Redrow Homes’ East Midlands division has completed on a 21-acre site off Jackson Lane in Etwall, formerly used for agriculture, just eight-miles south of Derby.
With outline planning consent in place, a selection of three, four and five-bedroom homes is expected to be built.
With a reserved matters planning application in progress, construction at the development is anticipated to commence in Autumn. Redrow has committed to circa £1million by way of S106 contributions.
Andy Noton, land director for the East Midlands, said: “We’re excited to announce the exchange of land in Etwall, and to be bringing a variety of new homes to the area.
“Here at Redrow, we strive to create sustainable, thriving communities at each of our developments, through building high-quality homes and investing in the local area, which is why we will be contributing circa £1million into the surrounding community.
“We’re looking forward to starting work in the Autumn, and seeing the new homes begin to take shape. Although it is early days, we anticipate that the development will be extremely popular with families, both growing and established.”
Are you sitting comfortably? By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR and the PR and Communications Ambassador for the IoD in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, dives into the importance of storytelling in marketing.
In a hole in the ground, there lived a Hobbit.
Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.
Thank you Mr Tolkien for your kind introduction to my latest column on marketing!
You see, the problem with MOST marketing is that it is all a bit, well, meh.
It doesn’t make you feel comfortable like the legendary opening to The Hobbit, nor does it make you feel UNCOMFORTABLE. In fact, it rarely makes you FEEL anything at all.
The reason? You aren’t telling stories. Thinking about it, you are probably not even consciously trying to but guess what, you really should!
Try this: “It was just after I bundled Richard Branson through a security door that I knew I loved my job!” Or perhaps: “I started the day fibbing about the whereabouts of the former prime minister’s wife.”
I’ve used these lines many times in my marketing career because they are the beginning of a story. The story of my career and how I help people with their PR. They lead onto how the dickens I got myself into that situation and they create intrigue. They entertain AND they inform. The problem is, far too much marketing that I see just focuses on the latter and honestly, it often fails to even do that.
Just as the last edition of this magazine came out, I found myself face-to-face with David Walliams and if you’ve met me in person, that will give you an idea of how tall he is (see, I’m telling a story again). After some polite chit-chat and the obligatory photo-opp (David insisted) I made a note to write about this encounter for this latest edition.
You see, David is not only the co-creator of Little Britain, a channel swimming charity hero, and panellist of Britain’s Got Talent, he is also one of the best-selling children’s authors of all time! We’re approaching J.K. Rowling levels!
He has done this because he creates memorable and often outrageous characters – as we know now, some are no longer so well received! I’m not suggesting you have to go out there and start creating Gangsta Grannies or Billionaire Boys but it might help if you started to inject some more colour into your case studies at least.
A lot of the case studies I read feel as if they’ve been written simply because a marketing expert like me told them it would help. They will, but only if they are something that will be read!
“It was a crisp February morning when we pulled onto the disused wasteland…” is a far more promising start to a case study about groundworks than the usual Client, Location, Size format!
I know that writing does not come easily to many people but we don’t need War and Peace, in fact we need anything but that. We need something that breaks the monotony, that speaks to the target audience, that resonates with them. Ultimately, we need stories.
So next time you start working on some copy for your ‘About Us’ page of your website, or an award submission or a case study, see if you can become a storyteller, even if just for a little while.
Remember, you don’t need to be Tolkien to write a white paper on ‘Elf and Safety’!
A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008.
He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective.
The East Midlands Property & Business Expo returns this Friday
After almost two years of no exhibitions, the East Midlands Property & Business Expo, for which Business Link is a proud partner, will return this Friday (12 November 2021).
Taking place at the De Vere East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, delegates can pre-register for free entry to the event, which has everything you need for a great day of networking and business generation.
An established event of over 20 years, the show is well targeted and aimed at the construction, property, business, investment, finance, professional services and related B2B markets.
The exhibition will open to attendees at 9am, with a seminar taking place between 10:30am 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.
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.
Exhibitors include A+G Architects, Allica Bank, Aspbury Planning, Bassetlaw District Council, Bowmer + Kirkland, BSP Consulting, Delta Simons, East Midlands Chamber, Empire Finance, Galliford Try, Invest East Midlands, Invest Newark & Sherwood, J Tomlinson, Lindum, Nottingham Trent University, Pick Everard, Pygott & Crone, Rigby & Co, Severn Trent, Stepnell, Wildgoose, YMD Boon, and more.
Notts software solutions provider makes biggest ever acquisition with £57.7m deal
Nottinghamshire-based provider of information management software, Ideagen PLC, has made its biggest acquisition to date.
Sydney-based RegTech provider, CompliSpace has been acquired by Ideagen for a sum of AUD$105 million (approximately £57.7 million), in a deal that will boost Ideagen’s footprint in a new geography, expand its commercial offering and enhance its Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR).
A fast-growing provider of Governance, Risk, Compliance (GRC) and Policy Management software, CompliSpace offers risk-based software programs and education to organisations principally in the education and social care sectors, where Ideagen sees globally compelling structural growth tailwinds.
