Supporters of new multi-million-pound youth zone visit construction site to see progress
Key stakeholders and major supporters of a new state-of-the-art youth centre in Grimsby – known as Horizon Youth Zone – visited the site of the pioneering project this week to see how construction firm, Hobson & Porter’s work is progressing.
Due to open in Autumn 2025, Horizon Youth Zone on Garth Lane is being delivered by national charity OnSide, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council, which is contributing to the development as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal, and the Department of Culture Media and Sport, through the Youth Investment Fund.
Other capital funders include Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, Ørsted and Greencoats Wind UK.
Attending the event were representatives from Cornerstone and Founder Patrons including Allied Protek, DFDS Seaways, Ørsted, Lincolnshire Co-op, myenergi and Prax Foundation Roots.
Welcoming the guests on site was Horizon’s Young People’s Development Group; a group of local young people who meet weekly with youth workers, developing their skills through tailored experiences, and who play an integral part in making key decisions about the Youth Zone and its future.
The disused site, which was formerly home to the West Haven Maltings and Migar House buildings, is being transformed by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter. The company is restoring and repurposing the Grade II Listed 19th century maltings and grain stores as part of the project, as well as building a major new sports hall alongside a large outdoor multi-use games area (MUGA).
When it opens next year, Horizon will become part of a network of 15 existing OnSide Youth Zones operating across the country and will be filled with energy, inspiration, and highly skilled youth workers who truly believe in young people.
North East Lincolnshire’s young people – aged between eight and 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs – will be able to access over 20 activities each evening. These activities range from sports such as football, boxing and climbing, to creative arts, music, drama and employability training – all for just £5 annual membership and 50p per visit.
Lucy Ottewell-Key, CEO of Horizon Youth Zone, said: “We couldn’t deliver this hugely ambitious project without the generous support of the many organisations, local businesses and our Founder Patron donors.
“It was therefore an honour to welcome them onto the site so they can see how work is progressing and share our vision for how the development will look and function. We now have a very exciting 12 months ahead as we approach completion.”
Jamie Masraff, CEO of OnSide, said: “Our aim at OnSide is to give all young people the chance to thrive and discover their passion and purpose. We already have 15 Youth Zones open across the country, and I can’t wait for Horizon to join the Network and give Grimsby’s young people the exciting opportunities all our Youth Zones offer.”
Jason Stockwood, chair of the Horizon Youth Zone, said: “I’m so glad we can welcome our community of supporters onto the site and mark just how far we’ve come – and celebrate as we look to the future.
“Horizon Youth Zone will be transformational for Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire; not only will it make a huge difference to young people’s lives, but it will also support the wider regeneration of the area. It’s very exciting to see the building take shape.”
Joe Booth, business development director from Hobson & Porter, said: “This is a project that we’re very proud to be working on because it’s going to have a lasting impact on Grimsby and its people.
“Our team thoroughly enjoyed hosting so many of the project’s supporters and stakeholders on site and giving them an insight into the complexities and uniqueness of this flagship project.
“The delicate and intricate task of combining heritage and conservation works with the new-build elements is creating incredible state-of-the-art facilities which will genuinely change lives for the better and we are incredibly proud to play our part in that journey.”
Horizon Youth Zone is an independent charity with a private sector led board, and once opened, it will be part of the OnSide Network of Youth Zones nationwide, which support over 50,000 young people annually. After completion, it’s estimated that Horizon could benefit up to 4,000 young people from North East Lincolnshire each year.
Orderly growth for Derbyshire food and drink supply chain tech specialists
Orderly, a supply chain management software business, headquartered in Derbyshire, is celebrating a 40% increase in the size of its team after a major expansion phase.
The B Corp certified company, which can count some of the biggest names in the food and beverage sectors among its clients, has added 16 members of staff to its team in the past few months from all over the globe.
Orderly CEO Peter Evans said: “We began as a simple idea in someone’s study, and now are a recognised global supply chain vendor.
“We are very much ‘remote first’ and thanks to this dynamic and diverse working culture, we have been able to recruit elite talent from around the world and attract major clients to us who find that our values and approach resonates with them. However, we’ve still got an office in Derbyshire for anyone who likes having a base.”
With a passion for sustainability as well as the mission to streamline its customers’ supply chains, Orderly is fully self-funded but has benefited from direction from Innovate UK.
Looking ahead, Orderly anticipates major sustainability savings to be unlocked for forward thinking businesses by leveraging their expanded product capabilities, including the Orderly Digital Assistant.
