Wavensmere sells £11.6m of off-plan houses in Derby – over two years before completion
East Midlands business confidence hits 2025 high
Phase one completes at Castle Donington business park
Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, revealed as keynote speaker for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
- Contractor of the Year
- Developer of the Year
- Architects of the Year
- Most Active Agent
- Deal of the Year
- Residential Development of the Year
- Sustainable Development of the Year
- Commercial Development of the Year
- Excellence in Design
- Responsible Business of the Year
- Overall Winner
Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.
Supporting imagery, video, documents, or links to these, can be sent to bricks@blmgroup.co.uk. Video nomination pitches are also welcome as an alternative or companion to written entries.
To be held at:
With a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remaining, please contact Angie Cooper at a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk to learn more if you are interested in becoming an East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 sponsor. Nottinghamshire NHS lands £2.6m to upgrade hospital infrastructure
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has secured £2.6 million in government funding to address high-risk maintenance issues and modernise critical hospital infrastructure across five of its sites.
The funding, drawn from the Government’s Critical Infrastructure Risk (CIR) capital programme, will go towards essential upgrades at Rampton Hospital, Wathwood Hospital, Arnold Lodge Hospital, The Wells Road Centre, and Thorneywood Mount. All five facilities are specialist mental health hospitals, providing varying levels of secure care to patients across the Midlands and South Yorkshire.
Work will focus on replacing or upgrading ageing systems tied to fire safety, water and energy infrastructure, and electrical networks. At Rampton, a full-scale overhaul of fire alarms and suppression systems is planned. At The Wells Road Centre, the outdated mechanical plant will be replaced to improve reliability and energy performance. Arnold Lodge will see major improvements to its electrical and energy systems, contributing to the Trust’s wider Net Zero targets.
The projects are part of the Trust’s long-term Estates Strategy and Green Plan, which aims to create safer, greener, and more resilient healthcare environments. Works begin this summer and will be phased through to spring 2026 to minimise disruption to services.
Ambulance upgrade targets faster emergency response in East Midlands
Thirty new ambulances will be rolled out across the East Midlands to replace ageing vehicles, backed by £4.7 million in government funding. The investment forms part of a wider £450 million package aimed at modernising emergency care services across England.
The East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), which currently operates a fleet of over 800 vehicles, is expected to receive the new units by March 2026. The vehicles will support the government’s Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26, a strategy designed to reduce pressure on emergency departments by streamlining frontline response capacity.
The wider plan involves phasing out nearly 500 older ambulances nationwide to improve response times and reliability.
EMAS’s current vehicle mix includes emergency ambulances, rapid response cars, community responder units, and patient transport vehicles, positioning the trust as a major buyer and operator within the region’s emergency care infrastructure.
Local councils seek business backing for foster care campaign
Businesses across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are being asked to support a joint initiative aimed at boosting local authority foster care in the East Midlands.
The Foster for East Midlands Councils campaign, launched in March 2024, is a collaborative effort between Derby City, Derbyshire County, Nottingham City, and Nottinghamshire County Councils. Its goal is to increase the number of foster carers and improve support for existing ones through coordinated regional outreach.
As part of its business engagement strategy, the campaign will host two breakfast networking events in June to introduce the initiative to local employers. These events will provide information on how companies can get involved and share insights from current foster carers. Sessions are scheduled for 19 June at Pride Park Stadium in Derby and 25 June at Notts County Football Club in Nottingham.
Beyond attending events, businesses are encouraged to support the campaign by promoting fostering across internal communications channels, offering space for events, or providing discounts to foster families. Companies can also gain recognition by becoming Fostering Friendly employers through The Fostering Network’s national scheme, with support provided to implement the necessary workplace policies.
The councils emphasise the role businesses can play in raising awareness and creating a supportive environment for children in care. Interested organisations can contact the campaign team via phone or visit the website for further details on partnerships and event bookings.
£2m council-backed investment brings H&M to new Grosvenor Centre site
H&M has relocated to a new unit in Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre, supported by a £2 million loan from West Northamptonshire Council. The funding is part of a broader local initiative to revitalise the town centre and attract higher foot traffic through improved retail and commercial offerings.
This investment forms one of two council-backed loans aimed at enhancing the shopping centre’s appeal and functionality. The second, worth £1 million, is earmarked for developing flexible workspaces within the centre to accommodate demand for hybrid and remote working environments. Both measures are part of the council’s strategic push to stimulate economic activity in central Northampton by supporting commercial tenants and enhancing business infrastructure.
H&M’s move from its former site on Abington Street aligns with the council’s efforts to modernise retail space and attract major high street names back to the area. The Grosvenor Centre’s management has highlighted the reopening as a significant boost to its tenant mix and overall commercial offering.
The dual investment in retail and workspace reflects a trend in urban commercial redevelopment, combining experiential shopping with flexible working to future-proof town centres.
