Key milestones in transformation of Derby’s Cultural Heart reordered following questions raised in scrutiny process
Key milestones in the transformation of Derby’s Cultural Heart have been reordered following questions raised through the scrutiny process.
Following feedback that was received through the Council’s scrutiny process, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Nadine Peatfield, with the support of her Cabinet, has taken the decision to reorder the redevelopment of the site.
In early 2024, a new vision for the site of the former Assembly Rooms and adjoining multi-storey car park was shared, and it was announced that the demolition would begin this autumn.
The Council’s Regeneration Scrutiny Board was in favour of the demolition of the existing building and the proposals for the new scheme, however some questions were raised around the length of time the site would be vacant and when funding for the scheme would be confirmed.
As a result, instead of the Council undertaking demolition this autumn followed by the site standing vacant for a short time, milestones have now been reordered which will mean that demolition and construction of the new site will take place consecutively.
The Council will continue to work closely with its preferred strategic development partners, VINCI UK Developments and ION Developments, to progress the masterplan and business plan for the future of the site, ahead of a planning application.
These changes will not affect the overall strategic programme for redevelopment and enabling works to prepare the site for demolition and redevelopment will continue as planned.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said: “The purpose of a scrutiny board is to analyse and question the decision making of the administration.
“As the Leader of this minority administration, it’s essential that I listen and take time to consider the questions posed by our opposition. Resequencing our plans is the responsible thing to do and supports the pledge this Cabinet made to leading responsibly and maintaining stability.
“We’ll continue to work with our development partners to ensure that the new scheme will follow on seamlessly from the demolition of the existing building.
“The city’s cultural offer has also changed significantly since we announced plans to begin demolition back in March. This means that it’s more important than ever to ensure that we work with our partners, VINCI UK Developments and Ion Property Developments, to refine and perfect our plans for the city’s new cultural heart.
“I understand that this may be disconcerting for our residents and partners who are keen to see visible progress, but please be reassured that we’re confident in our proposals for the site and are committed to transforming our city centre into a vibrant and welcoming place with culture at its heart.”
Housebuilder secures land for 114 homes in Market Deeping
Housebuilder Allison Homes East has acquired land in the Lincolnshire town of Market Deeping, where a total of 114 new homes will be built.
The site will be situated off Towngate East and split over two phases, totalling over 10 acres, and form part of Allison Homes East’s existing Beaufort Grange development, which sold out in 2022 in nine months.
The new phases of the development, which will now be called Beaufort Gardens, will provide a total of 114 two, three and four bedroom homes. 74 will be available through open market sale and 40 will be affordable homes.
Allison Homes East will also be providing in excess of £650,000 worth of S106 contributions, which will go towards supporting the existing community and education services.
Construction work on the site is due to commence in January 2025, with the first homes expected to be complete in August 2025.
Sophie Kendal, Land and Partnerships Director at Allison Homes East, said: “We are incredibly proud to have acquired this land in Market Deeping and to be returning to our successful Beaufort Grange development.
“Beaufort Gardens will deliver 114 high-quality homes, as well as a host of new employment and apprenticeship opportunities for local people. We are looking forward to commencing construction work early next year and to welcoming new residents into our already established community.”
Mixed outlook among East Midlands businesses – confidence in profitability grows but spending tightens
Businesses in the East Midlands continue to project to make profit over the next year but are currently investing less in machinery and training, says a study into business experience in the region.
East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey is a key indicator of challenges and opportunities faced by businesses across multiple sectors, highlighting their concerns and the level of confidence they have for the months ahead.
Key takeaways from respondents in East Midlands Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey Q3, 2024:
- 2% growth in the workforce over the last three months
- 1/4 expect their workforce to increase over the next 3 months
- 7/10 had problems recruiting suitable staff over the last 3 months
- Half expect profitability to improve over the next year
- 7/10 expect to keep prices the same over the next three months
- UK Orders increased by 3%, UK Sales decreased by 5% over the last quarter
Inertia Consulting takes 7,000 sq ft at Derby’s Cardinal Square
Nurton Development’s Cardinal Square offices in Derby has landed one of the stand-out deals of this year, with a 7,000 sq ft letting to locally-based Inertia Consulting.