Pete added: “On top of our standard ordering and inventory management solutions, we’ve introduced our Orderly Digital Assistant. It’s an exciting AI tool that helps you predict the needs of your business, reduce risk and engage your employees.
“We think this will be a game-changer in the food and beverage sector and will make a massive difference in terms of sustainability and its impact on the planet.”
Work set to begin on regeneration of Staveley market
A multi-million pound regeneration project is set to begin in Staveley in November.
Chesterfield Borough Council’s Staveley 21 project, funded through the Staveley Town Deal, includes the construction of a new landmark building in the town centre, improvements to the market square and rejuvenation of the high street.
Together the works will help support local businesses by creating a more attractive, welcoming and safe town centre for everyone to enjoy.
A drop-in session will be held in Staveley market square from 1pm to 3pm on Wednesday 23 October where local residents and business owners can come and find out more about the plans and the programme for construction.
Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “This project will transform Staveley town centre and encourage more people to visit to support both existing retailers and market traders.
“The project will help expand the town centre offer, creating new opportunities for events and social spaces we want to boost visitor numbers and provide the space for local businesses to thrive.
“We’ve been speaking with local businesses and hosting drop-in sessions throughout the design process to ensure the plans are right and at this next drop-in session you’ll be able to speak with the contractor who is delivering the project and find out more about the programme.
“We’re trying to minimise the disruption caused in the town centre to ensure that businesses can continue to trade and will be ready to benefit from the improvements once work is complete.
“This is a really exciting project for Staveley and will help ensure that the town can thrive for generations to come.”
Stepnell who have been working to complete the town centre designs have been appointed to lead construction on the Staveley 21 project.
Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “Staveley 21 will be incredibly transformative for the town centre and as a complete construction partner with vast experience enhancing public spaces, we recognise the importance of close collaboration with local authorities, partners and future users to exceed on these expectations.
“Early engagement with the local community is vital to ensuring the landmark building, market and high street can maximise their impact and we have made great progress since our appointment. Social value can be just as transformative to the community as the build itself, and the Staveley Town Deal will encompass this approach as we look to commence works.”
Works in November will begin with the removal of the disused toilet block on the market square.
In its place a new landmark building will be built that will form a new focal point for the town centre. Once completed the building will house Derbyshire County Council’s Staveley Library on the ground floor and the upstairs will provide space for new businesses.
Staveley 21 also includes the transformation of the marketplace to create an enlarged public space to support existing uses such as Staveley Town Council’s regular markets but also as a setting that can be used to host a wide range of new events to encourage more people to visit the town centre.
Proposals include new tiered outdoor seating to support outdoor theatre and performances, and natural play equipment to help make the marketplace more attractive to families.
Designs for the play equipment have been developed in collaboration with pupils from Staveley Junior School, who visited the site with Stepnell and took part in a workshop to discuss what kind of equipment they would like to see installed.
New paving, lighting, street furniture and planting will help create an enhanced atmosphere and visitor experience at any time of day or night whilst new signage will help connect the town centre with Staveley’s other visitor attractions including the Chesterfield Canal and Staveley Hall.
There is also a shop front improvement grant scheme for businesses based in the town centre. Up to 80% of the costs of shop front improvements like new signage, windows, canopies, and much more can be funded through the scheme.
Through the Animate Chesterfield public art project, Coralie Turpin has been appointed to work with the community and develop a new piece of artwork that will celebrate Staveley’s heritage and develop designs that can be incorporated into the new paving.
Coralie said: “I am looking forward to working with the people of Staveley, we’re planning some fun activities reflecting the local canal heritage and nature to generate ideas for the design. I’m excited to create a great piece of public art for the new marketplace that is friendly and interactive.”
Around £5 million of funding has been provided through the Staveley Town Deal, a £25.2 million programme that aims to ensure Staveley is a place to start, stay and grow.
Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “I’m pleased that work will be starting soon on Staveley 21, this is a key project in the Town Deal programme and will make a real impact on the ability of the town centre to attract additional visitors to support local businesses and explore the Staveley area. I look forward to seeing the plans come to life over the next year.”
The building will include grade A modern office accommodation available for businesses. Located in a prominent town centre position, with sustainable features and accessible entry, the space will be available on competitive terms.
Promotions signal new chapter for IT company
A Nottinghamshire-based IT support and cyber security company has made a series of employee promotions to strengthen its position.
The changes at Your IT Department mark the start of a new chapter for the firm which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.