Apprenticeship events support Chesterfield’s future workforce
Chesterfield Borough Council is strengthening its business talent pipeline by connecting school leavers with local employers through a series of Apprenticeship and T Level information events. The initiative targets sectors with strong regional demand, including construction, manufacturing, engineering, and health and social care.
These events, delivered in partnership with the East Midlands Combined County Authority Careers Hub, the ASK programme, and a network of local firms, aim to bridge the gap between education and employment. Outcomes from this academic year already include student enrolment at Chesterfield College’s Construction Skills Hub and new apprenticeship hires.
Employers participating in the events include Frank Shaw Associates, Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Stepnell, United Cast Bar, MSE Hiller, and regional universities. The initiative is part of the UK’s first designated ‘Apprentice Town’, a place-based strategy where apprenticeships form a core part of economic development.
There are currently around 60 apprenticeship opportunities available within a 10-mile radius of Chesterfield, according to the national Find an Apprenticeship service. The next council-run information event is scheduled for October.
By focusing on vocational routes and promoting direct employer engagement, Chesterfield is positioning its young talent as a solution to local skills shortages and long-term business growth.
Derby-based PfP Thrive unites 26 industry leaders to tackle housing sector skills shortage
Chief financial officer steps down at Marks Electrical Group
The chief financial officer at Marks Electrical Group, the Leicester-based online electrical retailer, is set to leave the company to take up a new role as chief financial officer of Roadchef.
Marks Electrical is now commencing a process to appoint a successor. Josh Egan, who remains a director of the company, will continue to fulfil his current role, which will include supporting the business through its preliminary results in June and facilitating a smooth transition.
Mark Smithson, CEO of Marks Electrical, said: “Josh has made a great contribution to the transformation of Marks Electrical, bringing professionalism and rigour to the finance function and through wider support across the business. Our financial controls, reporting and financial discipline are in a far stronger place than when he arrived.
“Under his guidance, we have improved our financial and operational capabilities, creating a strong platform for our future success. He has been a great colleague, and we thank him for his efforts at Marks Electrical and wish him well in his new role.”
Josh Egan, CFO of Marks Electrical, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Mark and the team, as we transitioned from a successful family-owned business to a publicly traded company. It’s never an easy decision to leave a great business, especially with the progress we have made over the last few years.
“However, the opportunity has arisen for me to take on an exciting new challenge. I leave Marks Electrical in a good position and have every confidence that the business will continue to flourish, as it executes on its strategy of driving profitable market share gains to become the UK’s leading premium electrical retailer.”
PR agency joins creative community in Northampton
Airport fleet switches to renewable fuel in East Midlands
East Midlands Airport has transitioned over 60 of its operational vehicles to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biodiesel, cutting their carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional diesel. The switch includes airfield operations vehicles, fire engines, snow ploughs, and other ground support units.
The move aligns with Manchester Airports Group’s (MAG) five-year sustainability strategy, which aims for net zero operations across its airports, including Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands- by 2038.
Supplied by YourNRG, the HVO fuel is derived from waste vegetable oils and fats. It undergoes hydrogen treatment to create a clean-burning, biodegradable fuel that also significantly reduces particulate emissions.
East Midlands Airport has been carbon neutral since 2012 and was the first UK airport to achieve certification from the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme. Alongside the new fuel switch, the site uses 100% renewable electricity, has installed commercial-grade wind turbines, and diverts all waste from landfill. Additional upgrades include electric ambulifts for passengers with reduced mobility and expanded electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for airside vehicles.
The fuel conversion reflects growing momentum among UK infrastructure and transport hubs to decarbonise operations with scalable, low-carbon technologies.
East Midlands manufacturers urged to accelerate digital adoption
Manufacturers in the East Midlands are being encouraged to capitalise on Made Smarter, a government-backed programme that offers tailored support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to integrate digital technologies into their operations.
The initiative includes up to £20,000 in matched grant funding to help manufacturers automate manual processes, improve stock control, or enhance production planning through the use of technology. Beyond funding, the programme provides access to digital experts, personalised change roadmaps, leadership and skills development, and fully funded internships pairing manufacturers with students or graduates to explore digital projects without long-term commitments.
The support aims to improve productivity, reduce costs, and increase resilience for regional manufacturers, many of whom are under pressure to modernise in the face of economic uncertainty and global competition.
With limited places available and time-sensitive funding, businesses are being encouraged to assess their digital readiness and act now to secure support. The Made Smarter programme has already demonstrated results in other regions, where participants report improved efficiency, faster innovation, and greater confidence in deploying new technologies.
Side-hustle support programme targets UK’s next wave of entrepreneurs
Small Business Britain and eBay have launched a free six-week digital skills programme designed to help UK side-hustlers formalise and scale their ventures into full-time businesses.