Inertia Consulting, a specialist in civil engineering and structural consultancy, has announced its move to the landmark offices located at the junction of the A61 and A52, to ensure its long-term success in the city.
This relocation aligns with Inertia’s plans for strategic growth, providing an enhanced workspace that enables the company to continue to attract top tier talent, benefiting from Nurton’s on-going investment in the offices, particularly over the past 24 months.
Inertia Consulting, which operates extensively across the UK, offers consultancy services in civil engineering, structural design, bridge inspection, and non-destructive testing to a broad range of clients, including the public and private sectors.
Nurton has invested significantly in creating a high-quality working environment, catering to the needs of modern occupiers with a focus on onsite amenities and wellbeing including open green spaces, outdoor work, rest areas and leisure facilities.
David Dyas, Asset Manager at Nurton Developments, said: “The investment we’ve made to Cardinal Square has been well received by existing occupiers and the wider market. This letting is a direct result of the improvements we have made to the building. Inertia sought quality space to amalgamate their offices and Cardinal Square ticked the box.
“We spent time liaising with Inertia and built an excellent working relationship during what were enjoyable negotiations to ensure the letting met with their requirements.”
David added: “Flexible floorspace at Cardinal Square caters for anything from a single office up to 25,000 sq ft, providing a wealth of options for incoming occupiers whilst also enabling existing occupiers to expand or contract as their business dictates and according to their style of working.
“We are definitely seeing a growing trend amongst businesses to upgrade their space to attract and retain employees, encouraging people back into the office with a working environment which offers that all important work life balance and a stimulating and fun place to collaborate and spend time with colleagues.”
Darran Severn, Director from FHP, agents for Cardinal Square, added: “The 7000 sq ft letting is certainly the largest we’ve done this year in a market which has been mainly dominated by lettings in the 1,500 sq ft to 3,000 sq ft range.”
Ryan Bradley, Director of Inertia Consulting, said: “We were drawn to Cardinal Square not only by the central location and connectivity but also by the office environment, which aligns with our commitment to our team’s well-being. We look forward to continuing our work from these vibrant new offices and benefit from the rich talent pool in the city”
Inertia Consulting joins a growing list of occupiers at Cardinal Square, including Bulkhead, Freeth’s, City Fibre, FTT, Randd, Astute, FHP, Smile Bright, and the NHS.
Property law firm’s Oktoberfest event raises over £5,000 for local charity Nottingham CYF
Nottingham property law firm, Landsmiths, recently hosted an Ocktoberfest event at The Bierkeller, Nottingham raising £5,023 for local charity Nottingham Children, Young People and Their Families Project (Nottingham CYF).
The event, which took place on Thursday 10th October, was supported by a number of local businesses and brought together the Nottingham business community for a night of celebration, networking and fundraising.
Guests enjoyed traditional Bavarian cuisine and drinks, live music, and plenty of festive entertainment. To boost fundraising efforts there was also a charity raffle, which featured prizes donated by a number of local businesses, raising £1,714.
Nottingham CYF is a grassroots charity dedicated to transforming the lives of young people and their families by offering educational and recreational opportunities, mentoring, and crisis support. CYF’s work focuses on Nottingham’s most under-resourced communities, empowering residents to access sustainable opportunities and develop their talents.
Susie Gray from Nottingham CYF said: “Sincerest thank you to everyone who turned up, sponsored the event, bought raffle tickets, donated prizes, helped organise – whatever you did to help, you!
“Landsmiths has been such an amazing firm to work with – generous, thoughtful, kind, compassionate and approaching their work with us with such integrity and respect. A brilliant and progressive company, staffed by a truly amazing group of people.”
Rachael Briggs, Director at Landsmiths, added: “Supporting local charities is at the heart of what we do, and we’re thrilled with the outcome of this year’s Oktoberfest. CYF’s work is truly life-changing, and we are proud to support them in every way we can.”
Vik Moothia, also a Director at Landsmiths, said: “The generosity of the Nottingham business community was overwhelming. We’re so grateful to everyone who attended, sponsored the event, donated raffle prizes, and, of course, to The Bierkeller for donating a portion of the proceeds from each specialty drink sold on the night.”
