Sterling Commercial Finance sponsors the East Midlands Bricks Awards for a fourth year

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Sterling Commercial Finance sponsors the East Midlands Bricks Awards for a fourth year
Sterling Commercial Finance has joined the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, backing the Residential Development of the Year category for another year. Nic Rotton of Sterling Commercial Finance said: “Sterling Commercial Finance is delighted to sponsor the ‘Residential Development of the Year’ Award for the fourth year at the Bricks Awards run by East Midlands Business Link. “This award is testimony to the fabulous house builders creating innovative and unique new homes across our region off the back of challenging conditions post-COVID. “Sterling Commercial Finance will continue our support by delivering property finance and development funding expertise to help get projects off the ground and new homes being built as the demand for property continues to rise across the East Midlands and beyond. Wishing all the finalists every success.” The awards, which will take place on Thursday 15 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrate the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards. To submit a business or development, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include: The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

To be held at:

Funding secured for new renewable energy battery storage facility in Chesterfield

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Funding secured for new renewable energy battery storage facility in Chesterfield
Chesterfield has been named as one of the areas to benefit from investment in a battery storage facility, adding to the town’s green growth. Santander UK has provided a £27m funding package to 4 Renewable Energy, the independent power producer (IPP) arm of RGREEN INVEST, an independent French investment management company specialised in equity investments and financing for energy transition and climate change adaptation infrastructure projects. The funding supports construction and operations of four new-build battery storage facilities in England that 4 Renewable Energy acquired last year. The new local facility will be based on Back Lane in Chesterfield, with facilities also being built in Rochdale, Plymoth and Bexhill on Sea. Battery storage is key to ensuring the UK’s homes and businesses can be powered by renewable energy. It plays an important role in boosting the nation’s capability to capture, store and release renewable energy, providing a more reliable and regular supply. Owned 100% by RGREEN INVEST’s INFRAGREEN IV fund, 4 Renewable Energy has plans to expand its UK portfolio beyond its first four battery storage facilities. It is actively pursuing additional battery storage projects under development or ready-to-build in the UK and is establishing a local team. RGREEN INVEST’s managed entities have invested in more than 1,500 renewable energy projects to date and in large battery storage facilities in France – on the mainland and overseas. 4 Renewable Energy has wind, solar and battery storage projects under development and construction in Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal, Romania and Poland. Its portfolio of renewable energy projects totals more than 1.5 GW. Since the start of 2019, Santander UK has committed more than £250m to the battery storage sector. This funding is part of Santander’s global target to lend €120bn in green finance to businesses throughout the world by 2025. The funding package provided to 4 Renewable Energy was partly financed by Santander UK’s Environmental and Social Growth Fund, which is designed to support lending that benefits the environment or society and contributes toward the UK’s sustainability agenda. Sébastien Rondel, head of direct investment for RGREEN INVEST and director of 4 Renewable Energy, said: “This is our first venture into the UK market, and we are excited to be an active player. Our banking partner, Santander UK, has greatly supported this venture and is helping us pursue our strategic development abroad. Our choice of the UK is significant as the nation has made an ambitious decision to accelerate its transition to renewable energy sources, and battery systems are poised to become a key component of this strategy’s success.” Mark Cumbo, director, specialised and project finance at Santander UK, said: “We are delighted to support RGREEN INVEST’s entry into the UK renewables market with funding for the construction of its four battery storage facilities. Santander UK strongly supports clients such as RGREEN INVEST that are bringing positive environmental change to the UK’s energy sector, and we are delighted to provide funding for these new battery storage facilities throughout England.”

UK workmates from Derbyshire-based company to have their first meeting up a mountain in charity fundraiser

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UK workmates from Derbyshire-based company to have their first meeting up a mountain in charity fundraiser

Work colleagues from a chemicals company with a Derbyshire headquarters are to meet for the first time by climbing one of the UK’s tallest mountains together.

Employees of Lubrizol, which has a UK headquarters in Hazelwood, near Belper, are taking on a series of walking challenges over the next few months with the aim of reaching their £25,000 fundraising target for mental health charity Mind. 

The first is a climb of Wales’ highest peak, Mount Snowdon, which will see colleagues from Lubrizol’s offices around the UK meet up – some for the very first time.

Chris Hart-Jones, Lubrizol’s production manager at its Barnsley site, who will be taking part in the 1,085-metre ascent of Snowdon, said it would present an opportunity for people who had joined the company since COVID to see each other in person rather than just converse over a screen. 

He said: “We’ve all spent the past two years meeting new team members over the screen. We have not had the opportunity to meet them face to face.

“These walking challenges, starting with the ascent of Mount Snowdon, are a great chance for us to get together, meet people we have only met virtually in the past, and raise some money for charity in the process.”

Lubrizol has offices across the UK in Manchester, Barnsley, Consett, Huddersfield, and Mostyn in Wales, as well as Derbyshire. Colleagues will be walking up Mount Snowdon on May 21, the first of four walking challenges that teams from the company will be undertaking over the summer and autumn. In July, Lubrizol staff will take on England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike, before they face the famous Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge within a gruelling 12-hour timeframe the following month. To finish off, there will be a gentler company walk up Mam Tor in Castleton in September.

The four walks are all part of Lubrizol’s ‘Olympic challenge’ in aid of Mind, which began in April 2021. The idea behind the challenge was for staff to collectively cover the distance between the UK and Beijing, 5,800 miles, by a range of means including walking, cycling and running. 

So far, the company’s staff have raised more than £22,000 for Mind with a variety of activities, one of the most recent of which has been a 24-hour gym challenge undertaken by four students based in its Manchester office.  

