Rolls-Royce has completed its sale of ITP Aero to a consortium of investors led by Bain Capital Private Equity, at an enterprise value of approximately €1.8 billion.
The completion of the transaction, which was announced on 27 September 2021, follows the announcement on 3 August 2022 of approval of the transaction from the Spanish government.
Sale proceeds were €1.6 billion. In addition a dividend of €0.1bn was paid shortly prior to completion. The proceeds will be used to reduce debt with the immediate repayment of Rolls-Royce’s £2 billion loan, which is supported by an 80% guarantee from UK Export Finance, helping to rebuild the Rolls-Royce balance sheet in support of its ambition to return to an investment grade credit profile in the medium term.
The sale of ITP Aero completes the disposal programme Rolls-Royce announced on 27 August 2020.
ITP Aero will remain a key strategic supplier and partner for Rolls-Royce across both Civil Aerospace and Defence programmes.
Bolsover District Council has announced that it will be taking over a number of building contracts after the contractor it used went into administration.
Woodhead Construction announced on Thursday 15 September 2022 that they were ceasing trading, putting contracts like the council’s Bolsover Homes scheme at risk.
However the council says it has stepped in and took the decision to continue to deliver both the live projects and any projects that are planned, without delay.
Bolsover District Council is currently investing £36m in building new council properties including current sites at Langwith and Shirebrook and is working in partnership with Elmton-with-Creswell Parish Council on the new Heritage and Wellbeing Centre and can confirm all projects will continue as planned.
Council leader, Steve Fritchley, said: “The key thing for me was to keep our building program going to ensure we deliver what we said we would. We have therefore employed the current site managers where appropriate and are talking to the sub-contractors to ensure they are fully engaged to make sure the projects continue.
“Once we learned the contractor was to cease trading we took swift and decisive action to ensure our assets were protected and we could continue to deliver what we had set out to do.
“I am a big believer in the council being in control of its own destiny so we are putting into place plans to ensure we have more control of our future residential and commercial projects.”
The NFU will hold a half-day conference on regenerative farming at the Midlands Machinery Show on 16 November.
The ‘mini conference’ is aimed at farmers who want to find out more about what regenerative farming is, beyond the buzz word. It will include sessions that outline regenerative farming practices; examine the impact of practices on businesses’ bottom lines; and talks from farmers already employing regenerative farming.
“I am delighted to be chairing the East Midlands NFU Conference this year,” says David Exwood, NFU vice president.
“The growth in interest from farmers about regenerative farming is clear to see and with this conference, our role will be to help members understand the principles and how it might fit into their businesses as food producers.”
Simon Fisher, NFU environment adviser, is organising the conference. “It is for farmers who see a lot of words about regenerative farming but wonder what it’s all about,” he explains. “Soil health is under the microscope at the moment, and that’s the foundation of regenerative agriculture – Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy focused on it, as does the NFU’s own Foundation of Our Food report.
“We also know that Defra is putting together a soil health action plan, and there is generally a lot of interest in regenerative farming amongst farmers themselves – this conference will therefore help them make a bit more sense of it all.
“We know a lot of soils are depleted, and if we’re going to be a more sustainable industry going forward then we’ve got to start putting some of these things right – if nothing else for the next generation of farmers.”
Precision technology to minimise inputs and no-till drills can help with more sustainable farming, adds Mr Fisher. And there will be plenty of them to see and compare at the Show itself, along with farm business consultants offering advice on the various environmental and grant schemes available.
Survey will paint picture of regenerative farming in region
The NFU is also hoping to use the conference to run a survey about what regenerative farming practices farmers are already using in the region, says Mr Fisher.
“There are five regenerative farming principles, and a lot of farmers are probably already doing at least some of these, like cover cropping and min-till which plenty of people have been doing for about five to seven years now. It will be interesting to see who is doing what, and how many are engaged in the full regenerative farming spectrum.”
Octavian Security UK has appointed Rick Todd as its new armed forces champion.
Rick joined the army in 1985, and was born into a military family. His father was in the RAF.
Rick ceased his army career in 1999 with his final posting in Germany, as a full corporal before stepping into the security world and embarking on his new career path. He joined Octavian in July 2022 as its new operations manager.
The armed forces champion is the person who supports and works with HR to bring veterans, reservists and forces families into the company and assists them with their career path.