The promotions include Charley Clarke, from Service Desk Manager to Head of Service Delivery, Nathan Harris, who becomes Team Leader for the Technical Services Team, and Fern Ritchie, who becomes Security & Compliance Team Leader.
In addition, Senior Business Advisor Angus Unwin-Rose has joined the Senior Leadership Team. There are now two under-35’s within the senior leadership of the business.
Charley Clarke is the longest serving employee and his promotion involves taking over the management of the Technical Service team as well as running the Service Desk team. Fern Ritchie joined Your IT Department as an apprentice.
The Managing Director of Your IT Department, Lee Hewson, said the changes demonstrated the company’s commitment to the development of its employees.
“It’s important to us that all our staff have the opportunity to progress,” said Lee. “We have our own in-house training programme which gives employees the chance to develop their careers. That way, we can retain high quality staff and continue to provide excellent customer service.”
The recent changes follow the decision by a founding director of the company, Simon Cox, to retire following a period of ill health. Simon and Lee established Your IT Department in a small office in Nottingham in 2009.
From that initial partnership, the business now employs 24 staff and has an annual turnover of £2.4m.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time helping to develop Your IT Department into the successful business it is today,” said Simon. “I’m proud that we’ve created and secured local jobs and helped employees to develop their careers.
“It’s also been great to work closely with a range of long-standing clients and I’m sure they will continue to receive a first class service in the future.
“The decision to retire is not one I’ve made lightly, but it’s the right time to let other people flourish within the company. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my wife, Juliet, and enjoying some quality leisure time together.”
Midlands administrations outpace last year’s figures
The number of companies in the Midlands filing for administration during the first nine months of the year has outpaced last year’s figures by more than 10%, according to Interpath Advisory, as industrial manufacturing, building & construction, and retail drive insolvencies.
Analysis of notices in The Gazette shows there have been 126 administrations across the Midlands in the first nine months of 2024, representing a rise of 11.5% when compared to last year’s figures (Q1 – Q3 2023: 113). For Q3 2024, there were 45 administrations, a marginal decrease when compared to the same period last year.
The region remained one of the prominent for administrations outside of London, accounting for more than one in ten cases in the country (12.4%). The most impacted sectors in the Midlands have been industrial manufacturing with 24 administrations, building & construction (20 administrations), and retail (13 administrations) between Q1 and Q3 2024.
Nationally, there were 1,016 administrations across the UK between January and September 2024, in line with the corresponding figures for last year (January to September 2023 1,013 administrations). The building & construction sector has been the most impacted by administrations nationally since the start of the year with 147 cases, followed by business services (130 administrations), industrial manufacturing (119 administrations) and retail (93 administrations). Together these sectors account for almost half (48.3%) of total administrations in the UK economy.
Commenting on the figures, Chris Pole, Managing Director and Head of the Midlands team at Interpath Advisory, said: “The Midlands is on track to surpass last year’s rate of administrations. Despite some improving economic metrics, these figures lay bare the fragility that persists in the economy and challenges that still face business leaders in maintaining solvency, let alone consider growth opportunities.
“The picture on the ground here in the Midlands is similar to what we’re seeing on a national level. There’s a stubborn volume of administrations across the country, but also there’s a clear profile of the type of businesses in distress taking shape.
“Those in the construction sector have really suffered so far this year as they navigate the impact of such a sustained period of price inflation and square that with the prevalence of fixed price contracts across the sector. Meanwhile, as the figures show for the Midlands, industrial manufacturing and retail are also heavily represented in the figures on a national level.
“Looking ahead, we expect administrations to push further beyond last year’s figures come December as some businesses struggle to respond to market conditions, but also as others find the pressure of growth too much to bear.
“Whatever position they are in, business leaders will be looking to the Budget at the end of this month for some stability and visibility so they can make better, more informed decisions to guide their organisations solvently through this fragile economic period.”
Nottingham University Business School partners with Veritas Prime LLP to boost graduate HR knowledge
Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) is set to educate students on core HR, payroll and employee experience skills thanks to a new partnership with Veritas Prime LLP.
The partnership will see students at NUBS use SAP SuccessFactors to gain practical, hands-on experience with the software.
Veritas Prime will facilitate this learning experience by providing NUBS with a dedicated training instance of SAP SuccessFactors, pre-populated with the data needed to support teaching and configuration exercises.
This collaboration aims to equip students with both theoretical HR knowledge and the software system expertise required to excel in SAP SuccessFactors environments, ensuring a steady pipeline of business-ready graduates.