Ideagen already provides global software and services to more than 6,000 highly regulated customers across multiple industries such as aviation, financial services, life-sciences, healthcare and manufacturing with operations throughout the UK, US, Europe, Middle East and South-East Asia.
The acquisition of CompliSpace is Ideagen’s 24th since its admission to UK AIM market, continuing what has been a successful strategy of growth via strategic acquisitions that add to Ideagen’s geographical and sector expertise.
Ben Dorks, CEO of Ideagen, said: “The acquisition of CompliSpace delivers three clear strategic objectives for Ideagen – a complementary commercial offering with a compelling growth opportunity, a strong footprint in a new geography, and enhances our ARR.
“We see a significant opportunity to leverage CompliSpace’s Australian footprint with our existing product suite, while also expanding its customer base within Europe and North America – in line with our strategy to grow both our geographical and sector expertise.
“We are very excited to add CompliSpace to our business and underline our commitment to supporting customers operating in highly regulated environments with high quality software solutions across a range of platforms.”
CompliSpace recorded revenue of AUD$15.4 million (approximately £8.4 million) and a loss before tax of AUD$3.6 million (approximately £2.0 million) for the year to 30 June 2021 with net assets of AUD$11.6 million (approximately £6.4 million) at that date. The acquisition will be funded from Ideagen’s existing resources.
As part of the transaction, CompliSpace CEO David Griffiths will remain as Regional Senior Vice President, and will continue to hold a significant shareholding in the business.
“Joining Ideagen ensures that CompliSpace can fulfil our vision and purpose beyond Australia, and support schools and aged care facilities to better service their customers across Asia, North America, the UK and Europe,” Mr Griffiths said.
“We look forward to bringing Ideagen’s world-class risk and compliance software services to Australia, while taking our software, expertise and skills to the world.”
Founded in March 2007, CompliSpace has served more than 950 clients in Australia including more than 730 schools and more than 135 aged care facilities across the country. Its software as a service offerings provide customers with both content and a cloud-based software platform to monitor their compliance with relevant industry and legal regulations.
The company has more than 90 staff with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Intoware makes chief technology officer promotion
Intoware, the Nottingham-based workflow software provider, has promoted Lee McDonald from head of development to chief technology officer.
In this new role, Lee will lead the development of Intoware’s industrial work-instruction platform, WorkfloPlus to modernise the frontline workforce through connected, digital working.
“We are thrilled that Lee has stepped into his new role as Intoware begins the next phase of its innovation roadmap for WorkfloPlus,” said Keith Tilley, CEO of Intoware.
“Lee’s enthusiasm for digital technologies has allowed us to adopt a fully customer-centric approach, by gaining knowledge and experience from each and every interaction to ensure that we deliver added value to our clients including, Petrofac, Network Rail and Welsh Water.”
Prior to joining Intoware in 2019, Lee worked for Nottingham-based data and technology business ERT that supports the clinical research market.
Successful equity raise sees progress for Rolls-Royce’s mini nuclear plants
Following a successful equity raise, the Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor (SMR) business has been established, and has the potential to create 40,000 jobs.
The business will bring forward and deliver at scale the next generation of low cost, low carbon nuclear power technology.
Rolls-Royce Group, BNF Resources UK Limited and Exelon Generation Limited will invest £195m across a period of around three years. The funding will enable the business to secure grant funding of £210 million from UK Research and Innovation funding, first announced by the UK Prime Minister in ‘The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution’.
Rolls-Royce’s announcement is another step towards the delivery of the Government’s net zero strategy and its 10-point plan.
The business, which will continue to seek further investment, will now proceed rapidly with a range of parallel delivery activities, including entry to the UK Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process and identifying sites for the factories which will manufacture the modules that enable on-site assembly of the power plants.
Discussions will also continue with the UK Government on identifying the delivery models that will enable long-term investment in this net-zero enabling technology. Rolls-Royce SMR is engaging with export customers across many continents who need this technology to meet their own net zero commitments.
Warren East, Rolls-Royce CEO, said: “The SMR programme is one of the ways that Rolls-Royce is meeting the need to ensure the UK continues to develop innovative ways to tackle the global threat of climate change.
“With the Rolls-Royce SMR technology, we have developed a clean energy solution which can deliver cost competitive and scalable net zero power for multiple applications from grid and industrial electricity production to hydrogen and synthetic fuel manufacturing.
“The business could create up to 40,000 jobs, through UK deployment and export enabled growth. As a major shareholder in Rolls-Royce SMR, we will continue to support its path to successful deployment.”
Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the UK to deploy more low carbon energy than ever before and ensure greater energy independence.
“Small Modular Reactors offer exciting opportunities to cut costs and build more quickly, ensuring we can bring clean electricity to people’s homes and cut our already-dwindling use of volatile fossil fuels even further.
“In working with Rolls-Royce, we are proud to back the largest engineering collaboration the UK has ever seen – uniting some of the most respected and innovating organisations on the planet.
“Not only can we maximise British content, create new intellectual property and reinvigorate supply chains, but also position our country as a global leader in innovative nuclear technologies we can potentially export elsewhere.
“By harnessing British engineering and ingenuity, we can double down on our plan to deploy more home-grown, affordable clean energy in this country.”