Reshma Sheikh, chairperson at Octavian Security UK, said: “We are proud of their Silver status through the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, and our armed forces champion is the ‘go-to’ person for any staff seeking advice on a range of matters.”
Clowes Developments have appointed contractor TanRo to begin works at Beauchamp Business Park in Kibworth following planning consent being granted by Harborough District Council.
J.C. Balls & Sons have commenced earthworks which has seen plateaus, infrastructure and landscaping beginning to take shape just a short while since works began on site.
The commercial development comprises a circa 11acre allocated site located on the outskirts of Kibworth between Leicester and Market Harborough on the A6. Clowes will deliver a range of high-quality industrial units ranging in size from 1,270 sq ft to 10,085 sq ft available on a freehold or leasehold basis.
Left to right: Robin Orgill – TanRo, Dominic Jackson – Clowes Developments, Anthony Jamison – Postins Project Services Ltd, Dan Barker – TanRo, Mark Tynan – TanRo
Robin Orgill, director at TanRo, said: “It’s great to get this development under way. There’s a hive of activity around the site as we team up with J.C. Balls & Sons to begin preparing the site for construction. Storm water drainage has been installed at the main entrance and footings are being laid, an attenuation pond has been dug out and the rest of the ground is being levelled off in readiness for the next phase of development.”
Agents Phillips Sutton and TDBRE have been working closely with interested parties during the planning process which has seen Beauchamp Business Park “receive unprecedented interest from day one.”
A landmark address in Nottingham’s Professional Services Quarter has been sold in a deal brokered by property specialists NG Chartered Surveyors.
The former Actons Solicitors offices at 20 Regent Street in the city have been sold by a private pension fund to the J&R Group & Clarendon Land & Development of Nottingham.
Ross Jackson, Director of Clarendon Land and Development, said: “We are excited to enter the next chapter unfolding from our new premises on Regent Street. The location within the professional hub of Nottingham is perfect for welcoming clients and colleagues, whilst the property also allows us ample flexibility for the onward expansion of our business.”
Richard Sutton, Managing Director of NG, said: “This elegant Victorian building certainly attracted a lot of interest as it offered a rare opportunity to purchase a property on Regent Street.
“We arranged block viewings which generated a huge amount of interest and competitive bidding was strong. I have advised the pension fund owners for many years and advised that the time to sell was perfect. They are incredibly pleased with the outcome – as are we – and I’d like to thank Ross Whiting at Innes England for the important part he played with his client.”
Ross Whiting, Associate Director at Innes England acted for the new owner of the building. He said: “I am very pleased to have acquired this property on behalf of my retained clients following a competitive best bids situation. It was a pleasure to work with Richard Sutton of NG and I am glad we have been able to get this deal over the line as my clients now have an office to call their own in a prominent location.”
Russell Thompson at Massers acted for the pension fund in documenting the sale. Vik Moothia of Landsmiths acted for the purchasers.
Fairstone Wealth Management, which has offices in Leicester, has completed the acquisition of PAX Financial, marking its entry to the Irish market.
Based in Dublin, Irish financial planning firm PAX has 66 staff and advisers, offering a range of financial services for over 7,700 clients. Additionally, the acquisition secures funds under management of €200m.
PAX is also behind the well-established and hugely successful brand ‘AskPaul’, which offers jargon-free financial advice to consumers via social media channels. The service has been a unique player on the Irish landscape, combining expert insight with an innate understanding of digital trends to serve its target market.
Commenting on the deal, Lee Hartley, CEO of Fairstone, said: “We are delighted to welcome PAX into the Fairstone family. We have been looking to expand into the Irish market and in PAX, we have found the perfect partners to deliver this growth.
“The combination of Fairstone’s extensive experience in the UK sector with PAX’s management team, presence and local market knowledge, makes for a powerful partnership and opens many exciting opportunities.
“We both share the same values around ambition, growth and delivering first-class client outcomes and I believe that with Paul, Ian, Conor and the management team at PAX, we have found long-term business partners who will play a key role in the next part of our journey. Together we want to shape the future of financial advice in the Irish market.”
PAX CEO Paul Merriman, who will now take on responsibility for Fairstone in Ireland as CEO, said that the Fairstone proposition appealed as it is a proven and highly successful model in the UK which offers huge potential for the Republic of Ireland, a market which is on the cusp of expected regulatory change and consolidation.