Veritas Prime specialises in SAP SuccessFactors, with offices in the UK, US, South America, India, and the APAC region. The company works with organisations to streamline HR processes, improve employee experiences, and drive strategic workforce management.
In response to this partnership, Professor Andy Callaghan: Director Digital Centre of Excellence at the University of Nottingham, said: “The University of Nottingham is already the second most targeted university for graduate employers across the UK (The Graduate Market by Highfliers Research) and the partnership with Veritas Prime to bring SAP SuccessFactors to Nottingham raises the bar even higher.
“Not only does it set the benchmark for how we want to engage with industry going forward, it will also enhance our students’ experience, enabling them to combine the functional learning gained from their Human Resource Management degree with the practical knowledge of the enterprise application they are likely to use in the work environment.
“It will also make our students more employable; it opens the door to job opportunities with Veritas Prime and within a wider SAP sector that has a significant early talent shortage. We hope to replicate similar engagement models with our industry partners as we strive to deliver more value from a University of Nottingham degree.”
Lindab ordered to sell sites in Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent after ventilation merger investigation
Having carried out an in-depth Phase 2 merger inquiry, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ordered Lindab – a supplier of circular ducts and fittings used in ventilation systems in buildings – to sell two sites after finding its deal with HAS-Vent could lead to reduced choice and higher prices for installers of ventilation systems in both Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent.
The independent CMA group leading the inquiry scrutinised a wide range of evidence, including the parties’ internal documents and evidence from installers of ventilation systems and other suppliers of circular ducts and fittings. Based on this evidence, the group found that competition for these products occurs at a local level.
Having assessed the impact of the deal in various local areas, and then consulted on its provisional findings published in August, the inquiry group has concluded the deal has resulted in a substantial lessening of competition in the supply of circular ducts and fittings in the local areas centred around Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent.
To resolve the loss of competition, the CMA is requiring Lindab to sell one site in each of the impacted areas. To ensure the largest pool of potential purchasers and given the different operating models in the industry (which means that some purchasers may want a site with manufacturing assets, while others may not), Lindab is required to market for sale all four sites it owns in the two areas and put forward potential buyers for the CMA to approve.
Kirstin Baker, Chair of the independent inquiry group, said: “Circular ventilation ducts and fittings are essential components in the construction of buildings, such as new offices and flats.
“Our investigation found this deal – by removing one of two main suppliers of these products in the Nottingham and Stoke areas – risked installers and developers having to pay more for these products.
“As a result, we are requiring Lindab to sell one site in each of the two areas, which should ensure local installers and businesses can benefit from effective competition.”
Juno Women’s Aid secures safe housing for domestic abuse survivors with £3m investment
Eight safe properties that will allow survivors of domestic abuse to make a fresh start in their own homes have been bought in ambitious plans by Nottingham charity Juno Women’s Aid.
The two and three-bedroom homes, across the city and the county, are currently being refurbished and will soon be occupied by women and their children so they can set down roots in new communities. These are the first to be bought in the organisation’s overall plan to secure 28 homes.
Juno, the city’s largest domestic abuse organisation, has bought the properties after receiving a ‘life-changing’ £3m of social investment, as it strives to change the way that families are housed after fleeing abusive relationships.
Yasmin Rehman, Juno CEO, said: “Being able to move survivors and their families from refuges and into properties we own is so important in helping them to build new lives, develop safe social networks, find jobs or training courses and see their children flourish at school or college.
“This is a dream come true for us to move away from an emergency, sticking plaster approach. We will continue to support these families during their tenancies and look forward to helping many more in the future as part of our longer-term strategy.”
The social investment loan of £3,075,000 was given by Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC), which provides finance for ‘extraordinary’ charities and social enterprises.
Of the first tranche, four properties fall within the city council boundary and a further four are in south Nottinghamshire. The properties are being renovated, redecorated and fitted with new carpets, kitchens and bathrooms where necessary and the first tenants will be able to move in imminently.
A further two properties will be used for the charity’s Serenity scheme which provides emergency refuge accommodation, while the others will provide tenancies for typically up to two years. Families will have access to bespoke specialist tenancy and domestic abuse support to help overcome the trauma they have experienced.
While giving Juno greater control over the quality and location of its properties, it is estimated the project will support around 110 women and 220 children during the loan term.
“Our refuges are meant to be temporary crisis accommodation to look after women and children for six months to a year,” said Yasmin. “But many often stay longer than that because of the cost of living crisis and the difficulty in finding homes that are safe, secure and affordable.