Tom Samson, CEO, Rolls-Royce SMR, said: “Today’s announcement is fantastic news. Rolls-Royce SMR has been established to deliver a low cost, deployable, scalable and investable programme of new nuclear power plants.
“Our transformative approach to delivering nuclear power, based on predictable factory-built components, is unique and the nuclear technology is proven. Investors see a tremendous opportunity to decarbonise the UK through stable baseload nuclear power, in addition to fulfilling a vital export need as countries identify nuclear as an opportunity to decarbonise.
“The capitalisation of Rolls-Royce SMR takes us a step closer to achieving a unique, and most importantly investable, proposition in nuclear energy. It is a major vote of confidence in British nuclear technology and the potential for building a world-leading domestic supply chain.”
Paul Stein, Chief Technology Officer, Rolls-Royce, and Chairman of Rolls-Royce SMR said: “In establishing this business, Rolls-Royce, BNF Capital and Exelon are taking leadership in accelerating our path to a future without fossil fuels. Global decarbonisation has never been more important, and we bring decades of precision manufacturing, and nuclear experience to the problem, adding to the skills of our partners.
“By deploying SMRs in the UK and overseas we will be making a significant contribution to decarbonisation. While the decarbonisation of the electricity grid is vital, I am particularly excited by the use of SMRs to synthesise net zero fuels which can be used to power Rolls-Royce engines.”
Sean Benson, Director of BNF Capital Limited, said: “BNF has an established history of energy market investing and we are proud to be a part of Rolls-Royce SMR in this exciting opportunity. Following reviews of numerous proposals we found that this project, featuring a highly experienced team was the most realistic, affordable and scalable solution for provision of carbon-free baseload and alternative power requirements.”
Ralph Hunter, Chief Operating Officer of Exelon Nuclear Partners and Vice President of Exelon Generation, said: “As the largest producer of emissions-free energy in the U.S., Exelon helps customers and communities meet their environmental and economic goals.
“This partnership exemplifies our commitment to investing in clean energy technologies that will create a more sustainable future. We believe that small modular reactors could become a crucial part of the world’s clean energy mix and we are confident that, as an operational partner, we can help develop, deploy and operate a fleet of world-class SMRs.”
Rolls-Royce SMR is using proven nuclear technology, coupled with a unique factory-made module manufacturing and on-site assembly system, to harness decades of British engineering, design and manufacturing knowhow. It brings together the best of UK industry to ensure a decarbonisation solution that will be available to the UK grid in the early 2030s.
Rolls-Royce says the potential for this to be a leading global export for the UK is unprecedented.
Nine-tenths of an individual Rolls-Royce SMR power plant will be built or assembled in factory conditions and around 80% could be delivered by a UK supply chain – a unique offering in energy infrastructure in the UK. Much of the venture’s investment is expected to be focused in the North of the UK, where there is significant existing nuclear expertise
A single Rolls-Royce SMR power station will occupy the footprint of two football pitches and power approximately one million homes. It can support both on-grid electricity and a range of off-grid clean energy solutions, enabling the decarbonisation of industrial processes and the production of clean fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and green hydrogen, to support the energy transition in the wider heat and transportation sectors.
Nottingham expansion plans for “game-changing” trades industry escrow platform revealed
A newly launched online UK platform that protects tradespeople from late and non-payments has revealed plans to launch in Nottingham next year bringing with it a new office and employment for up to 12-16 people.
Pay The Trades, which launched in Lincolnshire earlier this year, is heralded as the first company in the world to bring peer-review escrow services to the trade industry.
The brainchild of founders Harvey Croft and Owain Hughes, Pay The Trades is a revolutionary escrow service that acts as an intermediary between tradespeople and their customers.
Currently operating from its base in Grantham, Lincolnshire, Pay The Trades is set to open offices in Nottingham inside 12 months, employing up to 12-16 in the area, as it looks to grow its team across sales, marketing and business development. The firm has eyed Lenton and Wollaton East as a potential location to set up its new site and realise its high growth potential.
It has also unveiled ambitious plans for growth and, as part of its five year rollout plan, it aims to have 10% of UK tradespeople using the service by 2026 and expects to turnover £4.15m inside three years.
Harvey Croft, entrepreneur and managing director of Pay The Trades, commented: “We’re excited to provide this solution to the trades of Nottingham and a market of hard-working individuals whose need for payment is overlooked.
“We’re also passionate about ensuring customers get the quality of work they are promised and removing ‘cowboy’ tradesmen from the market by bringing a whole new business process to the trades industry.”
Co-Founder Owain Hughes, continues: “I’ve been to Nottingham countless times and just love the area. It’s such a great city with lots to do and I would love to be a part of that vibrant working environment.
“From the local eateries to Nottingham castle, and with it being only a 40-minute train ride from my home town in Grantham it really has been a favourite place to go to for me. Not to mention it has a thriving trades industry in the area.”
The sole aim of Pay The Trades is to protect both the customer and the tradesperson and hopes to be a positive shot in the arm for the industry.
It will ensure customers receive the quality of work they pay for and protects tradespeople from late and non-payments in the process.