Paul Merriman said: “The decision by Fairstone to acquire PAX is a measure of confidence in the Irish market and represents an exciting opportunity for the Irish consumer.
“Thanks to the hardworking team at PAX, we have spent over a decade developing our business and reach in order to facilitate a move such as this. The relationship with and support of Fairstone will further accelerate this growth in the months and years ahead.
“I would also like to welcome Fairstone into our home and look forward to continuing to work with the PAX team as we deliver on our collective promise to preserve, plan and protect the financial future of our clients.”
Earlier this year Fairstone celebrated three major milestones: securing it’s 50th acquisition, notching up 10 years of M&A activity and exceeding £100m of revenues.
The UK labour market is set to see an end to its 10-month streak in positive hiring intentions following a dip in productivity and growing recessionary fears according to the latest Business Trends report from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO.
BDO’s Employment Index has seen an increase each month since October 2021, increasing 0.53 points to 115.33 in August. This was driven by record payroll numbers and has been reflected by the ONS unemployment figure which sank to 3.6 percent in the three months to July, its lowest point since 1974.
The labour market now sits at a turning point, however, with recessionary fears expected to put downward pressure on employment as businesses exercise caution in the coming months. Official data has started to reflect this with hiring intentions falling for the first time since August 2020.
Whilst employment continues to show resilience, BDO’s Inflation Index soared to an all-time high of 119.05 in August, its highest reading since the first Business Trends survey was first published in 1992. This was driven by a 1.15-point rise in the Consumer Inflation Index to 117.41, following a drastic rise in energy prices.
A combination of these soaring energy costs and inflationary pressures, coupled with input shortages, have led to a decline in business output and productivity. BDO’s Output Index fell to its lowest level since the third national lockdown to 95.66. Further pressure on the index is expected to take the reading below the 95-point mark – regarded as the point of contraction – signalling a recession on the horizon as production slumps and the threat of recession looms.
Mounting economic headwinds and the drop in productivity have driven a decline in business confidence with BDO’s Optimism Index falling for its fifth consecutive month to 100.80. This fall has been caused by a drop in the Services Optimism Index which, following a slump in consumer demand, now sits just above the point of contraction at 95.76.
However, the overall economic environment in the face of a recession, is expected to remain far stronger than during previous downturns. The unemployment rate is predicted to rise to 4.1% by the end of this year before peaking at 4.6% in Q2 2023 – much lower than the 7.9% recorded in the period¹ immediately after the global financial crisis.
Kaley Crossthwaite, Partner at BDO LLP, says:“We’re already seeing the impact of a challenging environment, with many businesses forced to make cuts and – in some cases – consider whether the business will continue to be viable.
“Soaring energy costs and inflationary pressures are headwinds we can expect to become more severe in the coming months, exacerbating the economic and political uncertainty both firms and consumers feel this winter – particularly as we await the first signs of a fall in employment figures and a recession approaches.”
Small firms need details about energy arrangements in order to plan for winter says FSB National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses Martin McTague.
He said: “The statement leaves a lot of questions unanswered. It was a very high-level and sparse on detail so we will be working with the new Government to clarify what happens next. Small businesses’ instant reaction is that this is not enough information, yet, for them to plan.”
He said the unanswered questions included:
What will be the fixed unit prices (and standing charges) from October 1?
What practically will now change – will energy retailers suspend high quotes and contract offers and recalculate from October 1?
Will those who have accepted hugely increased bills in recent weeks be able to renegotiate to bring their bills down to reasonable levels?
As a small business normally gets quoted for at least 12 months, does that new quote include 6 months at a low rate and 6 months at a high uncapped rate? How does the energy retailer know who to quote extra support to, for the secondsix-month period?
He added: “This must not result in a cliff-edge after six months, with the withdrawal of support to all but ‘vulnerable’ targeted industries, sectors or types of business. The definition of who falls in and out of that support will need to be looked at carefully at the three-month review.
“Our work on vulnerability of small businesses to energy costs has revealed huge bills causing damage in virtually any sector that uses energy in any meaningful way, just like most households. Any future definition of ‘vulnerable industries’ will need to be broad, realistic and fair.