Sponsors of the evening included AG Corporate Law, A.W.Lymn, Chord Consult, DL Design Studio, Ground Sure, Logical Demolition, Monk Estates, Node Building Consultancy, SIA.
£20m redevelopment of shopping centre gets go ahead
A £20m redevelopment of the Priory Centre to bring an exciting mix of entertainment, leisure, shopping, and dining to Worksop’s Town Centre will become a reality very soon.
The project took a major step forward this week as Bassetlaw District Council’s Planning Committee approved the planning application on Wednesday 16th October, which means that the delivery phase of the development can now begin.
The Council has appointed East Midlands-based G F Tomlinson as its main contractor to take the project forward, which will include building a brand-new section of the Priory Centre, as well as extensively refurbishing other areas of the precinct.
Cllr Julie Leigh, Leader of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “This project is a major development for our town centre and the completed building will be a fantastic attraction for people living in Worksop and beyond.
“I’m delighted that we are now able to start the process of putting spades in the ground and delivering the investment and change that will make our town centre a more attractive place to visit and for businesses to flourish.
“A great deal of hard work has gone in to getting the project to this point and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this so far. I’d also like to welcome G F Tomlinson who will be taking this venture forward and delivering a new complex.”
So that the redevelopment work does not impose on the important trade for businesses in the lead up to Christmas, demolition of part of the Priory Centre is expected to start in the new year, with investigation and non-intrusive work taking place up to this time.
Adrian Grocock, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re pleased to have been appointed to this exciting new scheme, working alongside Bassetlaw District Council to revitalise the Priory Shopping Centre in Worksop and create a modern, multi-use retail and leisure offering for the local community.
“The revamped facility will be a sought-after destination for Worksop and the surrounding region, breathing new life and increasing footfall into the area.”
The redevelopment project is expected to take around 12 months to complete and G F Tomlinson were selected following a competitive tender process via the Pagabo framework.
The project forms part of the Council’s Vision 2040 to invest in its town centres, and by working with partners, improve opportunities for businesses and increase facilities for all residents.
Cllr Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Identity and Place, said: “Town centres across the country, including Worksop, have been in decline for years due to several different factors. The redevelopment of the Priory Centre shifts our reliance on shopping and retail to bring people into Worksop and adds a new dimension and attraction for people of all ages.
“We bought the Priory Centre in 2023 to begin the process of reversing this decline and make the investment that previous owners have been reluctant take on in the current climate.
“We have a clear plan and an ambition to increase the number of people visiting the town centre, which will also support existing businesses. This announcement is just the beginning and I can’t wait to see how this development takes shape over the coming months.”
Some of the new facilities already confirmed for the Priory Centre include a climbing wall and indoor adventure play area, a bowling alley, and a new food court, as well as improved retail areas and an indoor market.
The entertainment and leisure facilities are key to the development’s future success and the Council’s leisure partners BPL are excited to be part of this new phase for Worksop Town Centre.
Michael Hirst, Chief Executive of BPL, said: “BPL are committed to helping Bassetlaw achieve their Vision 2040, and we’re delighted that work can now commence on our innovative family entertainment complex, which we firmly believe will attract people from across the region to this fantastic town centre.”
Marks Electrical Group makes Non-Executive Director appointment
Leicester-based Marks Electrical Group is set to appoint Warren Middleton as Non-Executive Director of the company.
Mr Middleton was previously with KPMG for over 25 years, 17 of which have been as a technology partner. He was KPMG’s Manchester Office senior partner since 2019, overseeing circa 1,500 employees and was heavily involved in the build-out of KPMG’s technology practice.
It is intended that Mr Middleton will also chair the Audit and Risk Committee. The appointment is subject to due diligence checks as required under the AIM Rules.
Furthermore, David Wilkinson has resigned from the Board and as a Non-Executive Director of the company with immediate effect.
Commenting on Warren’s appointment, Marnie Millard, Chair of the Board, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Warren to the Board and look forward to benefiting from his valuable experience advising companies on advancements in their technology agenda. Additionally, we thank David for his support and expertise over the last three years, since IPO.”
Nottingham business messaging solutions firm expands with US acquisition
Commify, the Nottingham-based business messaging solutions firm, has expanded in the US market with the acquisition of Tennessee-based Text Request.