Offering tradespeople and customers a safe, easy and worry-free means of exchanging goods and services, Pay The Trades’ payment process provides a unique and much-needed form of income protection for self-employed tradespeople.
Rather than paying the tradesperson directly, customers pay via the Pay The Trades Escrow Service. Once the project has been completed, a 14-day holding period follows to ensure the customer is satisfied with the quality of the work and the tradesperson is paid without the hassle of chasing invoices.
In the scenario where a customer is unhappy with the service they’ve received, Pay The Trades will settle any disputes by providing a review process, checking the work and offering a refund where appropriate.
After building a successful career in production and logistics, Harvey Croft decided on a career change and began exploring plumbing as a potential option.
It was during this time that he encountered long-standing issues with payment that many tradespeople experienced on a regular basis. Identifying a gap in the market for a platform that could solve this issue, Croft began building what would become Pay The Trades.
The founding team of three includes Owain Hughes, who Croft has worked alongside consistently throughout his career.
Towcester health insurance firm acquires Bournemouth business
GRP-owned Premier Choice Healthcare (PCH) has boosted its position in the healthcare sector by acquiring Bournemouth-based PMI intermediary Equity Health Solutions Ltd.
The deal, PCH’s second since it became part of GRP last year, follows its acquisition in January of the portfolio of SJA International.
Equity Health Solutions was established in 2016 and works with the UK’s leading PMI providers to offer personal, business and international health insurance, and personal travel cover.
Stephen Hough, Managing Director of Towcester-based PCH, said the deal demonstrated their continued commitment to expanding GRP’s healthcare operation.
“We joined GRP with a clear brief to accelerate growth, and this acquisition is the next step forward in delivering on that,” he said. “Equity Health Solutions is a great business with an excellent reputation and we’re delighted to have them on board.
“There are still significant opportunities within the healthcare sector, and we will continue to make the most of those opportunities when we find businesses that are the right fit.”
Equity Health Solutions director, James Neeves, said: “As health insurance specialists, we pride ourselves on giving the best possible unbiased advice so that every customer gets the best cover to meet their individual needs.
“It’s great that PCH recognises what we’ve set out to achieve, and we’re looking forward to working with them and building on the new opportunities that joining them will bring.”
Stephen Ross, head of M&A for GRP, added: “This deal supports our aim to mirror the acquisition success we have had in UK retail commercial broking by boosting our presence in the healthcare market.
“It will help us to expand our overall proposition to offer both new and existing clients a suite of healthcare products alongside our existing services.”
Following the acquisition, James Neeves and fellow director Jasmine Albano will continue to run the business from its Bournemouth base and all staff will be retained.
1.5 million sq ft of industrial space planned for Northamptonshire as 107-acre land deal agreed
Harworth Group plc, a regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, has secured the freehold acquisition of a 107-acre strategic land site in Rothwell, Northamptonshire.
Located at Junction 3 of the A14, connecting to the A6, the site has a strong strategic position within the prime Midlands industrial location known as the ‘Golden Triangle’. Through links to the M1, M6 and A1(M), the site provides access to over one million people within 30 miles.
Harworth will work with local stakeholders, including the newly-formed North Northamptonshire unitary authority, to bring forward an outline planning application for up to 1.5 million sq ft of Grade A industrial & logistics space at the site, which it intends to directly develop.
Local Plans for the area have already identified a strong demand for employment space and specifically industrial units, and Harworth intends to promote the site as a means of meeting this demand as the North Northamptonshire Strategic Plan is prepared.
Harworth currently anticipates that it will submit an outline planning application for the site in 2023.
Andrew Blackshaw, Chief Operating Officer, Harworth Group plc, said: “In September, Harworth announced plans to develop over three million sq ft of industrial & logistics units over the next five years, as part of its ambitious strategy to double the size of its business.
“Harworth is a highly experienced developer with a pipeline of over 26 million sq ft of industrial & logistics space, and our Rothwell acquisition enhances this further and demonstrates our ability to deliver our strategy.”
David Cockroft, Regional Director – Midlands, Harworth Group plc, said: “This freehold acquisition offers the potential to deliver up to 1.5 million sq ft of Grade A industrial & logistics space at this strategically located site within the Golden Triangle.
“It provides a timely opportunity to engage with local stakeholders as the North Northamptonshire Strategic Plan emerges, to demonstrate how Harworth can deliver sustainable new investment and jobs for the region.”
Wright Vigar merges with Hobsons
Chartered accountants Wright Vigar and Hobsons have merged. The new group will operate in Nottingham and Newark under the Hobsons Wright Vigar name.
Wright Vigar, providing services since 1979, will now have eight offices across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and London.
The move is in line with Wright Vigar’s strategy to accelerate growth through mergers with organisations that are a strong cultural fit and strengthen their position within new and existing markets. They acquired a practice in Mansfield in 2020.
Established almost 90 years ago, Hobsons work with clients in the local Nottinghamshire community and service businesses across many sectors.
The merger sees 35 fee earners join the Wright Vigar team of 124 team members.