The initiative, called the Side-Hustle Lab, launched on June 4 and will support up to 500 early-stage entrepreneurs. It includes online modules on launching and growing a business, managing time and finances, selling through platforms like eBay, customer service, and sustainability.
The programme responds to a five-year decline in UK small business numbers, which fell from 6 million in 2020 to 5.45 million in 2024. Despite the downturn, new research suggests side-hustling is now the most common entry point into entrepreneurship, accounting for 39% of small business launches. Nearly half of those eventually become full-time operations.
Participants will receive guidance from industry experts and gain access to a peer network of fellow entrepreneurs. The training also focuses on e-commerce, digital marketing, and artificial intelligence, areas of increasing relevance in today’s small business landscape.
The move is part of a broader call for more tailored support for micro-enterprises and emerging founders, particularly those launching businesses alongside other work.
Funding support sees Leicester manufacturer gear up for global growth
See Limited ramps up hiring to support built environment growth
Northamptonshire-based See Limited is expanding its workforce as part of its ongoing growth in the UK’s built environment sector. The company is currently recruiting for two new positions within its panel fabrication division, Bousfields, based in Corby.
The recruitment drive includes roles for a Production Support Specialist and a Sales Account Executive. The former will be responsible for managing the flow of materials to support production and delivery targets. At the same time, the latter will play a key role in driving commercial performance and client relationships.
This follows recent internal promotions and continued investment in operational leadership, as See Limited positions Bousfields for greater commercial output and market share. Bousfields, a long-established name in panel fabrication since 1949, is a core part of See Limited’s offering and central to its wider growth strategy.
Targeting candidates seeking long-term progression within the built environment industry, See Limited aims to strengthen its in-house capabilities and support its ongoing expansion in one of the UK’s largest economic sectors.
New CEO for Space Park Leicester
Revenue and profit dip at Dr. Martens as its sets out ‘Levers For Growth’
According to preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 30 March 2025, group revenue was down 8% at £787.6m, against a challenging macroeconomic and consumer backdrop in several of the firm’s core markets. Meanwhile, adjusted profit before tax dropped to £34.1m from £97.2m.
The company, however, highlighted its “strong delivery” against its FY25 objectives, which are guiding towards a return to profit growth in FY26.
The year saw Dr. Martens return its direct-to-consumer channel in the Americas back to growth, its marketing approach reset to focus on product, £25m of annualised cost savings delivered, and the business’s balance sheet strengthened ahead of target. Ije Nwokorie, CEO, said: “Our single focus in FY25 was to bring stability back to Dr. Martens. We have achieved this by returning our direct-to-consumer channel in the Americas back to growth, resetting our marketing approach to focus relentlessly on our products, delivering cost savings, and significantly strengthening our balance sheet.“We are today sharing our Levers For Growth, which will increase our opportunities by shifting the business from a channel-first to a consumer-first mindset.
“We will give more people more reasons to buy more of our products, whether that’s our iconic boots and shoes, newer product families such as Zebzag and Buzz, or adjacent categories such as sandals, bags and leather goods. And we will tailor distribution to each market, blending DTC and B2B, optimising brand reach and ensuring a better use of capital.
“I am laser-focused on day-to-day execution, managing costs and maintaining our operational discipline while we navigate the current macroeconomic uncertainties. Looking ahead, there are significant markets for us to grow into, and we currently own just 0.7% of a total relevant market of £179bn.
“This, combined with the enduring demand for our products, the robustness of our operations, the strength of our cashflow generation and balance sheet and the expertise of our people, gives me confidence that we will deliver the sustainable, profitable growth that this brand is capable of.”
SMEs driving green growth but face barriers to scale
A new report from the government-backed Willow Review has found that UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are embracing sustainability are already seeing measurable business benefits, including cost savings, new customer acquisition, and improved customer loyalty. However, the report warns that persistent barriers are hindering wider adoption, thereby threatening the UK’s green growth potential.
With SMEs representing 99% of UK businesses and accounting for around half of all business-related carbon emissions, their role in achieving national climate targets is crucial. The Review surveyed 425 small businesses and found that 67% of those implementing sustainability practices reduced operational costs, 52% gained new customers, and 33% improved customer loyalty. Many reported using sustainable materials, cutting waste, limiting travel, and sourcing from greener supply chains.
Despite these advantages, many SMEs struggle to take action due to upfront costs, time constraints, and difficulty accessing financial or advisory support. To address this, the Willow Review issued 14 recommendations across three key areas: simplifying sustainability guidance, expanding access to finance, and creating a more supportive policy environment.
The report calls for clearer signposting to existing funding options, the creation of tailored ‘Green-Up Loans’, and reforms to government schemes like the Growth Guarantee Scheme to support green investments. It also urges integration of sustainability into core services such as the Business Growth Service, alongside incentives for landlords to improve energy efficiency in SME premises.