Chris said during lockdown many of the company’s fundraising activities had been undertaken solo by employees, due to social distancing rules, so the four walks over the next few months were a chance for people to exercise as a group. 

Claire Hollingshurst, from Lubrizol’s Derbyshire office, said: “At Lubrizol we believe strongly in supporting mental health as much as we can. COVID has taken a toll on many people’s emotional wellbeing and that’s why we have chosen as a company to raise £25,000 for Mind.

“We’re very proud of the money we have raised and we hope to reach our target through these four walking challenges over the next few months. Fresh air and exercise can be a great way of boosting mental health so it’s fitting that as a company we will be taking on some of the UK’s highest mountains together in aid of this very worthy cause.

“It’s lovely too that some of our newest colleagues will be able to meet up for the first time by climbing mountains together.”

Potential £1.05bn acquisition of Ideagen revealed

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Potential £1.05bn acquisition of Ideagen revealed
A cash acquisition of software firm Ideagen is set to be recommended by directors to shareholders. The deal would value the Nottinghamshire-based firm at £1.05bn. Rainforest Bidco Limited (Bidco), a company indirectly controlled by funds managed by Hg Pooled Management Limited (Hg), is behind the acquisition. The boards of Bidco and Ideagen have reached agreement on the terms of the cash acquisition in which Bidco would acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of Ideagen. The acquisition is conditional on, amongst other things, the approval of Ideagen shareholders. Bidco is a newly formed company owned and controlled by funds managed by Hg, a software and services investor. Richard Longdon, non-executive chairman of Ideagen, said: “We believe that the offer from Bidco represents value for shareholders and the Ideagen directors unanimously intend to recommend the offer to shareholders. “The all-cash offer represents a compelling and attractive opportunity for shareholders to realise and crystallise their investment in Ideagen in the near term and also provides a significant premium to the prevailing share price notwithstanding the backdrop of the wider risks posed by the political and macro-economic environment. “The offer reflects the quality, strength and long-term performance of Ideagen’s businesses and its future growth potential. We believe that Hg’s track-record and expertise in supporting and growing software businesses would provide a complementary partner for Ideagen’s stakeholders.” Christopher Fielding, Joris Van Gool and Jean-Baptiste Brian, partners at Hg, said: “At Hg, we have spent over 20 years focused on the business-to-business software space. We have long admired how Ben and his highly motivated team have grown Ideagen into a leader in its sector. “Our experience in the sector gives us strong conviction that Ideagen represents a high-quality platform, and we are committed to providing additional capital and resources that are required to further support and enhance Ideagen’s next phase of growth. “Hg has a strong track record of investing in and growing UK-based software businesses. We recognise that Ideagen is a global organisation with stakeholders around the world, but with deep community ties and a strong local heritage. We strongly believe that the core of the business should be maintained in its Nottingham base, including its executive team and technological development centre.”

Further downgrades to UK growth with squeeze on business investment and consumer spending raising risk of recession, says EY ITEM Club forecast

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Further downgrades to UK growth with squeeze on business investment and consumer spending raising risk of recession, says EY ITEM Club forecast

Inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, skills challenges and increasing supply chain issues are continuing to squeeze the outlook for business investment, according to the new EY ITEM Club Spring Forecast.

UK business investment is now forecast to grow 10% this year, having been expected to grow 12.7% in February’s Winter Forecast and 11.3% in March’s Interim Forecast. This represents an estimated £5.5bn shortfall from February’s forecast. With a sluggish recovery last year presenting a disappointing starting point for 2022, investment is now not expected to reach pre-pandemic levels until the end of this year.

The EY ITEM Club has also downgraded the outlook for UK growth overall, with UK GDP now expected to grow 4.1% in 2022 – down from the 4.2% predicted in March – before growing 1.9% in 2023 and 2.2% in 2024. Growth will be dependent on under-pressure households continuing to spend by saving less and borrowing more – and the EY ITEM Club says that the possibility they may not raises the risk of recession.

Hywel Ball, EY UK chair, says: “Uncertainty about the pandemic has been replaced by geopolitical uncertainty, which has also had consequences for the cost of capital goods and supply chain frictions. The temporary super-deduction tax incentive should support an investment pick-up this year, but its impact is being countered by strong headwinds.

“Some businesses also appear to be grappling with labour shortages and aren’t always able to access the talent needed to identify or deliver investment opportunities. At the same time, many large businesses are actually well-placed to invest, having paid down bank debt during the pandemic and built cash holdings which could can be used to fund new projects.”

The EY ITEM Club estimates that, as of February 2022, UK corporates had accumulated approximately £150bn in extra cash holdings – 5.5.% of GDP – compared to what they would have had access to had pre-pandemic deposit trends continued.

Hywel Ball adds: “Investment prospects could rely, in part, on the labour market outlook – and whether the pandemic-linked rise in non-participation can be reversed. Focusing on skills and talent will be key for businesses, society and the wider economy. Until business investment is unlocked, the UK economy will be even more dependent on consumers, who are facing their own challenges.”

The UK unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in the three months to February 2022, but the number of ‘inactive’ working-aged people is 490,000 higher than two years ago, mainly because of rising numbers of people on long-term sick leave or taking early retirement. Employment is down by over half a million people compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Consumer squeeze continues – and the risk of recession rises

While the EY ITEM Club’s central forecast does not see the UK economy entering a recession, it warns that there is a “serious risk” of this happening later in 2022 if consumer spending does not meet expectations, or if October’s energy price cap review results in a higher-than-expected rise in bills.