Jim Scully, Managing Director from Hobsons, said: “This is a significant step for both firms and we are delighted to be joining forces with Wright Vigar. Like ourselves they focus on building strong personal relationships with their clients throughout their teams.
“The depth of their resource and expertise in both the advisory and technology sectors will complement our current offering, and allow us to provide a wider range of in house services to our clients.”
Managing Director at Wright Vigar, Pete Harrison, said: “It has always been our ambition to open a substantial office in Nottingham and build our profile in Newark and we are excited to start working with the Hobsons team.
“From our conversations we could see their culture was very much aligned with ours, so we know this is an opportunity that is right for our business, and our team and will allow us to continue to provide excellent service to our clients.”
New warning that lack of digital presence is failing retailers
Following recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a marketing agency is warning retailers that a failure to move online is likely to put their business at risk in the future.
Purpose Media is a full-service marketing agency in Derbyshire, offering businesses support with building and maintaining websites, as well as help with their digital marketing efforts. After the ONS announced that high street retail sales have fallen for the fifth consecutive month – a new record – the marketing agency are warning that failure to adapt quickly and move online could leave businesses out in the cold.
The ONS claims that in every pound spent online, 10p goes to department stores with an online presence. In September 2021, online retail sales rose to 28.1% which is significantly higher than the 19.7% figure in February 2020 pre-pandemic.
Director of Economic Statistics for the ONS, Darren Morgan, has commented that stores with an online presence are leading the way: “Despite the lifting of restrictions, in-store retail sales remain subdued, with many consumers still opting to shop online.”
Purpose Media recently helped a number of Derbyshire businesses move online as part of the Chesterfield Digital High Street project.
Funded by Chesterfield Borough Council and delivered by East Midlands Chamber, local businesses can apply to set up a digital presence – supported by grants and expert advice – so they can increase their opportunities to trade online and get their brand noticed. Applications are still open and businesses in the Chesterfield borough area are encouraged to apply now.
Matt Wheatcroft, Managing Director at Purpose Media, said: “Consumers have become heavily reliant on online shopping over the past 18 months and it’s not surprising to see the high street is in a period of continuous decline, especially given the logistical issues currently gripping the country.
“Many shoppers are still cautious about going to the high street, which is why businesses with an online presence are seeing the benefits as we come into a peak time for retail. Our agency has helped many business move online and I can only encourage others to do the same to protect themselves longer-term.
“This Christmas period is going to be make or break for so many high street businesses and those without an online presence face a battle to compete with online retailers who can deliver on convenience.”
Sills & Betteridge appoints leading tax and agriculture lawyer to handle affairs of rural business clients
Respected private client lawyer, David Wood, has joined Sills & Betteridge as a partner. David’s practice includes advising business owners and high net worth individuals in relation to inheritance tax, capital gains tax, wills, trusts, succession and business planning, with particular niche expertise in advising farmers, and landed estates. The hire supports the firm’s ambition for further growth across the region, and underlines its ethos to provide a first class, cross – discipline service to its commercial and high net worth private and farming clients. Commenting on David’s appointment, Richard Bussell says: “David joins us with some 27 years’ experience and an outstanding reputation with clients and fellow professionals alike. “He is known for reliably achieving his clients’ goals with an enviable blend of in-depth specialist knowledge, proven ability to solve complex issues and an extremely personable approach. He makes a very valuable addition to the firm’s existing private and commercial services.” David says: “I am delighted to have joined Sills & Betteridge, having seen the firm’s successful growth and strategic delivery for many years now. There is already an incredibly strong offering here at Sills & Betteridge to agriculture, landed estates, rural enterprises and businesses across the region. “I look forward to supporting further growth across the firm with my specialist expertise and very loyal client and professional contact base as well as by transferring my legal and commercial knowledge to some of the hugely talented young lawyers in the firm, who are inspirational to work with.” David has been consistently recognised for both his tax and private client work and his Landed Estates and Agriculture work in the Legal 500, Chambers and Chambers High Net Worth publications. He was the Under Sheriff for Lincolnshire for 3 years from 2016 to 2019. David has a nationwide client base and will work primarily in Lincolnshire. He will also assist with the development of the firm’s offices in the neighbouring counties of Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire. The firm has grown significantly over the last 5 years through organic and acquired growth, and now has 15 offices and over 300 partners and staff.
Plans approved for £20m industrial development in Wigston
Developer Chancerygate has secured planning to build 127,975 sq ft of light industrial and warehousing space in Wigston, near Leicester, which it anticipates could create hundreds of new local jobs.
Work is expected to start on the speculative development, named ‘Genesis Park’, at the end of November. The scheme will comprise 15 freehold and leasehold units ranging in size from 4,785 sq ft to 18,510 sq ft.
The scheme has a projected gross development value of around £20m and the construction contract has been awarded to Halesowen-based contractor A&H Construction.
The 5.4-acre development site is located close to the existing Tesco Superstore, Lidl and Wickes in Wigston, 5.2 miles south of Leicester city centre with good access to the M1 and M69.
Chancerygate acquired the site from a private vendor for £3m. It was previously home to Food Hub Leicester’s main facility until it was demolished in 2018.