“When they are in a refuge, women can struggle to find or stay in work or access education because it is not safe to disclose where they live, or they might not want to explain their situation – they don’t want to be labelled. This is just a point in their life – it doesn’t define them.
“It’s so important that they can move on into living independently, make plans for the future, and perhaps save some money so they can eventually find their own place in an area where they have built a connection on their own terms.”
In its latest figures, in 2023-24, Juno worked with 2,980 women, 501 children and young people, fostered 84 pets, and received more than 16,000 calls on its helpline. At any one time, it supports 500-600 women and children in Nottingham and south Nottinghamshire.
The £3m that Juno has received was distributed by SASC’s Social and Sustainable Housing Fund II (SASH II). It is SASC’s first ‘midwife’ deal which pairs the charity with existing partners Winner Trading Ltd, the registered provider of social housing based at Preston Road Women’s Centre in Hull, which works to help build capacity in UK women’s organisations.
“Preston Road Women’s Centre has been doing this for several years and now owns or manages nearly 200 properties,” said Yasmin. “They have been incredibly supportive, and we have welcomed their guidance and advice about the property market and the whole process.”
Mark Bickford, CEO of SASC, said: “We are delighted that with investment from our Social and Sustainable Housing Fund II (SASH II), Juno Women’s Aid has purchased eight two and three-bedroom properties that will become safe homes for domestic abuse survivors in Nottingham. This is also a step towards the charity’s goal of purchasing 28 safe homes.
“Such housing is critical, providing not only immediate safety but also to provide a foundation for survivors to rebuild their lives. Domestic abuse is a pressing issue and providing access to this kind of accommodation is life-changing. At SASC, we are committed to investing in charities like Juno Women’s Aid, where their work profoundly improves the lives of vulnerable individuals and their families.”
Over £35k raised for Nottingham drama charity at inaugural ‘Great Notts Ball’
The Television Workshop, an acclaimed Nottingham-based drama group and TV casting resource, raised an impressive £37,000 at its first-ever charity ball.
The ‘Great Notts Ball’ took place at the University of Nottingham’s historic Trent Building on Thursday 3 October, attended by a variety of special guests including award-winning director of This is England Shane Meadows alongside iconic Nottingham-born lead actor of Line of Duty and Trigger Point, Vicky McClure – both are also patrons of the organisation.
Hosted by Game of Thrones actor and TV Workshop alumnus Joe Dempsie, the evening featured a drinks reception, three-course dinner, lively auction and raffle, rounding off with a disco and live band.
Speaking about his personal experience, Joe said: “Workshop not only offered me the training, the grounding, and a genuinely viable route into the industry, it offered me the opportunity and gave me permission to have that ambition in the first place.
“And all of that was underpinned by the vital, founding and guiding principle that the Workshop would be accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstance.”
One of the event highlights was the charity auction, where attendees had the chance to bid on exclusive prizes, such as a day on set with Shane Meadows, original This is England artworks by Nick Holdsworth, and Paul Smith designer handbags.
The money raised will go to supporting more of the free student places offered by the Workshop, ensuring that aspiring performers can access the organisation’s training regardless of financial background.
The charity, known for its commitment to promoting diversity in the performing arts, offers subsidised fees and bursaries to break down socioeconomic barriers and currently receives no external funding or grants.
Alison Rashley, artistic director at The Television Workshop, said: “Our Great Notts Ball was a resounding success, and we have been completely blown away by the kindness and generosity shown from start to finish.
“Our sponsors, prize donations and attendees have all played a pivotal part in making a difference to the lives of so many young people, by enabling us to continue our work to recognise and nurture talent.
“It was also very special to welcome back so many familiar faces from our Workshop past, who kindly gave up their time to attend and speak on the night, as well as supporting us with unique experiences for the auction.
“By focusing on talent over financial status, we can open our doors to young performers who might otherwise be excluded from the arts. For too many aspiring actors, financial barriers can limit their opportunities, and that’s something we’re determined to change. We can’t thank everyone enough for their contributions.”
Inflation dips to lowest level in three years
Inflation fell to 1.7% in September, below expectations of 1.9% and the lowest level in three years.
Measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), the figure recedes from 2.2% reported last month and dips below the Bank of England’s target.
The largest downward contribution came from transport, with larger negative contributions from air fares and motor fuels; the largest offsetting upward contribution came from food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, rose by 3.2% in the 12 months to September 2024, down from 3.6% in August.
Rolls-Royce SMR gets seat at European Industrial Alliance table
Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected as one of the first Project Working Groups under the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors.