Consumer spending is now forecast to rise 4.9% in 2022, down from the 5.1% and 5.6% expected in March and February. Growth of 1.5% is predicted in 2023, down from the March and February forecasts of 1.7% and 2.9%.

Inflation, meanwhile, is still expected to have peaked at 8.5% in April, while average inflation for 2022 is now forecast to be 6.7% (up from 6.5%), the highest level since 1991. With average earnings forecast to rise by just over 4% this year, British workers are set to see the biggest fall in real wages since 1977.

However, consumer spending – and the economy – is expected to benefit from households continuing to release the almost-£180bn worth of ‘excess’ savings (8% of GDP) built up during the pandemic. The EY ITEM Club notes that the household savings ratio fell more rapidly in Q4 2021 than expected, falling to 6.8% from 7.5% in Q3 and a lockdown-induced 18.3% in Q1, but is still above the immediate pre-pandemic average of 4.9% (2017-19).

Martin Beck, chief economic advisor to the EY ITEM Club, says: “The UK economy is not without supports. Momentum at the start of the year should help offset new headwinds to deliver calendar-year growth for 2022. The balance sheets of many households and businesses are unexpectedly strong, having built up a combined £300bn of ‘excess’ savings over the course of the last two years.

“But accumulated savings are not a panacea for the economy. There is a significant risk that consumers, faced with a sustained squeeze on their finances, may cut spending in response. And while the rising cost of living will affect almost all households, some are more vulnerable than others. The distribution of savings built up in the pandemic is heavily skewed towards richer households, while lower income groups will be disproportionately affected by higher energy bills and benefits increases being outpaced by inflation this year.

“The forecast for households improves significantly in 2023 and 2024, but we’re not there yet. Economic growth this year will depend heavily on squeezed households being willing to spend, which, in turn, will rely on falls in real incomes being offset by households saving less or taking on more debt. There is scope for households to do this but there are no guarantees consumers will come to the rescue.”

The EY ITEM Club expects pressure on households to ease from next year. Energy prices are predicted to fall across 2023 and 2024, pushing down on inflation, which is forecast to average under 2% in 2024. The benefits uprating in April 2023 is likely to be over 7%, well ahead of prices rises. And while high inflation will mean the four-year freeze on tax allowances and thresholds will affect more taxpayers than intended, this will be mitigated by a 1p cut in the basic rate of income tax from April 2024.

Hat-trick of senior promotions for Shoosmiths’ Nottingham office

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Hat-trick of senior promotions for Shoosmiths’ Nottingham office
Shoosmiths has promoted three members of its Nottingham office. The promotions round sees Su Kemp become a partner, Charlotte Thomas step up to legal director and Will Thomas take on the role of principal associate. Su enters Shoosmiths’ partnership after joining the law firm in 2015 as a non-contentious real estate solicitor with a recognised specialism in retail and a broad experience of dealing with complex matters for property occupiers. Su’s focus as partner will be on accelerating Shoosmiths’ growth in Nottingham – adding to both its UK-wide real estate client base and the office’s team, which now totals 77 staff. Charlotte’s promotion will see her become a legal director in the firm’s banking and finance team, with experience in multimillion pound acquisition and leveraged finance transactions. Will’s move to principal associate comes after successfully handling a number of major planning appeals and High Court challenges as part of Shoosmiths’ planning practice. The trio of promotions follows Shoosmiths recently announcing a new head of office in Nottingham, with partner Michael Briggs taking the reins from Deborah Gordon-Brown. Michael Briggs, partner and head of Shoosmiths’ Nottingham office, said: “Shoosmiths is building something special in Nottingham. The full-service office is home to over 70 staff and boasts a client base that features some of the biggest companies and brands in the UK across multiple industries. “This latest round of promotions shows the talent we have in Nottingham, while also demonstrating that Shoosmiths is a firm where you can get ahead and build a career. “We’d like to congratulate Su, Charlotte and Will on their new positions and look forward to working with them and the wider team to deliver the office’s growth plans.” The promotions at its Nottingham office forms part of a firm-wide promotions round for Shoosmiths, which sees the firm appoint seven new partners, nine new legal directors and a cohort of principal associates and associates.

Sustainable health and beauty firm agrees long-term lease for brand new Ilkeston warehouse