“The Government should also make good on its commitment for comprehensive help for all small businesses affected. If any have energy circumstances such that, in practice, they turn out not be covered by the measures announced today, the Government must keep an open mind and ensure policy decisions do not create another group of disenfranchised or excluded small businesses without support, just like it did on income support during COVID.”
The rise in Consumer Prices Index inflation by 9.9% confirms the sustained pressure businesses and consumers have been facing over the past year, according to Alex Veitch, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce.
He said: “This is also reflected in the squeeze on businesses’ operating costs as Producer Price Inflation figures remain at record highs of 20.5% in the year to August 2022.
“While the rate of growth has eased slightly, this has been driven by a fall in motor fuel costs – other goods continue to rise.
“There is a limit to how long any firm can sustain these rising costs before something has to give. We know from our research that two thirds of businesses plan to increase their own prices.
“The size of last week’s Government intervention on energy prices should have a dampening effect on inflation when it is enacted.
“But the lack of detail on exactly how much help any individual business will get, and for how long, means very few will be planning to invest any time soon.
“There are also a whole host of other issues ranging from transport and shipping costs, raw material prices, energy sector regulation and the tight labour market that must be addressed.
“It is imperative the Government’s forthcoming ‘fiscal intervention’ provides business with confidence that there is a cohesive plan to take the economy forward.”
UK company insolvencies have increased by 72% in the year to the end of August, from 11,949 to 20,512 says international audit, tax and advisory firm Mazars.
The hospitality sector has been hit especially hard, with 216 insolvencies of pubs, bars and restaurants in just the last month – up 37% from 158 in July. Over the past year, insolvencies of pubs, bars and restaurants have increased 59%, from 1,354 to 2,156. Spikes in energy bills seen in the sector are forcing many to consider closure.
Adam Harris, Partner at Mazars says: “Many UK businesses were already in a weak position before energy prices surged. The size of energy price rises was always likely to cause some businesses to close but the scale and pace of these insolvencies is especially concerning.
“Small business owners in particular are struggling under the weight of multiple crises, often without the resources or financial cushion to see them through.
“The hospitality sector is facing an unusually challenging environment as the cost-of-living crisis hits them from both sides. Just as their energy costs are spiral and their interest costs rise their customers are cutting spending on non-essentials such as eating out.
“The Government’s upcoming energy package will be key to determining whether many businesses survive. Unless the picture dramatically changes, we are likely to see many more businesses close their doors in the months to come.”
AS the whole country stopped to show its respect for the queens passing, a gathering for reflection took place in Nottingham’s Old Market Square, on the 18th September, to allow people to celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
The ‘Remembering Her Majesty’ event, which incorporated the national Moment of Reflection at 8pm, was attended by around 1,000 people and was an opportunity to look back over The Queen’s 70-year reign.
Organised by Nottingham City Council, the multi-faith event included contributions from the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Rev Paul Williams; local Muslim leader Dr Musharraf Hussain; the Catholic Bishop of Nottingham, the Rt Rev Patrick McKinney; and Senior Pastor at God’s Vineyard, Dr Ezekiel Alawale.
Other contributors included councillors, members of the local community and the City Council’s Chief Executive, Mel Barrett.
The evening started with music from the Hucknall and Linby Mining Community Brass Band and concluded with a minute’s silence observed for the national Moment of Reflection at 8pm.
The Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Wendy Smith, said: “We were lucky enough to welcome The Queen to our city on a number of occasions and it was therefore special this evening to be able to reflect on her decades of service to the country.
“Her 70-year reign was both unprecedented and unlikely to be seen again. We wanted to offer a way for people from Nottingham to come together and remember an incredible life, while also mourning her loss.”
Leader of the City Council, Councillor David Mellen, said: “It was entirely appropriate to give Nottingham residents the opportunity to remember Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ahead of her funeral tomorrow.
“It’s been clear from the thousands who have signed our Books of Condolence over the past week that she is held in the highest regard. This evening was the city’s way of paying tribute to her dedication and service to the country over seven decades.”
Queen Elizabeth visited Nottingham at least ten times, including the Coronation year (1953) and three Jubilees (Silver in 1977, Gold in 2002 and Diamond in 2012).
She opened The Queen’s Medical Centre and the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee campus, visited famous Nottingham industries of bicycle and lace manufacturing, met local cricket and skating legends, Derek Randal and Torvill and Dean, and inspected Nottinghamshire-based military regiments.