The acquisition is Commify’s 18th since 2013, its second in 2024 under ECI’s backing, and its second in the US market which it entered in 2022.
Text Request, founded in 2014, is a software as a service (SaaS) platform that provides a plug and play texting service including conversational and customer engagement messaging solutions to small and medium sized businesses across the US.
The business has scaled rapidly, growing at 60% per year from 2021 to 2024 to reach approaching $15 million ARR and $20 million total revenue, serving over 7,500 business customers, with a team of 40 based in Chattanooga.
“I’m delighted to be making this major announcement today,” said Richard Hanscott, CEO of Commify. “The US market is an exciting and significant opportunity for Commify.
“Text Request is highly complementary to our existing US business, doubles our scale to well over $30 million revenue and transforms our future position within this market. We can’t wait to get started with the team in Chattanooga to continue to grow together in the years to come.”
“We are proud of Text Request and our team’s accomplishments over the last ten years,” said Text Request co-founder and CEO Brian Elrod. “We’ve hit milestones that very few bootstrapped tech companies achieve, and we’re especially proud of what a tech exit like this means for our local startup community.
“More importantly, Text Request is staying in Chattanooga and will become an integral part of a global messaging leader. Commify aligns perfectly with the Text Request culture and is a great acquirer for continuing our vision. We welcome the Commify team to Chattanooga.”
Paul Burton, Chief Strategy Officer of Commify, added: “We’ve been impressed by the Text Request team for many years so it’s great to finally be joining forces. They’ve scaled up a class-leading platform enabling conversational customer care use cases for businesses of all sizes, taken to market by an experienced local team.
“This is our largest ever acquisition and takes Commify to over 400 team members and approaching €200 million revenue – we are very much open for business for global acquisitions with ECI’s continued backing.”
Text Request was advised by PEAK Technology Partners as exclusive financial advisor and Greenberg Traurig as legal counsel. Commify was advised by Grant Thornton for financial and tax due diligence, EY for tax structuring and Squire Patton Boggs as legal counsel.
Rail industry hub makes official launch in Derby with secretary of state visit
Rail Campus Derby officially launched at a special event on Thursday 17 October. Over 200 delegates and stakeholders from the rail sector and beyond attended the event.
A joint effort between Derby City Council, Great British Railways Transition Team, East Midlands Combined County Authority, and wider stakeholders, Rail Campus Derby will become a key hub for the UK’s rail industry, supporting collaboration across all facets of the sector.
Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh MP, and the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, both attended the event, highlighting the project’s significance both on a regional and a national level.
Rail Campus Derby was born out of Great British Railways’ mission to create a simpler and more efficient railway system for everyone in Britain.
With its impressive rail heritage and position at the heart of Europe’s largest rail cluster, Derby is a prime location for this industry-wide hub. For over 180 years the city has been a leader in the rail sector, which still employs more than 11,000 in the area.
In 2023, Derby was chosen as the new home of Great British Railways, beating fierce competition from five other shortlisted cities from across the UK. Great British Railways Transition Team, a key driver in Rail Campus Derby, have already established a presence in the city while the search for a permanent GBR headquarters continues.
Beyond the railways, Derby is a home to advanced manufacturing, hi-tech employment, major global companies such as Rolls-Royce, and Toyota. The city’s skilled workforce, and its easy accessibility, makes it an attractive destination for investment.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Derby; one that will create more training and jobs for local people, and bring huge opportunities for further regeneration.
“Rail Campus Derby will not only preserve our rail heritage, but will also be a catalyst for future economic growth, bringing together all aspects of the railway industry, attracting more investment, and creating further opportunities for collaboration across the sector.
“I know the potential that Derby has. We already boast an incredibly skilled workforce and are home to major players and an unrivalled rail sector. By working together we can make Rail Campus Derby the beating heart of the UK’s rail network.”
Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh MP, said: “Derby is already a hub for rail with the largest concentration of innovation and expertise in Europe, and today I was delighted to see how the local council plans to expand this even further through a new Rail Campus.
“The railways are at the centre of our plans for change, and I look forward to seeing how the Campus will lead to greater innovation, growth and collaboration, benefitting not only our rail network but the wider economy too.”