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Sustainable health and beauty firm agrees long-term lease for brand new Ilkeston warehouse
Sustainable health and beauty pioneer Weleda has agreed a long-term lease with fellow Derbyshire-based company, Clowes Developments, for a state-of-the-art facility. Unit B at Etiquette Park comprises of a warehouse and office facility totalling 23,500 sq ft. Works began on site back in January 2022 with construction contractor TanRo tasked with delivering two facilities totalling 50,000 sq ft at the newly established business park located near Manners Avenue Industrial Estate in Ilkeston, the heart of Ilkeston’s existing industrial, warehouse and distribution hub. Both occupiers, Weleda and Catering24, are locally established businesses who were keen to remain close to their roots, retain their workforce and continue to grow their successful enterprises within the area. Jayn Sterland, Managing Director, Weleda UK, said: “We are excited to be expanding our existing operations at Heanor Road with a brand-new warehouse and office space at Etiquette Park, which will be tailored to meet our very individual needs. “As a manufacturer of natural and organic cosmetics and holistic wellbeing products, it is essential that our stock is stored in very specific conditions which meet GMP standards. The new build will allow us to grow our business whilst remaining in the area where our manufacturing site and Demeter-certified organic medicinal herb gardens are also based. “The new facility means our Customer Care team can also relocate to Etiquette Park, which will in turn free up space for us at Heanor Road to enable us to expand the rest of our operations as we grow.” Weleda was first founded in Switzerland in 1921. The British Weleda Co. Ltd was initially established in London in 1925 and has since enjoyed over four decades at its Derbyshire premises at Ilkeston and its herb growing site just up the road at Shipley. Today Weleda UK is part of an international group employing over 2,500 people and operating in over 50 countries across 5 continents. At the end of 2021, Clowes Developments announced that Catering24 had agreed a lease for the brand-new purpose-built warehouse and distribution facility at Etiquette Park. The deal marks significant expansion for the food packaging distributor who have doubled their turnover in the past 18 months. Catering24 has the option to purchase the property within the first 2 years which Catering24 aim to do and represents a total investment in the warehouse, equipment, racking and IT software to the sum of £2.8million. Richard Sutton, Managing Director at NG Chartered Surveyors and joint agent on the scheme, said: “It’s fantastic to see TanRo progressing with such pace at Etiquette Park and I’m proud of our involvement in the bespoke scheme by Clowes Developments. “Letting over 50,000 sq ft of space shows just what a quality development Etiquette Park is, and I wish both Weleda and Catering24 all the very best in their new homes.” Planning permission for both warehouse units totalling 50,000 sq ft was approved by Erewash Borough Council at the later end of last year. Construction on site is progressing and both occupiers are looking to move into their premises by the end of this year. FHP Property Consultants are joint agents on Etiquette Park, director Tim Gilbertson added: “This has been a really good outcome for Clowes as well as for the Ilkeston market.”

Grantham law firm expands

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Grantham law firm expands

JMP Solicitors has expanded its personal injury team in its Grantham office with the appointment of senior solicitor, Monique Medd.

Monique brings a wealth of experience to the firm having specialised in litigating high value and complex personal injury claims for the last 22 years. Many of these claims were for catastrophic injuries – where people have suffered life changing injuries due to different types of accidents, as well as pursuing claims for the victims of asbestos exposure and other serious industrial diseases.

Monique will be advising clients on all aspects of personal injury law including workplace claims, road traffic accidents, criminal injuries, fatal accidents, and public liability claims.

As an active member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, Monique is committed to fighting for the rights of injured people. APIL is a not-for-profit organisation representing injured people and is dedicated to protecting and enhancing access to justice, improving the services provided for victims of personal injury, and campaigning to change the law wherever appropriate.

Neil McKinley, also a personal injury solicitor at the firm, was elected the president of APIL in May 2021.

On her new appointment, Monique said: “JMP Solicitors is an approachable practice and well regarded for this area of law.

“As a well-established Lincolnshire firm, I’m very excited to be joining such a friendly and passionate company and utilising my skills and experience within the team.”

Ian Howard, Managing Director at JMP Solicitors, said: “We’d like to give a warm welcome to Monique on joining the JMP team. Monique is ideally positioned to drive forward our work in this critical area, bringing with her a real passion for helping people, alongside an impressive track record.

“Accident claims are the core of our business and over the years we have won millions of pounds of compensation for thousands of clients all over England and Wales. I believe she will fit in perfectly with other team members and we wish her all the best of luck in her new role.”

Boston Town businesses to receive fully-funded support

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Boston Town businesses to receive fully-funded support
Businesses based in Boston Town can now benefit from fully-funded support and training to help them to prosper and grow. The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics has been set up by the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM) in association with Boston College. Funded through the Boston Town Deal this forms one of the eight projects within an overall funding package of £21.9 million to Boston provided through the Town Deal Initiative by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The funding is aimed at businesses in: Agri-Food Technologies, Port & Logistics, Manufacturing, Engineering & Packaging, Equipment & Technical Services plus Food Service including Retailers and Restaurants. The delivery partners provide an outstanding resource base and work in collaboration with Boston businesses to identify growth needs and provide suitable solutions. The ambition is to enable businesses to grow through adoption of innovation, digital technologies, scientific research, training and development of workforce, products and process development plus business advice. There is also a Capital Grant element to help towards equipment purchases. Benefits are tailored to suit the needs of the business and employees with a focus on: Business Support to Enhance Productivity, Profitability and Job Creation Access to technical services and consultancy provided by a dedicated team of experts at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing (NCFM), Boston College, Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology and University of Lincoln College of Science. Project examples include – Digitalisation, Automation, Product Trials and New Product Development, Processes, Packaging, Robotics, Finance, Marketing, Crop Storage, Scientific Research and General Business Consultancy. Knowledge Transfer and Networking Programme members benefit from business networking and knowledge sharing activities such as – Events, Equipment Demonstrations, Masterclasses and Signposting to other sources of relevant support. Workforce Development through enhancement of Skills and Knowledge Boston College provides the lead for the development and delivery of training programmes to match the growth needs of programme businesses. Topics aim to upskill the workforce and enhance the effectiveness of business leadership and management. Sector activities will also campaign for career awareness, create a talent pipeline and encourage new entrants. Some courses will be delivered via distance learning and course costs will be covered by the programme, thus avoiding the main barriers to workforce development. Capital Grants Potential for Capital Grant funding contribution towards the purchase of equipment identified as required to meet project needs established during programme engagement. Up to 50% of purchase cost to a maximum of £5000 could be available, subject to application and panel approval. Councillor Paul Skinner, leader of Boston Borough Council, said: “This new opportunity which focuses on skills development for the food chain and technology sector is something we have been looking forward to for many months now. The Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics forms part of the wider South Lincolnshire food knowledge cluster centred on the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone in Holbeach. Getting this project underway by enhancing and developing our younger generations education is key to future successes.” Chair of the Boston Town Deal Board, Neil Kempster, said: “I am delighted to see the official launch of the Centre for Food & Fresh Produce Logistics which is a key component within the portfolio of projects being supported through the funding from the Boston Town Deal. “It targets some of the key sectors of the local economy providing support and access to funding and resources that will enable local businesses to prosper, as well as helping to educate our younger generations of the significant opportunities available to them in this specialist and diverse environment. I would encourage as many local businesses as possible to take advantage of this initiative which I believe will make a real difference to the local economy.” Dean of The University of Lincoln Holbeach Campus and head of NCFM professor Val Braybrooks MBE said: “The new Centre for Food and Fresh Produce Logistics will enable Boston Town to play a pivotal role in achieving the Local Enterprise Partnerships UK Food Valley ambitions to grow and promote our world class food sector as a major talent and investment hub. “It will help to drive business partnered enterprise, innovation, and research, with an aligned skills offer to enhance productivity and provide access to high quality career opportunities for Boston’s agri-food sector and community.” Principal & CEO of Boston College, Claire Foster, said: “We are delighted to be associated with this Boston-focussed project to support our food and logistics sector. Never before has it been more important for colleges, universities and businesses to combine our efforts for innovative collaborations, mutual support and benefit, increasing productivity for the shared prosperity of all. We look forward to being integral to the success of our local industries, providing skills and employment opportunities for now and the future.”