In line with the rest of the country, Books of Condolence in Nottingham – at the Council House, Loxley House, and Dales, Clifton and Bulwell Riverside libraries – will remain open to sign until 5pm on Tuesday (20 September).
Property and construction professionals from across the region gathered last night (Thursday 15 September) at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground for Business Link Magazine’s annual East Midlands Bricks Awards.
Recognising and celebrating those behind the changing landscape of our region, rewarding the very best companies, teams and individuals, the event offered the perfect opportunity to showcase the outstanding work carried out across the East Midlands over the past year and network with many of the region’s industry leaders over canapés and complementary drinks sponsored by Brooklands Service Group.
Highlights of the night saw John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, kick off the event with the keynote speech, Galliford Try Construction take home a hat-trick of awards for Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park, while Cawarden stole two awards.
The finalists and winners in each category are revealed below:Victoria Golborn, Mather Jamie, Amy Bidell, Mather Jamie, Sue Alland, Mather Jamie, and Rob Day, Blueprint Interiors
Most Active Agent – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors
Winner
Mather Jamie
Runners up
OMEETO
BB&J Commercial
Alistair Branch, Stephen George + Partners, Phillip Johnson, Galliford Try Construction, Ben Bowley, Leonard Design, and Ben Sansom, Frank Key
Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by Frank Key
Winner
Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction
Runners up
Etiquette Park – Clowes Developments
Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service joint HQ – Henry Brothers
Emma Attwood, Cawarden, and William Crooks, Cawarden
Responsible Business of the Year – sponsored by Press for Attention PR
Winner
Cawarden
Runners up
Arc Partnership
Phoenix Brickwork
Sarah Woolf, Sterling Commercial Finance, and Angie Cooper, on behalf of Glenvale Park
Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance
Winner
Glenvale Park – Glenvale Park LLP
Runners up
The Rise, Southwell – Stagfield Group
Hindle House – KMRE Group
James Phillips, APB, Trevor Wells, Wells McFarlane, Richard Foxon, Newton LDP, Sam Jones, Newton LDP, and Richard Picton, Blythin & Brown Insurance Brokers
Deal of the Year – sponsored by Blythin & Brown Insurance Brokers
Winner
Wells McFarlane, APB and Newton LDP – sale of 460 acres of land in North Leicestershire, making way for a new garden village
Runners up
St James Securities – Phase Two of the Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby – 3,500 capacity Becketwell performance venue with ASM Global
Morgan Industrial Properties Limited – acquisition of the former Ewart Chain site in Shaftesbury Street, Derby
Josh Spencer, HBD, Mark Evans, HBD, and Donald Ward, Ward
Developer of the Year – sponsored by Ward
Winner
HBD
Runners up
Hockley Developments
St James Securities
Steve Rayner, Rayner Davies Architects, and Laura Burton, OMS
Architects of the Year – sponsored by OMS
Winner
Rayner Davies Architects
Runners up
Swain Architecture
CPMG Architects
Nick Gregory, CPMG, and William Crooks, Cawarden
Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden
Winner
St. Peter’s Gate renovation – CPMG Architects
Runners up
Health and Allied Professions Centre at Nottingham Trent University – Pick Everard
Brookside Farm – Chevin Homes
Alistair Branch, Stephen George + Partners, Ben Bowley, Leonard Design, Philip Johnson, Galliford Try Construction, and Lee Marshall, Viridis Building Services
Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services
Winner
Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction
Runners up
Refurbished HQ for LKAB Minerals – Scenariio
Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre – Chesterfield Borough Council, Whittam Cox Architects, Robert Woodhead Group
Nick Sanderson, RammSanderson, Emma Attwood, Cawarden, and William Crooks, Cawarden
Contractor of the Year – sponsored by RammSanderson
Winner
Cawarden
Runners up
Galliford Try Construction
Enrok Construction
Alistair Branch, Stephen George + Partners, Philip Johnson, Galliford Try Construction, Ben Bowley, Leonard Design, and James Pinchbeck, Streets Chartered Accountants.
Overall Winner –sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants
Galliford Try Construction
See the event in the images and video below. Thanks to Richard Picksley for photographing the event.