As an active member of the Alliance, set up to accelerate the deployment of SMRs to support decarbonisation, energy security and deliver economic benefit across the region, Rolls-Royce SMR welcomes the decision and recognises the importance of this European collaboration.
As the most advanced SMR design in Europe, the Rolls-Royce SMR power station draws upon standard pressurised water reactor technology that is currently operating safely in hundreds of reactors around the world and has successfully progressed to the final stage of regulatory assessment in the UK.
Sophie Macfarlane-Smith, Rolls-Royce SMR’s Head of Customer Engagement, said: “We look forward to working with our European customers, supply chain partners and other Industrial Alliance stakeholders to accelerate the growth of the advanced manufacturing and modular construction capabilities across the region that will support the faster, economic deployment of nuclear technology and deliver real, sustainable economic benefit.”
The Rolls-Royce offers a radically different approach to delivering new nuclear power. Each ‘factory-built’ nuclear power station will provide enough low-carbon electricity to power a million homes for more than 60 years and will create thousands of long-term, high-skilled jobs.
SME business leaders feel “overwhelmed”
Significant numbers of small and medium-sized business leaders feel “overwhelmed” by their roles and “like they should know more than they do,” according to new research.
The survey by the Small Business Charter of 1,200 senior business people in SMEs across the UK found anxiety about some aspects of the burden of running and growing their companies.
A fifth (20%) say they feel overwhelmed by everything that’s required of them, with this rising to over a third (35%) among leaders aged 18 to 24. In the East Midlands, 17% of bosses say they feel overwhelmed.
Meanwhile, a quarter (24%) nationally say they feel like they should know more than they do, with those aged 35 to 44 most likely to admit this (27%). The proportion feeling they should know more is 20% among leaders in the East Midlands.
Nationally, almost one in five (18%) – 19% in the East Midlands – also say they feel burdened by the responsibility to protect their employees’ jobs.
According to the Department for Business & Trade, there are 5.6 million small- and medium-sized businesses in Britain, suggesting there are hundreds of thousands of leaders across the UK feeling overwhelmed and lacking in knowledge and knowhow.
Nevertheless, despite their anxieties, most UK business leaders still feel confident in the broad day-to-day running of their business or department (96%). When pressed on what would make them feel even more confident, a third (33%) say access to leadership training and 40% want a larger network of peers to turn to, rising to a half (49%) in the East Midlands.
Flora Hamilton, executive director, Small Business Charter, said: “Our survey of business leaders shows that even though they generally feel comfortable on a day-to-day basis, significant numbers have underlying anxieties.
“Running a company or department can be a heavy burden and at times many feel overwhelmed and insecure about having the business knowledge they need to do their jobs well and grow their companies.
“With its practical SME focus, the Help to Grow: Management Course helps small business leaders and senior managers develop the business knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
“Delivered by our network of expert business schools, it provides a fundamental understanding of core business topics from strategy to marketing and employee engagement but also the support of a local peer network that many small business leaders see as crucial to helping them tackle challenges and feel more confident.”
Rothera Bray promotes five key team leaders to director roles following ABS conversion
East Midlands law firm, Rothera Bray, has converted to an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) following approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
As part of this strategic transformation, Rothera Bray has promoted five key team leaders to director roles: HR Director Sarah Poole, Business Development and Marketing Director Marie Walls, IT Director Robin Davies, Finance Director Philipa Roberts, and Operations and Innovation Director Tony Woodward.
The firm’s conversion to ABS allows it to draw on a broader spectrum of talent, with individuals from non-legal backgrounds taking on leadership roles and contributing to the firm’s business operations.
This change follows Rothera Bray’s most successful financial year to date and supports its ambitious growth trajectory. The firm’s workforce has also seen substantial expansion, with the team now nearing 250 employees. Despite the regulatory change, Rothera Bray will retain its LLP status, ensuring continuity in the firm’s structure while positioning it for future growth and innovation.
Christina Yardley, CEO of Rothera Bray, said: “This conversion strengthens our management structure by bringing a broader range of talent and expertise to our leadership team. By embracing the flexibility of an ABS, we are able to diversify our operations and ensure that we can respond to the evolving needs of our clients with greater commercial acumen and technical expertise.”
Housebuilder begins regeneration project at disused land in Nottingham
Housebuilder, Keepmoat, is working to deliver 90 luxury new homes as part of a £15m investment set to transform abandoned brownfield land in West Bridgford.