D2N2 LEP awards £6.5m to seven low carbon projects

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D2N2 LEP awards £6.5m to seven low carbon projects
The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership has announced it will be investing £6.5million from its Low Carbon Growth Fund into seven innovative projects based across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire. The ground-breaking fund, which was launched in December last year, aims to provide solutions to help reduce the region’s carbon dioxide output and deliver more sustainable industrial practices. The funded projects are expected to deliver wide-ranging support and diversification of the local economy. The selected initiatives have a strong focus on innovation with the potential to assist nationally important industries and sectors – and will also benefit small and medium-sized businesses, public sector organisations, and community groups. Today’s announcement builds on the work of the D2N2 LEPs Low Carbon Group, which was set up last year to convene and coordinate low carbon programmes to deliver opportunities for investment, business growth and jobs to support national and regional policy, including the government’s “Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener” and the “The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution.” All project funding is subject to the delivery of a full business case which will be considered by the D2N2 investment and main boards. Elizabeth Fagan CBE, chair of the D2N2 LEP, said: “This announcement is a further signal of our region’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and supporting the growth of our green economy. These projects have the potential to accelerate sustainable carbon reduction across our region and provide commercial solutions to carbon challenges across the UK. ” Wayne Bexton, director of carbon reduction, energy and sustainability at Nottingham City Council, said: “As co-chair of the D2N2 Low Carbon Group I’m thrilled to note the award of funding across the region to deliver innovative solutions to the carbon reduction challenge. Collaboration and sharing of best practice is a key pillar in enabling sustainable change at pace and I have no doubt that this funding award will lead to fantastic results. I look forward to the further opportunities for low carbon jobs these initiatives will bring.” Becky Rix, D2N2 Board member and marketing director at Roadgas, said: “It is vital that D2N2 encourage and support local SMEs to consider their carbon emissions in the development of new projects in our region. The Low Carbon Growth Group is committed to supporting the city’s #CN28 campaign as well as delivering green growth in pursuit of our economic recovery. Sustainability and exciting innovation is at the heart of these successful bids.”

Drone firm flies into Silverstone Park

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Drone firm flies into Silverstone Park
Crowded Space Drones, whose advanced drone technology the government uses to help with counter-terrorism and public safety at high profile venues and events, has located to Silverstone Park. The business is currently completing a full fit-out of 2,350 sq ft of industrial accommodation. Inside, after installation of a new internal second floor, the premises will house a broadcasting centre and conference and training rooms for seven full-time staff, plus a workshop to maintain its drones – some costing over £20,000 each. MD Andrew McQuillan, previously head of security for Game of Thrones and in charge of the Drone Racing League, said: “We get a pure fibre connection from the Innovation Centre – incredibly fast speeds which is one of the things we require. “Silverstone Park offered us really good options on unit size, but also the location means the travel radius from here is phenomenal – for example we might need to be in Portsmouth to film for Virgin Cruises and it’s still only two hours away.” Linked up to Crowded Space’s head office in Belfast, the business is CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) accredited – all its pilots are CAA-trained – and, says Andrew: “We’re probably the only business who can do what we do.” “Essentially, we’re a very specialist drone services company which the CAA will give special permissions to,” he continued. “After the Gatwick drone incident in 2018, we responded to counter-terrorism police and covered all other UK airports for them. “Soon after that incident, we prevented someone trying to fly a drone down a runway at another major airport and also potentially into the path of a large passenger jet on its final approach. “A lot of that work is when we bring our range of detection systems into play – they can detect any drone from around 40km away. We undertake similar counter-terrorism measures for governments in the USA and Ireland, but it’s mainly UK. “We’re also active in other areas such as the Wimbledon tennis tournament for the full three weeks and even I’m a Celebrity, where we use infra-red drones through the forests to detect people trying to access the set illegally.”