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, said: “The new Rail Campus will be a hub of learning and innovation. It will bring together public and private sector organisations in a collaborative environment, working towards faster and more efficient outcomes for all the railway’s stakeholders.
“As the Mayor of the East Midlands, my vision is to ensure that local people have the skills they need to access the well-paid jobs that this industry provides.
“That’s why we will be investing in training programmes and creating new opportunities in partnership with Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire’s educational institutions. We want to see local people—our young people—benefiting from the jobs and careers this project will generate.”
Rufus Boyd, Lead Director of Great British Railways Transition Team, said: “The presence of GBR HQ in Derby is just one component of the Rail Campus Derby vision.
“Today’s event is about driving collaboration between the private sector, the supply chain, local government, and educational partners. Bringing the sector closer together and offering the chance to co-locate, share knowledge, and experience work across different businesses will embed the practices, culture and behaviour Britain’s railway must embody to succeed.
“This is the essence of Rail Campus Derby.”
Council launches new business innovation initiative with universities
Rutland businesses are set to unlock new growth and innovation opportunities, thanks to a partnership with regional universities.
Rutland County Council has launched the new Rutland Innovative Businesses Support (RIBS) project, spearheaded by Loughborough University (LU) on behalf of the Civic Universities Partnership with De Montfort University (DMU) and University of Leicester (UoL). This project is set to bolster the growth of Rutland’s businesses.
The RIBS project leverages the collective strengths of the three universities to offer Rutland-based entrepreneurs and businesses unprecedented access to expertise, innovation support, specialist equipment, and facilities.
With a proven track record of regional, national, and international business support, the universities will assist businesses in scaling through innovation and create collaborative partnerships that benefit the local economy.
271-bed student scheme completes in Nottingham city centre
Unite Students has completed a property in Nottingham city centre geared towards returning 2nd and 3rd year students, as well as postgraduates.
The £34 million development, Bromley Place, on Lower Parliament Street, provides 271 beds and incorporates an existing late-Victorian, three-storey building, preserving the historic features from the original site. The building, a former Argos store, was repaired and repurposed as part of the project, which includes a roof terrace and gym.
Bromley Place has the lowest embodied carbon of any development in the company’s current and recent pipeline. A low-carbon cement substitute – containing a fine powder left over from making iron and steel (ground granulated blast furnace slag) – was used in the build.
Low energy LED lighting and high efficiency heating and cooling systems have also been installed, further improving the environmental performance of Bromley Place. The new property fully adheres to Unite Students’ sustainable construction framework, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon in construction and operation.
This property adds to Unite Students’ Nottingham presence, which includes 705-bed Morriss House, which opened for the start of the 2023/24 academic year.
Tom Brewerton, Group Development Director at Unite Students, said: “We’re delighted to have completed Bromley Place for the 2024/25 academic year. This is a unique property, right in the heart of Nottingham city centre, that has been built especially for returning students and postgraduates, but is suitable for all with its impressive facilities.
“We’re very proud that Bromley Place was built within a 12-month period. It incorporates a late Victorian building and has the lowest embodied carbon of all our new-build properties to date. Along with 705-bed Morriss House, which we opened last year, we are proud of our offerings for Nottingham students.”
Nottingham legal tech company appoints head of operations & team performance
Nottingham-based legal tech company, ReviewSolicitors, has appointed Jack Hickey as head of operations & team performance.
The fast-growing firm, based at Aspect Business Park, currently partners with over 4,000 solicitors, helping them gather and showcase client reviews, ensure transparency and improve service for legal professionals across the UK.
Jack’s appointment marks a significant step in ReviewSolicitors’ ambitious expansion plans, which aims to double its workforce (currently just over 40) over the next two years.
CEO Michael Hanney said: “We are delighted to welcome Jack on board to the leadership team. He brings fresh ideas and experience in the business world to help us on the next stage of our journey.”
Hickey joins the team after three and a half years in national business news and media, where he played a key role in shaping industry discussions and building visibility for both his publications and his clients.
Prior to his media career, Jack was deeply involved in politics, having run for Parliament in Leicester West under Prime Minister Theresa May’s leadership.
