and bolster local talent to support the growth of the economy.
The conference will highlight new and emerging policy at national and regional levels. This includes the government’s intention to launch foundation and short apprenticeships in key sectors, investing £40m to create a Growth and Skills Levy and a Youth Guarantee Trailblazers initiative. The East Midlands is one of eight areas in England and Wales set to benefit from additional funding for young people.
Delegates will also gain updates on existing programmes that enable new and existing employees to access an apprenticeship or other work-related training, such as Skills Bootcamps and supported internships – with no or minimal cost to employers. Experts will update delegates on emerging topics, initiatives, funding, and opportunities to upskill their workforce.
The conference will hear from Cllr Paul Hezelgrave, Portfolio Lead for Skills & Employment at East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), who will speak about the challenges and opportunities in skills and employment across the region.
Cllr Hezelgrave commented: “The East Midlands is at the forefront of innovation, and we want to ensure our businesses are equipped to harness future growth in our region. By investing in local talent, we can close skills gaps, create high-quality jobs, and support sustainable and inclusive growth.
“This is an exciting time for employers to shape the future of our workforce, so I would encourage businesses to attend the conference and gain a comprehensive overview of the latest opportunities. I look forward to meeting regular members of our business community who attend the conference, and many new ones.”
Delegates will also hear about the benefits of inclusive recruitment and how employers can engage with a new project. Six Youth Voice Ambassadors will attend to share their experiences of the Connected Futures project, which is designed to break down barriers and improve access to employment for young people with learning disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Condition.
Back by popular demand, the conference will once again include an interactive Round Table session, giving businesses a unique chance to engage with four different table hosts who are experts on skills support and funding.
The conference seeks to strengthen existing links between education providers and local businesses. This helps ensure school leavers become work-ready and can ‘make it’ in their hometown.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We are proud to deliver the annual Employability and Skills Conference, which plays a vital role in supporting continued collaboration among businesses and the skills and education sector, promoting the sharing of best practices, and enhancing the skills of our residents.
“By developing a resilient workforce, we can help local businesses seize new opportunities and drive growth.
“This year’s conference places a strong emphasis on the wide range of support available to local businesses, and I encourage all business leaders to attend and explore the resources on offer.”
The Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership delivers the Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability & Skills Conference in association with Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield.
Businesses urged to embrace new skills initiatives to help region thrive
Chesterfield and North Derbyshire businesses are being encouraged to embrace new skills initiatives with the objective of creating high-quality jobs, bridging skills gaps, and ensuring the region thrives in high-growth industries.
The forthcoming Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Employability and Skills Conference will outline how businesses can access and bolster local talent to support the growth of our economy.
The conference will highlight new and emerging policy at national and regional levels. This includes the government’s intention to launch foundation and short apprenticeships in key sectors, investing £40m to create a Growth and Skills Levy and a Youth Guarantee Trailblazers initiative. The East Midlands is one of eight areas in England and Wales set to benefit from additional funding for young people.
Delegates will also gain updates on existing programmes that enable new and existing employees to access an apprenticeship or other work-related training, such as Skills Bootcamps and supported internships – with no or minimal cost to employers.[1] Experts will update delegates on emerging topics, initiatives, funding, and opportunities to upskill their workforce.
The conference will hear from Cllr Paul Hezelgrave, Portfolio Lead for Skills & Employment at East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), who will speak about the challenges and opportunities in skills and employment across the region.
Cllr Hezelgrave said: “The East Midlands is at the forefront of innovation, and we want to ensure our businesses are equipped to harness future growth in our region. By investing in local talent, we can close skills gaps, create high-quality jobs, and support sustainable and inclusive growth. This is an exciting time for employers to shape the future of our workforce, so I would encourage businesses to attend the conference and gain a comprehensive overview of the latest opportunities. I look forward to meeting regular members of our business community who attend the conference, and many new ones.”
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, commented: “We are proud to deliver the annual Employability and Skills Conference, which plays a vital role in supporting continued collaboration among businesses and the skills and education sector, promoting the sharing of best practices, and enhancing the skills of our residents. By developing a resilient workforce, we can help local businesses seize new opportunities and drive growth.
“This year’s conference places a strong emphasis on the wide range of support available to local businesses, and I encourage all business leaders to attend and explore the resources on offer.”
Details disclosed on Ryedale Caravan & Leisure’s financial struggles as caravan and leisure sector experiences “period of decline”
PKF Smith Cooper has disclosed more details surrounding Ryedale Caravan & Leisure’s financial struggles, citing a “period of decline” in the caravan and leisure industry as the leading cause.
This announcement follows the news publicised earlier this month that Ryedale’s company directors are currently working with business recovery experts at PKF Smith Cooper to review the business’s financial position and explore the possibility of marketing the Leicestershire-based caravan retailer for sale.
The caravan and leisure sector has been in a period of decline for a while, with a large number of caravan dealerships being closed as a result.
Other caravan dealerships that have succumbed to the challenges facing the industry include Lady Bailey Caravans, a high-profile dealer of 30 years from Blandford Forum that recently announced its closure, and Alcester-based Broad Lane Leisure Limited, a similar sized dealership to Ryedale that entered into Administration on 9th July 2024.
Brett Barton, Business Restructuring and Recovery Partner at PKF Smith Cooper, said: “Whilst the industry enjoyed increased levels of success in the pandemic with the staycation boom, recent issues with rising ownership costs – including new caravans, running costs and site fee costs – have resulted in a period of contraction.
“Other external factors have also had an impact, such as the rise in electric car ownership and the limitation on towing capacity for this vehicle type. Electric cars are on average 1250kg gross weight compared with a VW Passat Estate that can tow 2000kg.
“In addition, towing a caravan significantly reduces the distance between charges for electric vehicles as the UK charging infrastructure is not set up for vehicles that are towing a caravan or a trailer. This means that you would have to park up, unhitch the caravan, charge the car and then return to re-hitch the caravan to complete your journey.
“Due to these factors, Ryedale Caravan & Leisure has been struggling to sell the requisite number of caravans to cover its overheads, which culminated in a large number of 2024 variants remaining on site while the new 2025 versions are now being offered elsewhere in the market.
“We are also aware through our industry knowledge that the manufacturers tried to stimulate the new caravan market by offering discounts at the show held at the NEC in October 2024 and then extended those discounts for several weeks after the show. This unprecedented step has further agitated the ability to sell the 2024 stock.
“The lack of sales of new caravans has meant that payments on account have become due and payable to the finance companies that provide stock finance to Ryedale. This pressure, together with other payments that had become overdue, led to the Board of Directors contacting our business restructuring and recovery team at PKF Smith Cooper for formal advice.”