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Guests network at the East Midlands Bricks Awards
Guests network at the East Midlands Bricks Awards
Lee Marshall, of Viridis Building Services, hands over the 2022 Sustainable Development of the Year award to Alistair Branch of Stephen George + Partners, Ben Bowley of Leonard Design, and Philip Johnson of Galliford Try Construction for Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park
Victoria Golborn, Mather Jamie, Amy Bidell, Mather Jamie, Sue Alland, Mather Jamie, and Rob Day, Blueprint Interiors
Thanks to all our sponsors for supporting the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022. Business Link Magazine looks forward to returning next year for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023!
Derby PR & communications agency Nielsen McAllister has appointed a new specialist, Alona Vvedenska, who has arrived in the UK after fleeing her home in war-torn Ukraine.
Alona Vvedenska joins the agency as account & content support executive following a traumatic start to the year. With her 13-year-old son, Alona fled Kyiv on an evacuation train in March, arriving in the UK as part of the Homes for Ukrainians scheme.
As a journalist, author of articles, and editor of national Ukrainian periodicals, Alona wanted to get back to work and use her expertise.
Alona’s sponsor, Derby businessman Nino Simone, contacted Nielsen McAllister, which was looking for a content specialist to support its rapid growth.
“We were already recruiting and struggling to find someone with the right set of skills to support new and existing clients. After meeting Alona, it was obvious she would be an asset to the team – and, of course, it feels amazing to be able to help someone in Alona’s circumstances,” said Simon Wildash, director of Nielsen McAllister.
Alona has more than 16 years of background working in PR, supporting international clients such as Rockwool and Siemens with market launches and press engagement. As journalist and editor, she has conducted interviews with celebrities and politicians, and has been responsible for developing magazines from front cover to back.
Alona is now actively using her literary skills and PR experience to further strengthen Nielsen McAllister’s content creation offering for existing and new clients. At the same time, the Green Lane office has provided Alona with a welcoming and friendly environment, with the team bonding over everything from movies to food. Alona has already treated her new colleagues to borscht with papmushki.
Speaking of her difficult year, Alona said: “The experience of war is something that is incredibly difficult to put into words. Everything that seems impossible or unbearable to us in peacetime becomes part of everyday life. It’s a state where you can’t feel normal, but the pain is just hellish.
“I am therefore heartily grateful to the UK and my new colleagues for the opportunity to live and work here. I am very happy to be a part of the Nielsen McAllister team and it’s helping me to achieve a degree of stability during such turbulent times.”
Leicestershire-based health and safety engineering risk management experts, Finch Consulting, have appointed occupational hygienist Morag McWilliam.
With over 30 years’ of practical experience in the field of occupational hygiene health and safety, Morag will be joining Finch as a senior consultant from her most recent role as a HM specialist inspector for the Health and Safety Executive.
In her new role, Morag will be helping Finch’s clients with occupational hygiene support in both a consultancy and expert witness capacity.
Commenting on her appointment at Finch, Morag said: “I chose to join Finch because of their work ethic and positive employee culture which encourages consultants to take an adaptable and pragmatic approach to problem solving for clients in a wide range of industries.
“This in turn will allow me to apply practically my industrial and regulatory experience as an occupational hygienist to help guide clients in the long term protection of their workers’ health and well-being.”
Adding, Dom Barraclough, Managing Director at Finch, said: “We have a very strong pipeline of occupational hygiene work and Morag will complement the offering to our clients incredibly well. She’s already proven she is a great fit for the Finch culture, which is extremely important to us, and with her extensive experience she will hit the ground running.”
In two months time, the East Midlands Expowill return! Register NOW to secure your spot at the free to attend event!
Already seeing more bookings than last year, the established event of over 20 years will take place on Monday 14 November 2022, offering an ideal day for networking and business generation.
Event organiser Tina King said: “It is great to see so many exhibitors and delegates engaging with networking and exhibiting again following Covid restrictions.”
The expo, for which Business Link is a proud partner, is well targeted and aimed at the construction, property, business, investment, finance, professional services and related B2B markets.
Taking place at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, the exhibition will open to attendees at 9am, with a seminar taking place between 10:45am and noon. A special networking lunch (for which tickets can be purchased here) will then take place between 12:15pm and 2:15pm, and the exhibition will close at 3:30pm.
From property agents to developers, architects, contractors, investors, PR firms, and more, see the list of current exhibitors here.
For more information on exhibiting at the event click here.
To register to attend the event for free click here.
To secure tickets for the networking lunch click here.