Commenting on his new role, Jack said: “Once Michael, Paul, and I spoke, I knew this was an exciting opportunity for the next chapter in my career. The company’s service offerings, coupled with the new SRA guidance, mean they are a crucial partner for solicitors in the UK and I look forward to helping them drive the business forwards.”
Global Academy launches new fire safety qualifications with focus on practical skills
Global Academy, the training division of Global HSE Group, has launched three new fire safety qualifications designed to equip professionals with the practical skills and knowledge needed to ensure fire safety compliance.
Complementing its existing Fire Door Inspection course, each course has 3 days of practical experience and upon completion receive an industry recognised qualification.
The new courses, accredited by the Awarding Body of the Built Environment (ABBE) are nationally recognised and demonstrate Global’s drive for excellence and elevating professional knowledge in the fire safety sector. They include:
- Understanding and Installing Passive Fire Protection
- Understanding, Maintaining and Repairing Fire Doors
- Understanding and Installing Fire Doors
Farmers tell the Chancellor what they need from her first budget
Previous Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered the last Budget in spring, which saw some welcome assurances on agricultural property relief and devolved funding for rural areas, but also faced criticism from the NFU on the removal of tax reliefs for Furnished Holiday Lettings.
New chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver the budget on 30 October after which MPs will spend several days debating the plans before being asked to approve the proposals.
In his letter to the Chancellor NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “It has been reassuring to hear the new government recognise that food security is national security.”
The NFU President said he was heartened to hear the Prime Minister’s words when he delivered a keynote speech at the NFU’s Conference last year, saying that a Labour government would seek a new relationship with the countryside and farming communities on this basis.
“What farmers, growers and the public now need to see are practical policies that deliver on this shared mission,” Tom added.
Local partners celebrate as new homes complete in Holmewood
Representatives from emh group, North East Derbyshire District Council, Homes England and Tanbry Construction recently met to celebrate the opening of Ellen Gardens in Holmewood, North East Derbyshire.
Ellen Gardens is an affordable housing development, providing a mix of shared ownership homes and supported living accommodation. The homes are built on land which formerly housed a disused care provider’s office, which was demolished to make way for the residential development.
Ellen Gardens was designed to maximise the potential of the site while also addressing local housing needs and integrating support services for the community. The site is now home to 7, 2 and 3-bedroomed houses, and a block of 11 supported living apartments and a dedicated care office known as ‘Ellen House’.
Ellen Gardens was delivered by emh through its Strategic Partnership Programme with Homes England, and in partnership with North East Derbyshire District Council who made a financial contribution to the scheme, and development partners Tanbry Construction.
Chan Kataria, Group Chief Executive at emh, said: “It has been fantastic to come together with our partners to celebrate the completion of this wonderful new scheme, which provides much-needed homes to the local community. Thank you to North East Derbyshire District Council for their support on this scheme.
“We are proud of our strong partnerships that enable us to deliver these high-quality new homes to meet the needs of local people. We look forward to welcoming new residents to their homes over the coming weeks.”
Cllr Nigel Barker, Leader of North East Derbyshire District Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see these houses completed, providing high quality, affordable accommodation for our local residents.
“We made a commitment to provide more affordable homes in the district and I am delighted to see this development completed through the fantastic work of our partnership with emh, Homes England and Tanbry Construction.”
Derby law firm establishes new joint venture
A Derby law firm has joined forces with two North East businesses to create a new ‘super estate agency’, to handle every aspect of a home move, plus legal and ancillary services.
Sort Legal, whose head office is in Derby and has a hub in Cardiff, has teamed up with South Shields-based mortgage brokers Hello Mortgage and estate agents, Estatio.
This joint venture will see the launch of a series of main branches and smaller hubs to provide a ‘triple-threat’ of estate agency, mortgage and protection advice, and legal services, from various regional locations and bring employment and apprenticeship opportunities to the local area.
The first new branches have opened in South Shields and Teesside.
Keith Ahmed, Group Managing Director, said: “We are excited to be joining forces with Hello Mortgage and Estatio to create what we believe has the potential to become a powerhouse of the conveyancing sector.
“Offering all three services under one roof offers numerous benefits to our clients – as well as the convenience, offering complementary services can reduce the complexity of buying a property, obtaining a mortgage and handling all legal matters.