Mark Garrity, development director and head of Chancerygate’s Birmingham office, said: “Genesis Park is a prime site in South Wigston’s well-established industrial area. With planning now approved we’re looking forward to A&H Construction starting work to help us deliver high-quality light industrial and warehousing space to the region.
“With excellent transports links, and close proximity to Leicester city centre, Genesis Park will fill a gap in the local market for warehousing space and has the potential to create hundreds of new jobs. In particular, we know there are an increasing number of businesses looking to invest in their logistics operations to help meet rising demand for rapid last mile delivery.”
Future of Grimsby’s St James House may be secured with business hub plans
A vital step in the transformation of St James Square has been taken, paving the way for further investment from local company the E-Factor supported by Central Government grant funding.
North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet has approved a business case to renovate the redundant St James House into a business hub. Whilst not putting any council cash into the scheme, authority approval was needed to enable the release of Government monies.
E-Factor wants to secure a £1.5m slice of Towns Fund money, which has been officially allocated by Central Government for town centre improvements. This money, which must be spent on urban renewal and regeneration projects, will be supplemented by significant private E-Factor investment.
The move provides a major boost for the Square and follows directly on from work that has already been carried out.
North East Lincolnshire Council leader, Cllr Philip Jackson, said: “St James House has been run down for many years, and with the success of the Wilkin Chapman building on Cartergate and the redevelopment of St James Square, a key heritage asset in the town, the next step was to deal with the redundant building in a way that can increase footfall in the town centre and provide benefit to other local businesses.
“I’m delighted E-Factor has put forward these proposals, which bring a new dimension to St James Square, a fantastic heritage asset in our town centre. We are extremely pleased to support this scheme.”
Mark Webb, MD of E-Factor, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that our investment proposals have been received so well. We recognise that this building has been empty and deteriorating for over a decade and with our investment, supported by the Towns Fund, we are confident we can bring it back to life.
“We’re planning to purchase and redevelop the building to provide quality business accommodation for a variety of local businesses and entrepreneurs, there will also be space for small business events/exhibitions as well as workshops to support local business people.
“As an independent ‘not for profit’ ltd company, dedicated to supporting the huge contribution local business owners make to this town, E-Factor will once again be providing wrap around business support, easy in easy out terms and all the guidance we can give to help create and grow successful local businesses. The more people who do business in the town centre, the better it will be for shops and restaurants also located there.”
E-Factor Group Ltd (E-Factor), have been both developing and managing a portfolio of commercial properties around North East Lincolnshire for more than 12 years.
SureScreen founder to receive Honorary Doctorate
SureScreen founder, Jim Campbell OBE, is to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Derby.
As a forensic scientist working on murders and arson as well as troubleshooting for engineering companies, he is regarded as a leading authority on drug and alcohol screening, drug assault cases and medical diagnostics.
He also wrote the Government’s specification for electronic curfew monitoring, helped companies develop their tagging products and has actively supported government as an expert in its implementation for around twenty years.
In 1996, he applied his expertise in toxicology to launch SureScreen Diagnostics which has since developed many diagnostic products that identify a medical problem which can then be treated correctly and without delay.
The Derby company, now managed by his three sons, employs several hundred staff manufacturing lateral flow rapid tests.
As well as selling products in over 50 countries, SureScreen has been a key partner to the British Government in supplying tens of millions of Covid tests to support the UK test and trace initiative in bringing this pandemic under control.
Jim attended Derby Technical College in the late 1960’s before it became The University of Derby, and has fond memories of his time at Kedleston Road. The university recognises the positive impact Jim and his work has had in the region and beyond.
He said: “I am immensely proud to be chosen for an honorary doctorate.
“My time at Kedleston Road inspired me to develop a scientific career and was the perfect springboard for future achievements. They would not have been possible without this educational foundation.
“I have a good relationship with The University of Derby and have been one of its industrial advisers for several years.
“I always do what I can to sing the praises of Derby graduates to others, and have been instrumental in employing several in our own business.”
Professor Kathryn Mitchell DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “Our honorands provide inspiration for the thousands of our graduating students who are about to embark on their careers or further academic study.”
Yü Group handed customers of bust energy supplier
Nottingham’s Yü Group, the independent supplier of gas, electricity and water to the UK corporate sector, has been appointed by Ofgem as Supplier of Last Resort (SOLR) for Ampoweruk Ltd (Ampower) and agreed to take on their electricity and gas customer book from Sunday 7 November.
Ampower supplied 8,158 predominantly electricity business sites, increasing the group’s meter portfolio by 38%. Group revenues are forecasted to immediately increase by over £7.5 million per month. Earnings will be enhanced immediately.
Under Ofgem’s SOLR process, business customers transfer to a new supplier on a flexible, “deemed”, basis with a variable tariff reflective of current market conditions. Yü Group said it is “confident in its ability to retain a significant proportion of the Ampower business customer book, leading to substantial increase in forward contracted revenue.”
Ampower ceased trading on 6 November 2021.
Bobby Kalar, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “I’m very pleased to have been awarded the Ampower customer book. In recognition of our strong systems and experienced team these customers have already been migrated onto our scalable operating platform seamlessly over the weekend with negligible impact on resource or capacity.