The housebuilder acquired the site off Wilford Lane, which formerly housed a disused restaurant and rifle range, in 2020 and subsequently secured planning to regenerate the land in September last year.
The site will deliver an enhanced specification of energy efficient homes – a new type of offering for the housebuilder, which typically creates homes for first-time-buyers.
The development will feature one and two bedroom apartments and two, three, four and five-bedroom homes. The homes will include EV chargers, solar panels, and enhanced insulation.
Robin McGinn, Land & Partnerships Director at Keepmoat, East Midlands, said: “We’re pleased to be regenerating a disused piece of land at the heart of West Bridgford that has so much culture and diversity within the existing area.
“Considering the already established community we’re committed to creating new homes that will fit seamlessly within the existing landscape. We are also investing in the local road infrastructure to provide valuable, convenient access to local amenities including schools, restaurants, cafes, gyms and the tram network.”
The new regeneration project, Chateau Mews, has been named after the former Chateau Restaurant which formerly sat on the site.
Flint Bishop recruits Head of Operations in Debt Services to support further strategic planned growth
Law firm Flint Bishop has announced the appointment of Lee Osborne as Head of Operations to support the continued growth of its national Debt Services division.
Bringing over 25 years of experience in banking and financial services, Osborne joins from CHL Mortgages, where he served as Services Director, managing a £3.2 billion servicing book and overseeing teams across primary servicing, collections, litigation, complaints, and quality assurance.
Prior to this, Osborne held the position of Head of Operations at Aldermore Bank PLC, where he spent nine years leading key functions, including mortgage collections and commercial and property development originations.
The appointment is intended to support Niall Gilhooley, Head of Debt Services, by expanding the existing leadership team, building on the growth and success of the practice, and to support the planned investment in technology and investment.
Gilhooley said: “We are delighted to welcome Lee to the firm. His extensive experience as a senior operations leader will be invaluable as we continue to grow our high-performing Debt Services division. His track record in implementing transformational change and delivering exceptional quality and compliance results aligns perfectly with our strategic goals.”
The appointment of Osborne comes as Flint Bishop’s Debt Services division has experienced phenomenal growth over the last 12-18 months, with now over 150 FTEs, having secured or extended third-party debt related partnerships with several UK household name brands across the energy, utilities, telecoms, banking, financial services, and B2B commercial supply chain.
“Lee’s appointment signifies further investment in leadership capability and capacity within the department, ensuring that we continue to deliver and strive to be even better for our clients, their customers, and our colleagues,” added Gilhooley.
“With our continued focus on strategic growth, investment in service delivery, and continuous improvement, we are well positioned to build on our success as a premier national provider of volume B2B and B2C debt services in the UK.”
Flint Bishop appoints high-profile banking litigation lawyer to lead Finance Dispute Resolution team
Derby-headquartered law firm Flint Bishop has announced the strategic appointment of banking litigation specialist Kate Hicks as Partner & Head of Finance Dispute Resolution at its Leeds office, marking a significant milestone in the firm’s pursuit of becoming a dominant force in the banking litigation and recoveries arena.
Hicks joins Flint Bishop from Yorkshire Building Society, where she provided comprehensive legal support across the organisation. Her career also includes senior roles at Walker Morris LLP, Cobbetts Solicitors and DLA Piper, where she gained a national reputation for managing high-stakes litigation in property and banking law.
Hicks brings over 20 years of litigation experience, with her specialism in the financial services property lending sector. Her skill set encompasses a wide range of legal matters, including the Consumer Credit Act, challenges to the enforceability of credit agreements, complex regulatory issues, and title rectification to ensure lenders’ security is properly perfected.
She also has a strong track record in asset finance, unsecured recoveries, and intricate secured recovery cases, and is highly skilled in handling breach of mandate claims, payment by mistake claims, operational fraud cases, and contract and tort disputes for banks, building societies, and other financial institutions.
Qamer Ghafoor, Chief Executive at Flint Bishop, said: “I am delighted to welcome Kate to the firm to lead our Finance Dispute Resolution practice. Her appointment is a major coup for the firm, solidifying our standing as a leading legal partner for banks, building societies, and financial institutions seeking expertise in complex financial disputes.
“Kate’s leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s future in the banking litigation and financial services offering, helping us to become a dominant force in the UK banking litigation and recoveries arena, setting the stage for accelerated growth and market leadership in the coming years.”
The appointment follows Flint Bishop’s recent acquisition of the Banking Litigation and Recoveries division from Walker Morris LLP, as well as the opening of the firm’s new offices in Leeds last month.