Burton-based commercial property agents, Rushton Hickman Ltd, has let a 5,500 sq ft retail unit located at 6/8 Station St, Burton upon Trent, as a new sports bar and leisure venue.
The premises had historically operated as a bar, with several changes of name and ownership over time.
The `Break Room Sports Bar’ is planned to open on Sunday 18 September and was conceptualised by two local businessmen, Ryan Gibbs, and Paul Fox, both of whom are experienced cue sport players.
Ryan said: “We will be offering high quality pool and snooker facilities, along with interactive smart darts, which cannot be found anywhere within the local area. These facilities will be accompanied by a fully stocked bar and freshly made cocktails, with live sports shown around the club.
“The town is currently lacking in entertainment venues, forcing its residents to travel further afield for leisure facilities. Our aim is to offer high quality entertainment facilities within the town centre, to attract people to stay in their local area.
“We will ultimately promote cue sports to compliment the abundance of talent we have within the county and the high-quality local leagues. This will be backed up by a new concept of `Smart Darts’ which has taken the bigger cities by storm by offering people a new leisure activity and a great time.”
Paul said: “The Break Room will provide the people of Burton on Trent with a much-needed entertainment venue, where they are encouraged to bring friends and family along for a competitive but friendly night out. Burton on Trent has a great history of pubs and bars in the town centre, and we feel the very large pool and snooker community within the area will certainly welcome our new club.
“For a long time, the town has held large and very popular cue sports leagues, with participation ever increasing and we are well placed to offer teams within those leagues a club with the best facilities around. Ryan and I know the cue sports scene extensively, having played at a very high level for many years.
“With the support of the local town, The Break Room can be the go-to place when planning a night out, for an experience that keeps customers coming back again and again. We hope to have something for everyone, this isn’t just a pool and snooker club. The Break Room Sports Bar will be a venue where people can enjoy a freshly made cocktail with friends or put their competitive streak to the test on one of our activities.
“The former Camino Bar premises was an obvious choice of property for us to choose, as it is mainly open plan which allows us to maximize the space to accommodate 2 full size snooker tables and 8 English pool tables plus dedicated darts playing area. The location of Burton town centre is absolutely ideal for us.
“Simon and the whole team at Rushton Hickman provided exceptional service throughout the process and always responded swiftly to respond to any queries. We can’t thank them enough for helping to make our dream happen!”
Rushton Hickman commercial property agent, Simon Walker, said: “This latest town centre letting is yet more fantastic news for the communities of Burton upon Trent and the surrounding areas. To find a suitable tenant, with an ideal use for a large empty town centre retail unit of 5,500 sq ft, is by no means an easy task. We are `over the moon’ to have agreed this letting and of course both tenant and landlord are absolutely delighted that we got a deal agreed for them.”
A developer with ambitions of reversing the fortunes of Nottingham’s high street has bought a prominent city centre building.
ALB Group is pressing on with its rejuvenation of local shopping streets, after buying 11-15 Low Pavement, and is hoping to attract a high-end restaurant to occupy a ground floor space.
The Grade II-listed Low Pavement building, which boasts both Georgian and Victorian architecture, housed the former TSB bank until it closed in 2020, and fragrance shop, Jo Malone currently occupies number 15.
The firm has also acquired the adjacent 12 Pepper Street – home to the Pepper Rocks cocktail bar and creperie.
Pepper Rocks and Jo Malone now have a new landlord, in ALB Group, but the Nottingham-based developer says negotiations are ongoing with a view to extending their leases at the site, which is situated over three floors and features a courtyard as well as a roof terrace.
The overall plan is to give ALB Group – which bought a number of properties in Bridlesmith Gate and Lister Gate last year with a masterplan to revitalise the area and make it as thriving as London’s Carnaby Street – greater scope for the revamp.
Arran Bailey, ALB’s Managing Director, said: “As we own the adjoining buildings it gives us greater control when it comes to regeneration of the area.
“We bought nearby buildings in the latter part of last year, and within less than six months, we had renovated and found exciting new tenants for those buildings, while reassuring existing tenants that we were out to turn the area around.
“We are delighted with the completion of the purchase, and excited for the future.”
The acquisition was made possible thanks to London-based McMullen Real Estate.
A spokesman for McMullen said: “McMullen Real Estate acted on behalf of Oakgate Group in the successful sale of the property.”