“Integrating our services in this way will also lead to improved communication and co-ordination amongst the different departments, reducing delays and speeding up the whole conveyancing process as well as enhancing levels of customer satisfaction.
“We are initially rolling out our new combined branch and hub in the North East, but have plans to expand to other areas in the North in the coming months.”
Local IT company supports charity’s ambitious fundraising target in ‘Row the Atlantic’ event
Independent IT consultancy, 3RS IT Solutions, is helping to put the fun back into fundraising by sponsoring a ‘Row the Atlantic’ event which will see teams of rowers travel the equivalent of 5,836 kilometres over six weeks.
Organised by the Teamwork Trust, a charity which is dedicated to supporting people who are living with learning disabilities, autism and mild mental health issues, three events are scheduled to take place from Monday 14th October-Friday 6th December, covering the Trust’s centres in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough.
As the official sponsor for the Wellingborough event, 3RS IT Solutions has also made a £500 donation towards the Trust’s ambitious fundraising target of £20,000.
“The Teamwork Trust does a huge amount to support people with additional needs in Northamptonshire,” says Leila Souch, director, 3RS IT Solutions.
“Our son Reuben is living with autism and is the inspiration behind the fundraising that we do. So, it’s a real honour to be supporting the Trust who do so much to support people living with autism.”
All funds raised during the event will be used to help empower Teamwork Trust’s service users to set up and run new social enterprises, all of which will be chosen and championed by them.
“Everything we do at Teamwork supports adults with autism, learning disabilities or mental health challenges and the Row the Atlantic event is our most ambitious fundraiser yet,” said Judy Caine, fundraising & volunteering executive at Teamwork Trust.
“Service users, staff, volunteers, and supporters at our centres in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough will take part in the rowing.
“We’re delighted to have 3RS IT Solutions as our Wellingborough sponsor and their donation of £500 is very generous. To help reach our target distance, we welcome fellow businesses and those in the community to show their support by registering to row. Together we can really make a difference.”
A celebratory event for all supporters will be held at the close of the event, with prizes given for teams who row the furthest.
If you are interested in rowing for Teamwork Trust, visit www.teamworktrust.co.uk
Professional services group welcomes 11 new hires in Nottingham
Professional services group Gateley has made 11 hires across its legal and consultancy businesses in Nottingham.
The appointments include newly qualified lawyers Alice Martin who has joined the construction team and Jessica Snape who will be based in the corporate team.
They are accompanied by legal trainees Beth Eady, Megan Holland and Symra Khan along with Charlize-Li Clarke who is joining as a graduate solicitor apprentice – the first for the Nottingham office. Over the next two years, they will rotate through four six-month seats across a number of specialist practice areas.
These latest hires are part of 22 newly qualified solicitor and 27 legal trainee appointments recently made by Gateley Legal across its UK offices.
In addition Adamson Jones, Gateley’s dedicated patent and trade mark practice, has recruited Michael Constant as a trainee trademark attorney and William Handley as a trainee patent attorney while Gateley Smithers Purslow (GSP), the multi-disciplinary surveying, engineering and architecture consultancy arm of Gateley, has appointed Georgia Buttress as a graduate building surveyor, Louis Brown as a graduate engineer and building surveying apprentice Chloe Smith.
Gateley Nottingham now has a 149 strong team after Gateley RJA, the chartered quantity surveying consultancy, relocated its West Bridgford-based team to Park View House in September this year.
Andrew Macmillan, partner and head of the Nottingham office, said: “I am excited to welcome these latest arrivals to our growing Nottingham office. They are a testament to our stellar training and development programme and demonstrates our continued investment in Nottingham and ambitious plans to grow all areas of the business.”
Engineering company raises £18,500 for hospice in memory of much-loved colleague
An engineering company which tragically lost one of their colleagues to cancer has raised £18,500 in his memory for Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
T&W Civil Engineering in Northampton dedicated their 2024 annual golf day to their friend Jamie Collins, who spent his final days at the hospice last year.
Jamie worked at T&W Civil Engineering for 14 years and was very highly regarded amongst his peers, who dug deep to collect cash in his name.
A total of 80 golfers took part in the event at Collingtree Golf Club, which included the golf contest, hole sponsorship, a raffle, a small auction, a DJ and a bottle bonanza on the putting green.