Challenges remain as deal for Derby County nears completion

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Challenges remain as deal for Derby County nears completion
The deal to take Derby County out of administration and under the ownership of American businessman Chris Kirchner is nearing completion, according to the EFL Board. In a newly released statement, the EFL noted that evidence of source and sufficiency of funding has now been provided, but there still remain a number of outstanding challenges to be resolved. The Board has instructed the Executive to continue its discussions with Kirchner in regard to finalising the terms of a Membership agreement. A significant issue highlighted is the status of the stadium. The EFL said: “It is clear that the complexity associated with this aspect of the transaction is the biggest hurdle to overcome.” Kirchner continues in dialogue with the relevant parties as to how this can be resolved. The joint administrators of Derby County, Quantuma, named Kirchner as the preferred bidder for the club last month, after the businessman had initially expressed an interest in acquiring the club in late 2021. Quantuma noted that the bid is for the purchase of the football club only, with the terms of the club’s ongoing occupation of Pride Park stadium to be negotiated with external stakeholders. The EFL’s statement said: “The EFL Board has today been advised that a deal to take Derby County out of administration and under the ownership of Mr Chris Kirchner is nearing completion. “Evidence of source and sufficiency of funding has now been provided but there still remain a number of outstanding challenges to be resolved. “As a result, the Board has instructed the Executive to continue its discussions with Mr Kirchner and his representatives in regard to finalising the terms of a Membership agreement. “However, a significant issue remains in respect of the status of the stadium and Mr Kirchner continues in dialogue with the relevant parties as to how this can be resolved. It is clear that the complexity associated with this aspect of the transaction is the biggest hurdle to overcome. “The EFL acknowledges the current time pressures relating to Mr Kirchner’s position as preferred bidder and will seek to conclude matters as soon as possible in line with requirements as set out in the League’s Insolvency Policy. “The League will be making no further comment at this time.”

Ward backs the East Midlands Bricks Awards for another year

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Ward backs the East Midlands Bricks Awards for another year
Ward has joined the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, supporting the Developer of the Year category for another year. Speaking with Business Link, Donald Ward, operations director at Ward, said: “Supporting the achievements of our friends, customers, colleagues and suppliers in the building and construction sector is important to us, that’s why we’re pleased to be sponsoring the Bricks’ Developer of the Year category again this year. “As a business we support developers and contractors to maximise recycling and achieve potential returns through segregating waste streams on site. Part of our ongoing sustainability strategy is to work with the construction sector and its supply chain to reduce waste to landfill, improve environmental credentials and realise financial and operational efficiencies through effective metal recycling and waste management.” The awards, which will take place on Thursday 15 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrate the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards. To submit a business or development, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include: The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

To be held at:

Stapleford £1m Town Centre Recovery Fund reopens with more businesses now eligible

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Stapleford £1m Town Centre Recovery Fund reopens with more businesses now eligible
The £1m Town Centre Recovery Fund has reopened to high street businesses in Stapleford, and now includes more local businesses, to aid their recovery from the pandemic.
The funding is being made available through the £21m Stapleford Towns Fund which aims to regenerate and revitalise the town. The scheme is split into two grants to support different aspects of business recovery:
  1. The Business Continuity Grant (BCG) aims to support business resilience and growth over the long term, sustaining occupancy levels within Stapleford Town Centre. This grant will support existing businesses looking to expand the way they distribute their services. It is anticipated a maximum of £200,000 will be spent on this portion of the wider Town Centre Recovery Fund. Under the BCG, eligible businesses will be able to apply for and receive up to a maximum of £10,000, although this higher amount does require match funding.
  2. The Building Development Fund (BDF) is to create buildings of the future; improving accessibility, energy efficiency and the look and feel of Stapleford Town Centre. It is anticipated a maximum of £800,000 will be issued through this part of the fund. Under the BDF eligible businesses will be able to apply for and receive up to a maximum of £100,000, although this higher amount does require match funding.
The Towns Fund Board agreed this month to extend the parameters for applications to include businesses on Bessell Lane, Wellington Street, Middle Orchard Street, to the west end of Derby Road and northeast along Nottingham Road up to Cambridge House so that more are able to benefit. Many businesses have already been successful in their bids from the first round of funding, including:
  1. 20 Derby Rd, part-funding the conversion of the building into three offices – £97,330
  2. Sun Shine Fish and Chicken, 90 Derby Road, new cooking equipment to offer healthier food – £5,000
  3. Ryan Plumbing and Heating, 137a Derby Road, shopfront signage and showroom fixtures and fittings – £6,000

Nottingham sushi producer set for nationwide expansion

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Nottingham sushi producer set for nationwide expansion
A Nottingham-based luxury sushi producer has launched a nationwide delivery service with support from The Food Innovation Centre at the University of Nottingham. Uramaki began producing sushi products for delivery in the Nottingham area during lockdown. Now the company has expanded by introducing UK-wide delivery after receiving expert advice from the Food Innovation Centre. Food innovation technologist Jack Wallman helped Uramaki to research and source the ideal cases to keep the sushi looking great and in top condition during transportation and delivery. Rachel Thacker, who runs Uramaki with chef husband Paul, said: “We needed to secure the sushi so that it arrived at its destination intact and wanted to include special slots for the wasabi, ground ginger and soy bottle. Jack helped to work through the vision and helped to source packaging suppliers. “The cases we decided on are more compact, so the sushi doesn’t move around during transit, with a liner inside for the accompaniments. This means we can now deliver nationwide, knowing that the sushi has been carefully and optimally packaged.” The West Bridgford-based business specialises in authentic handmade sushi and was launched during lockdown in 2020 when Rachel and Paul saw a gap in the market for luxury food deliveries. The team also includes award-winning sushi chef Jaturavit Saysena, a friend and work colleague of Paul’s for many years, who has worked in some of the world’s best sushi restaurants. Uramaki began a local delivery service within 15 miles of Nottingham, before also introducing pick-up points at various farm shops in the area. But this latest move allows the company to deliver across the UK – opening up a significant market for their sushi. Former hotel manager Rachel, who now works part-time at the Waterside Apartments at Trent Bridge, and husband Paul, a chef at Lakeside, Ravenshead, were put in touch with the Food Innovation Centre by business support enterprise Nottingham Business Venture. The Food Innovation Centre is based at the Bioenergy and Brewing Science building at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington campus, and offers free support to eligible small and medium-sized food and drink manufacturers in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire under the Driving Research and Innovation project – a three-year project that runs until the end of December 2022. Rachel said: “Support from the Food Innovation Centre has been really helpful for us. We were a new business in lockdown and if you haven’t got the skill base to solve particular challenges or don’t know how to get the information that you need, it’s really helpful to be able to speak to someone like Jack. It’s someone believing in your vision and helping you to reach the next step.” Richard Worrall, who runs the Food Innovation Centre, said: “We are very pleased to hear that the Uramaki team has been able to introduce a nationwide delivery service. Lockdown proved to be a catalyst for a number of new food and drink businesses in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and we are delighted to be supporting them on their journeys as they develop.”