“Our experience and track record means we are confident the customer transition will be seamless, quick and well communicated.
“Our robust hedging strategy and strength of balance sheet are underpinned by a proven business model and a solid and scalable platform. This gives the Board confidence that we are well positioned to deliver a good blended mix of both organic and inorganic growth and we are proud to be in a strong position to allow us to play a part in supporting the industry.
“We remain well disciplined, selective and focussed on achieving good profitable growth. I would like to thank my team for their phenomenal performance and unwavering support.”
Call for action as the fragile road to recovery causes small business confidence to decline significantly in the East Midlands
Confidence amongst small firms in the East Midlands has fallen significantly, according to the latest survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
The business group’s quarterly Small Business Index shows confidence has fallen to 0 per cent in the region for Q3, following a strong start to 2021, with both Q1 and Q2 confidence indexes at 50 per cent.
This fall in confidence is the first time a more negative sentiment has begun to creep back into the region, where close to a third of small businesses are now less confident about their prospects in the coming months (a sharp increase of 19% vs. Q2).
While most regions in the UK have seen a decline in confidence, particularly compared to the same time last year, positivity in the East Midlands has dropped below other UK counterparts, with London (38%) the most confident and the East of England most pessimistic (-1%). The UK average for Q3 is 16 per cent.
During the quarter, one in ten small firms (11%) had reduced their staffing numbers, and six per cent increased theirs. At the end of Q2, only four per cent had anticipated cutting staff levels.
However, wage growth in the East Midlands remains fairly stable as almost half of small firms in the region (48%) increased the average salary awarded across their business over the last 12 months, with 43 per cent increasing wages by two per cent or more. This represents only a slight fall from the amount of businesses increasing salaries in Q2, where 52% reported wage growth.
A drop in confidence also appears to be hampering growth intentions. The survey shows 38 per cent of small businesses in the East Midlands said that their growth aspirations in the next 12 months were to grow either rapidly (increase turnover/sales by over 20%) or moderately (up to 20%). This represents a significant fall from Q2 where 58% reported aspirations to grow their company.
The coming winter months and beyond look tough for businesses with many citing the domestic economy (59%), consumer demands (48%) and access to appropriately skilled staff (30%) as the greatest perceived barriers to growth over the next 12 months.
Nationally, Treasury’s plans to increase Class IV and Employer NICs as well as dividend taxation by 1.25 percentage points in the Spring will add inflationary pressures, causing firms to put the brakes on hiring and discourage investment, the research finds.
Clare Elsby, FSB’s East Midlands Policy Representative, said: “This quarter’s Small Business Index (SBI) is a stark reminder the road to recovery is a fragile one and that small businesses in the East Midlands are still facing significant challenges.
“A startling drop from steady confidence levels in Q1 and Q2, that were well above the national average, to levels far below it must be taken as a warning that regional investment and strong local leadership are of utmost importance.
“As an organisation we voiced our concerns that the removal of some of the support measures brought in to hold off the worst effects of the pandemic on businesses would be tough for many to navigate and potentially present a dangerous moment.
“Unfortunately, this seems to be the case and was made worse by rising Covid-19 cases, the pingdemic and consumer demand not bouncing back as quickly as predicted.
“Here at FSB we have made a commitment to work hard with our members and stakeholders to understand why our region, more than others, has faced such a dent in confidence. I would ask that all our valuable partners work with us to unravel the localised barriers that our small businesses face.”
East Midlands business activity growth quickens in October
The headline NatWest East Midlands Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 52.6 in October, up slightly from 52.4 in September, to signal a modest expansion in business activity across the East Midlands private sector.
The upturn in output was attributed to greater new order inflows and stronger demand. The rate of growth was slower than the UK average, however, and was the third-softest of the 12 monitored UK areas (quicker than only the North East and Northern Ireland).
Private sector firms in the East Midlands signalled a quicker upturn in new business during October. The rate of growth accelerated to the fastest for three months and was sharper than the series trend. The pace of increase was, however, slower than the UK average. In fact, of the 11 monitored UK areas that registered growth, the East Midlands recorded the second-slowest upturn (quicker than only the North East).
October data signalled broadly upbeat expectations regarding the outlook for output over the coming year among East Midlands private sector firms. Optimism was often linked to hopes of a pick-up in client demand and an end to COVID-19 uncertainty. That said, the degree of confidence dropped to the lowest since January as firms noted concerns regarding supply chain issues and material shortages.
Private sector firms in the East Midlands signalled a strong expansion in workforce numbers at the start of the fourth quarter. Where an increase in staffing numbers was recorded, firms linked this to faster new order growth and greater business requirements. The rate of job creation was the fastest for four months but was among the slowest of the 12 monitored UK areas.
The level of outstanding business across the East Midlands private sector rose steeply in October, with the rate of expansion reaching a fresh series record. The pace of increase was quicker than that seen across the UK as a whole. Companies stated that backlogs of work were driven up by solid sales growth and severe supply chain disruption which exacerbated pressure on capacity further.