Oakgate Group put the building on the market last year, and had described how it was located “in the heart of Nottingham’s prime district, surrounded by high-end fashion retailers and restaurants.”
ALB Group is continuing to pull up the area by the bootstraps. But less than six months after snapping up 11 vacant premises, along with three on Lister Gate, ALB Group had all but one of its units filled, with vibrant and on-trend independent traders filling the void.
Among the businesses which have moved into the prime retail space so far are ladieswear boutique Stick and Ribbon, estate agent Pygott & Crone, craft coffee and deli shop Barista LAB, 18 Montrose and Sneakerverse.
OakNorth Bank has provided a bespoke debt finance facility to FDBC Holdings, part of Neil Shacklocks, one of the UK’s largest plumbing, heating and electrical contractors.
The transaction will help support the business’s future growth plans following the completion of a management buy-out in June 2020, which saw the full transfer of shares to the firm’s new owners.
Headquartered in the Nottinghamshire market town of Sutton-in-Ashfield and incorporated in 1968, Neil Shacklocks undertakes installation projects throughout the East Midlands and South Yorkshire regions.Its client list includes some of the largest, blue-chip housebuilders, including Taylor Wimpey, McCarthy & Stone, and Barratt Homes, with previous notable projects also including Barcelona’s Olympic Village complex, Centre Parcs’ Thetford site, the Don Valley Stadium and Folkestone’s Channel Tunnel complex.Chris Hodgson, Managing Director of Neil Shacklocks, said: “Since Neil Shacklocks launched over five decades ago, it has managed to build an extensive and highly impressive client book, serviced by a dedicated and forward-thinking professional team.
“The business is continually looking to improve its performance and with sales in the plumbing and heating supply chain increasing dramatically following the pandemic, we’re confident Neil Shacklocks is set to thrive moving forward.
“We are grateful for the support we received from the team at OakNorth Bank, who were transparent and entrepreneurial in their approach. The funding will allow our new management team to pursue our corporate strategy, which will focus heavily on strengthening efficiency.”
Dale Cowdell, associate director of debt finance at OakNorth Bank, added: “I’ve known Neil Shacklocks for nearly a decade and in this time, the business has truly cemented itself as a leader in the plumbing, heating and electrical services industry. It has the reputation of being one of the best and largest contractors operating throughout the East Midlands and South Yorkshire since its launch over 50 years ago.
“With the sector set for significant growth over the next five years, Neil Shacklocks is in a prime position to capitalise on this opportunity. We are delighted to have been selected as the firm’s funding partner to support its growth journey and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with them in the future.”
OakNorth Bank was advised on the transaction by Harrison Clark Rickerbys.
A university engineer will take a year away from teaching to work on state-of-the-art drone technology.
Dr Bing Ji has been working alongside aerial logistics firm Skyfarer and Dynex Semiconductor Ltd to develop intelligent gate drivers for silicon carbide and gallium nitride devices.
Dr Ji, who works in the University’s School of Engineering says that the development of these components could be revolutionary for electric transportation and could help the UK achieve its net-emissions goals in the future.
These devices promise significant increases in efficiency, power density, temperature, and switching frequency for electric power trains.
Dr Ji said: “By working with Skyfarer and Dynex, the University of Leicester is seizing an historic moment in the reinvention of electric transportation.
“This research is helping to improve the field robustness and reliability of eTransportation by developing the latest intelligent drivers for silicon carbide and gallium nitride devices.
“The latest intelligent gate drivers will help system designers to reliably maximise the transistor potentials while providing in-situ status awareness, adaptive protection and device-level control.
“The associated power converters have been utilized in electric vehicles and drones to improve the energy efficiency and reliability of the systems.
“As the UK is becoming a greener and more innovation-led economy, the consequent industry and economic impacts are becoming clear, thanks to the collaboration of academia and industry on the research and development of power electronics and research.”
Because of his work, Dr Ji is one of seven engineering researchers to receive The Royal Academy of Engineering’s prestigious Leverhulme Trust Research Fellowship.
The fellowship will cover the costs of a replacement academic to take over teaching and administrative duties.
Talking about the fellowship, Dr Ji said: “This award will enable our industry partners to get access to this new technology early on in its development and to assess how this can be adopted for commercial exploitation. It will also significantly benefit my research and career developments.”
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