OMEETO expands with key appointment

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OMEETO expands with key appointment
A commercial property agent with industry experience in both the UK and his native Australia has joined OMEETO due to increased instructions across the East and West Midlands. Caine Gilchrist has joined OMEETO from AE Commercial in Sutton Coldfield and explained that he was attracted to the company due to its fresh approach to marketing. “I have worked in all aspects of property from facilities and property management to sales and lettings and I am particularly excited to be part of OMEETO’s original approach to marketing – embracing the latest digital techniques and bring the standard of UK property marketing to another level. “I was also keen to work alongside Chris Wright to expand the company as he has a great reputation in the industry and, having settled fully in the UK after moving here from Melbourne, Australia, it was time for a fresh challenge.” OMEETO director Chris Wright added: “Caine’s proven track record in so many aspects of the industry and in digital marketing made him the perfect addition to the team at a time when we continue to win tenders and pick up new instructions for a wide range of commercial property sales and lettings.”

Interest rates to rise to 1%

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Interest rates to rise to 1%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has decided to raise interest rates once again – from 0.75% to 1%. It is the fourth consecutive rise since December, and comes against the backdrop and amidst the challenges of a cost of living and what is becoming a cost of doing business crisis. Business associations react to the news
Scott Knowles
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “The acceleration of interest rates hikes over the past few months is becoming an increasing concern for businesses, which have until now relied on low repayment fees to make sizeable investments in their people, plant and machinery. “While the latest rise, framed by the Bank of England as a method of tackling the escalating cost of living, was expected, it further squeezes the margins on firms at a time when they are already dealing with increased overheads for staff, energy and raw materials. “Against a backdrop of growing domestic and global headwinds including the terrible events in Ukraine, it will be viewed by many as a further step in a prolonged period of aggressive monetary tightening at a time when consumers and businesses are struggling under a myriad of rising cost pressures. “Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey for Q1 2022 shows two-thirds (67%) of East Midlands companies expect they will be forced to raise their prices over the next three months as a result, leading to a very real cost of doing business crisis. “Cashflow went into negative territory for three out of 10 of our region’s organisations at the beginning of this year and raising interest rates is another deterrent to future investment – which ultimately is what enables businesses to improve productivity in order to create growth, jobs and wealth in their communities. “The Government simply must do more to ease the burden on small and medium-sized businesses, which are crucial to steering the economic recovery.”
FSB
Martin McTague of the FSB
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) chair Martin McTague said: “Small businesses are caught between a rock and a hard place: spiralling operating costs on one side, rising personal and professional debt costs on the other. “The hope is that today’s move goes some way to putting the brakes on input price inflation in a way that hasn’t been achieved by previous rate rises, mitigating the pain of higher debt repayments. “When we spoke to members over the first lockdown, the majority were carrying debt, and four in ten were concerned that their debt was now ‘unmanageable’. “Those with bounce-backs are rightly protected with a fixed rate on those facilities, but a lot of the wider personal and professional loans that small businesses and sole traders hold will move in line with the increase today. “Consider the electrician who is trying to manage surging fuel prices and the costs of supply chain disruption at work, whilst also being hit by spiralling utility bills and, now, higher mortgage repayments at home. “Microbusinesses are especially hard-hit by the cost of doing business crisis. Energy costs are particularly difficult to manage, as they are not eligible for the relief offered to consumers, and don’t benefit from the leverage that big businesses can bring to bear. As these new figures show, their fight to bounce back from Covid is that much greater than for a lot of big corporates. “Those with coronavirus business interruption loans will be feeling particularly apprehensive after today’s increase, which is why we’re urging government to extend Pay As You Grow options to CBILS customers to ease at least one of the mounting pressures they face. “We’re also encouraging policymakers to look again at our debt for employee equity proposals, giving the minority who are really struggling to repay bounce-backs the option to convert to an employee ownership trust model – protecting livelihoods, improving productivity and protecting taxpayer funds in the process. “This is a moment for the banks to step up: helping their small business and sole trader customers to manage the effects of rising rates responsibly. Widespread collapse is not good for anyone long-term.”
Alpesh Paleja
Alpesh Paleja, CBI lead economist, said: “Another rise in interest rates is warranted, given the persistence of high inflation. However, the Monetary Policy Committee are walking an increasingly fine line. Further action to curb price pressures needs to be weighed against the increasing need to protect growth, particularly in light of a historic cost-of-living crunch. Households are feeling it and so are businesses, with cost pressures across the board. “While monetary policy is the appropriate first line of defence in tackling inflation, government needs to take further action to shore up the broader resilience of the UK economy. In the near-term, higher inflation will hit poorer households hardest, so support measures for this group will need to be kept under review. Over the longer-term, securing greener energy supply and a relentless focus on raising potential growth will bolster our ability to withstand shocks and further price pressures.” Kitty Ussher, chief economist of the Institute of Directors, said: “We welcome the Bank of England’s judgement that the need to tackle high expectations of inflation is of greater concern than the risk of curbing demand too fast in the short-term. “Our own surveys show that only a third of our members currently expect inflation will come back to the Bank’s 2% target before 2024 and much of the current uncertainty business leaders are feeling comes from having to operate in an environment where prices are unstable. “The Bank, however, has today said it expects inflation to be near the 2% target two years from now, which will be welcome to business leaders. “The Bank has also signalled that further interest rate rises are on the cards, to around 2.5% this time next year. If, however, cost of living pressures cause households to rein back on discretionary spending, or further difficulties in our export markets cause British companies to suffer lower orders, this assumption may need to be revised.”