Companies in the East Midlands registered the fastest increase in cost burdens since data collection began in January 1997 at the start of the fourth quarter. The rise in input prices was commonly attributed to severe raw material shortages, higher transportation surcharges and increased wage bills. The rate of cost inflation was quicker than the UK average.
In line with the trend for input costs, East Midlands private sector firms indicated the steepest rise in output charges in the series history. The increase in output prices was also faster than that seen across the UK as a whole. Anecdotal evidence suggested the uptick in charges was due to the pass-through of higher costs to clients.
John Maude, NatWest Midlands & East Regional Board, said: “October data signalled a stronger upturn in business activity across the East Midlands private sector, as greater client demand spurred a faster rise in new orders.
“Pressure on capacity led firms to expand their workforce numbers at a sharper pace, however ongoing material shortages resulted in a continuous record rise in backlogs of work. Severe supplier delays and uncertainty regarding rising COVID-19 cases hampered business confidence, which dipped to the lowest since January.
“At the same time, supply chain disruptions and labour shortages pushed up cost burdens to the greatest extent in almost 25 years of data collection. Firms were able to partially pass-through higher costs to clients, as charges rose at the sharpest pace on record.”
Derby’s Light Science Technologies secures contract worth £13.8m
Derby-based Light Science Technologies, the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) technology and contract electronics manufacturing (CEM) group, has secured a contract with Zenith Nurseries with a total potential value of up to £13.84 million.
The project involves a consortium (Light Science Technologies Ltd, Zenith Nurseries and Morrish Engineering Limited) developing a cloche lighting and sensor technology system.
This product seeks to bring lighting and sensor technology to the controlled environment technology market for growers in polytunnel and glasshouse environments. The solution is intended to extend the use of the company’s nurturGROW Sensor to new market applications, such as agriculture fields.
The cloche lighting and sensor technology system is expected to be the first retrofittable, all-in-one lighting-sensing-automation rig providing year-round harvests for the grower across multiple plant varieties.
With an initial potential UK market of 4,000 industrial growers, producing over 300 types of field-scale and protected vegetable and salad crops, and tree and berry fruits, the solution will aim to improve productivity by increasing yields.
It will look to help growers by providing a possible solution to labour shortages and reduce the need for import substitution by extending the harvest window.
Meanwhile the UK Circuits and Electronics division has received new orders from Rentokil Initial plc totalling £580,900 which are expected to be delivered through the first half of FY 2022.
The forward order book for UK Circuits and Electronics Ltd currently stands at approximately £5 million.
Simon Deacon, CEO of Light Science Technologies Holdings plc, said: “The development of the LED grow lighting cloche/rig solution is an exciting progression in our product portfolio.
“We are delighted to be working with growers in the development of tailored supplementary hybrid lighting (LED and natural light) system providing targeted, actionable data insights of the nine cardinals of plant life and soil health, based upon the data collected.
“We already have good levels of visibility across both our divisions which provides a solid platform for growth. Importantly, we have a growing number of routes to increased commercialisation and believe that we are well placed to scale up rapidly.”
BHP investing in ‘partners of the future’ with 34 new trainees
Yorkshire and North Derbyshire’s leading accountancy firm, BHP, has welcomed 34 new starters this month.
A total of 20 graduates, 11 trainees and three placements have been appointed across offices in Sheffield, Leeds, York, Cleckheaton and Chesterfield.
This is the third year in a row where BHP has welcomed more than 30 grassroots trainees and the new starters will be joining all departments of the business including Tax, Corporate Finance, Audit and Financial Planning.
Lisa Leighton, Joint Managing Partner at BHP, said: “At BHP we have a real focus on training, mentoring, qualifications and career progression.
“The last 18 months have been challenging for young people in a number of ways, and we want to offer stand-out career opportunities in a happy, inspiring workplace.
“We’re very proud of our yearly intake of new starters – it’s an opportunity for us to support young people and our local economy but also inject fresh enthusiasm and ideas into our business.
“This signifies our long-term commitment to bringing through our own partners of the future and it is one of the most exciting parts of the year, we can’t wait to get to know everyone.”
The intake this year sees two graduates join BHP’s tax team. This follows the recent appointment of Carla Horsfall as a Director in the team.
Zoe Roberts, Tax Partner at BHP, said: “This year has been really busy for the tax team and we’re projecting more growth over the coming months. We’re very proud of the level of specialist expertise and depth of knowledge in the team, and we’re so excited to welcome two bright, enthusiastic new graduates who will be able to learn quickly and progress.”
Tax Trainee Rebecca Nundy added: “Joining BHP represents a completely new challenge for me in my career. Since joining a few weeks ago, everyone has been so welcoming, and I am excited for the new journey ahead. I believe BHP will be a great environment for my personal and professional development, allowing me to build on the accounting knowledge I have gained to date and also providing many new opportunities along the way.”
BHP has been ranked the second-best accountancy firm to work for in the UK, and the 35th best company to work for across Yorkshire and the Humber in the Best Companies survey 2021.
The independent accountancy firm is made up of over 400 professionals working across a wide range of specialities including audit and assurance, consulting, corporate finance and taxation.