Adam Burchnall, finance director, said: “Having lost Jamie, this charity is close to our heart and the fundraiser acted as a small thank you for the support that Jamie received.
“Hopefully he’d be pleased. He was a very quiet man, but he was instrumental in developing our young engineers, who are now fully fledged, and he’s left his legacy in the business through that. Raising this money is our tribute to him. Jamie worked for us for a long time and people here were very close to him.
“Needing the services of Cynthia Spencer Hospice is everybody’s worst nightmare and although there’s nothing you can do to change that situation, the money we donate allows families to spend their final days focusing on their time together. We are proud that the money that has been raised will now help other people in a similar situation to Jamie.”
When he fell ill, Jamie’s role was adapted so he was able to work in the office rather than on site. His father attended the meal after the golf competition and was touched by everyone’s efforts.
Not only did both staff and customers take part and donate, but three businesses that T&W Civil Engineering work with also gave generous £1,000 sums to add to the pot.
Adam added: “This is the most money we’ve ever raised on a golf day. It’s not been a buoyant construction market or a time of prosperity so the fact that people were so generous on the day was hugely appreciated.
“We couldn’t believe how much money had been raised but when you realise that they need to raise £2 million a year they need a lot of days like ours to make that target.”
Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser Lead at Cynthia Spencer Hospice Nina Gandy said: “T&W Civil Engineering have raised an incredible £18,500 following their recent golf day in memory of their colleague Jamie who was cared for by us during 2023.
“They had such fantastic day and a great range of prizes for their raffle too. Businesses who attended were exceptionally supportive enabling them to raise such a fantastic amount of money and we are very grateful to everyone involved.
“You too could help us to reach our fundraising target. Our Make A Difference, Your Way campaign allows the whole community to support us in whatever way best resonates with them. Every small act of kindness has a big impact.”
Kinaxia Logistics seals two-year extension to multimillion-pound Eurocell contract
Kinaxia Logistics has sealed a two-year extension to its multimillion-pound contract with Eurocell, the manufacturer, recycler and distributor of PVC-U products for the construction industry.
The initial five-year agreement covering the whole of the UK and Ireland will now run until September 2026.
Kinaxia deploys a dedicated core fleet of more than 40 vehicles to provide a 24/7 service to Eurocell and has consistently achieved an on-time, in-full performance level of 99.96 per cent.
As part of its strategy to get closer to its customers and provide a service tailored to their specific needs, Kinaxia is now trialling night fulfilment to ensure optimum stock levels are maintained at key Eurocell branches.
To further improve efficiency, Kinaxia and Eurocell will be implementing new artificial intelligence software to improve routing and reduce delivery miles and emissions by analysing real-time traffic information, congestion and distribution data.
Kinaxia shunts stock from Eurocell’s manufacturing facilities in Derbyshire to the customer’s national distribution centre in Alfreton. From there, Kinaxia undertakes daily deliveries to more than 200 Eurocell branches and fabricators.
As part of the contract, Kinaxia also provides on-demand flexible warehousing – which gives Eurocell the agility to scale storage up and down – and import and export services.
Eurocell’s product range includes doors, windows, roofline, rainwater, decking, flooring, fencing, conservatories and garden rooms. It supplies more than 10,000 home improvement products through its branch network and online to trade customers, homeowners and housebuilders.
Simon Nelson, chief operating officer at Kinaxia Logistics, said: “The extension to our contract is testament to the excellent service and great teamwork with Eurocell.
“The Kinaxia and Eurocell teams have put in a tremendous amount of hard work to ensure continuous improvement, boost productivity and achieve exceptionally high service levels over the initial five-year period.
“Our actions have resulted in significant environmental and financial savings and have enabled Eurocell to leverage the improvements we have implemented to consolidate its market position.
“We will be implementing further enhancements, including the latest AI-based routing and scheduling system, to deliver additional operational and environmental benefits to Eurocell.”
Robin Balderstone, Eurocell’s head of procurement, said: “I have worked with many logistics companies over many years. The relationship with Kinaxia is open and honest. As a result of the great teamwork between the two companies, we are now delivering great cost and delivery improvement projects. This has made the decision to extend the contact for two more years an easy one.”