Recipe box company to create hundreds of jobs with move to £40m bespoke, chilled fulfilment centre

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Recipe box company to create hundreds of jobs with move to £40m bespoke, chilled fulfilment centre
St. Modwen Logistics has signed a deal with recipe box retailer, Gousto, to deliver a 295,000 sq ft fulfilment centre at St. Modwen Park Burton. The £40m bespoke, chilled fulfilment centre will increase Gousto’s operational capacity by 40%. The sustainable warehouse space will be home to a highly automated, chilled fulfilment centre where Gousto recipe boxes are picked and packed before being delivered to homes across the country. Hundreds of new jobs will be created to run the operation, from engineering managers and warehouse managers to operatives and front-line leaders. Recruitment is expected to begin next year. CEO and founder of Gousto, Timo Boldt, said: “The future is incredibly exciting for Gousto, as we capitalise on the accelerating trends of convenience, health and sustainability that are driving change within the grocery market. “We’re delighted to be occupying the space at Burton – not only will this increase our capacity, but it will bring hundreds of job opportunities to the area. We look forward to embarking on our next stage of growth, as we get closer to achieving our vision of becoming the UK’s most-loved way to eat dinner.” Polly Troughton, Managing Director at St. Modwen Logistics, said: “It’s fantastic to be working in partnership with Gousto and to offer them a bespoke, sustainable warehouse as their operational needs increase and their business flourishes, bringing further employment to the area to support economic growth. “Our shared mutual values in the environment and sustainability will allow Gousto to innovate, grow and respond to the heightened demand of their expanding customer base.” St. Modwen Logistics has appointed Readie Construction Limited to deliver the fulfilment centre, with SBH Property Consultants acting on behalf of Gousto.

Plans in for 380,000 sq ft of South Derbyshire logistics floor space

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Plans in for 380,000 sq ft of South Derbyshire logistics floor space
Acting on behalf of Clowes Developments, Asteer Planning has submitted a suite of planning applications for four new employment sites at Dove Valley Park. The plans will provide a further 380,000 sq ft of new, purpose-built logistics floor space at this large employment site in Foston, South Derbyshire. The suite of planning applications seek full planning approval for the erection of four speculative units and a further unit to provide new facilities for OGM Holdings Ltd, specialists in Plastic Injection Moulding. The scheme for OGM comprises two alternative proposals to provide flexibility for OMG who currently operate from four locations throughout the UK and have ambitious plans for further growth. The proposed plot at Dove Valley Park is currently allocated as a roadside lorry park, but due to lack of demand it has never been developed. The new plans will transform the site. When delivered, the four new employment sites will result is approximately 690 new on-site jobs and a further 140 off-site jobs. Significant business rate receipts and construction spend will also be realised, aligning with South Derbyshire District Council’s ambition for sustainable economic growth in the area. Alice Routledge at Asteer Planning said: “Our client has been careful to create plans which will provide modern, purpose-built, sustainable units for a variety of uses. With job creation and sustainability at the heart of the proposals, approval of this suite of applications will significantly increase the site’s attractiveness and further bolster Dove Valley Park’s growing reputation as a highly sought after industrial and logistics location.” Marc Freeman, director at Clowes Developments, added: “We are pleased to bring new development opportunities to Dove Valley Park. The scheme has been hugely successful over the years with world-renowned companies making Dove Valley Park a strategically located industrial and logistics hub for their businesses.” The applications submitted to South Derbyshire District Council mark the ongoing development of the Business Park, which is already home to top name occupiers including JCB Power Systems, Futaba International, Tophat, Truma and Kuehne and Nagel. The wider team includes IMA Architects, ISLA landscape architects, HUB Transport, Rammsanderson, Delta Simons, Emcus, SLR and Wisher Consulting.

Keynote speaker revealed for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022

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Keynote speaker revealed for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022

John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, has been announced as the keynote speaker for this year’s East Midlands Bricks Awards taking place on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.

John Forkin MBE DL said: “Celebrating success has rarely been as important as we exit the pandemic but enter the cost of living crisis. The East Midlands development community continues to navigate its way through all of this, as the number of sites under construction across the region shows. “I’m delighted to be asked to make my contribution to the Bricks and hope to be able to share some insights that illustrate the innovation and determination of this community.” Celebrating the property and construction industry, the East Midlands Bricks Awards highlight the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards. To submit a business or development, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include: The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. Dress code is standard business attire.
Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

To be held at:

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