How antivirus scans can protect you and your business against cyber threats
Cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated, targeting individuals and businesses alike. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre highlighted the major threats in its 2023 review. This report underlined the importance of strong defence mechanisms. Regular antivirus scans are a crucial part of these measures. They offer proactive protection against the evolving risks.
But what are these threats? What exactly do antivirus scans entail? And what benefits can they offer? Read on to find out more.
Understanding cyber threats
‘Cyber threats’ is a term used to cover a wide range of malicious activities that aim to compromise digital systems, data, and networks. Common examples are malware, ransomware, phishing, and denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These activities can lead to severe consequences, including data breaches, financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.What do antivirus scans do?
Antivirus software uses a file virus scanner to detect malware and other malicious activity. It can employ methods such as signature-based detection, heuristics, or sandboxing to pick up both known and emerging threats. Regular scans ensure that new dangers are identified and neutralized before they can cause harm.The benefits of antivirus scans
These scans contribute to the security of a computer system in many ways:- Early detection: Identifying threats quickly can prevent them from causing significant damage in the long term.
- System integrity: Ensuring there have been no unauthorised changes maintains security.
- Compliance: Helping businesses meet regulatory requirements and standards. This can avoid legal and financial penalties.
- Peace of mind: Knowing that your system is often scanned and free of malware can reduce anxiety and stress.
Best practices for protecting your systems
As well as using antivirus software, consider taking the following steps:- Regular updates: Updates often contain patches and fixes for weaknesses that attackers could exploit.
- Frequent scans: Schedule checks to ensure continuous protection. Automated scans maintain vigilance without manual oversight.
- Data backup: Regularly back up data to an external drive, cloud storage, or both. This ensures you can restore it in the event of a ransomware attack or other data loss incident.
- Educate: Employee training on cybersecurity best practices can create a robust human firewall. This can be critical given that human error is a major factor in many breaches.
- Use strong passwords: Avoid using the same password for multiple programs. Additionally, changing them after a set period can prevent unauthorised access.
Businesses urged to support Derby County Community Trust free meals programme amid soaring demand
Local businesses are being urged to support Derby County Community Trust’s free meals programme which is helping feed hundreds of people in need across the city.
The community trust provides free hot meals at Harrison’s Hub every week to those experiencing hardship in Derby.
The scheme has been going since November 2022 and in 2024 demand has been so high that the community meals are being served up all year round for the first time.
The project sees Derby County Football Club chefs prepare hot meals which are sponsored by local businesses, which often send in a team of volunteers to serve them.
The trust is providing around 50 hot meals per week with the aim of targeting as many different groups in the city as possible, including Ukrainian refugees, families struggling with mounting bills, or people having problems with drug and alcohol use.
Pete Collins, the trust’s fundraising and partnerships manager, said: “There is a group of 30 to 35 more vulnerable members of the local community who will attend the meals each week. The rest will be made up of adults who are accessing other services around the city, and may well be homeless. It’s lovely to see them every week.”
Local businesses have been paying to sponsor the meals. One company which has supported several Derby County Community Trust meals is Lubrizol, a science company whose UK Technical Centre is based at Hazelwood, near Duffield.
Claire Hollingshurst, who sits on Lubrizol’s charities and communities committee, was one of the company’s volunteers who turned out to serve a meal of chilli con carne and garlic bread.
She said: “We all really enjoyed coming out to serve one of these meals once again. It’s always good to interact with the local community and chat to the families who came out to eat at Harrison’s Hub.
“Giving back to the community is very important to us at Lubrizol and these hot meals provided by the Derby County Community Trust are a really great initiative we are proud to support.”
Pete said: “We’re very grateful to all the businesses which support our community meals initiative. We do encourage them to send volunteers to roll their sleeves up and help serve them.
“The need for these meals is ever increasing. Derby is a city within 20 per cent of the most deprived areas of the country. There are lots of people who need these warm spaces and hot food that we can provide.
“We’re coming up to winter now and the need is always there. It’s nice that we can provide the support that comes from being connected with the football club and the city council that makes people feel welcome. Lubrizol has worked with us several times on these meals and the ongoing support from a business is vitally important for us, to be able to deliver and serve them.
“We have some meal slots coming up that would still benefit from business support so if anyone can help us we’d ask them to be in touch.”
Lubrizol also supports the DCCT with a STEM programme, offering science, tech, maths and engineering opportunities to Derby school students. Their support includes sponsoring innovative ‘Sphero’ robots which are helping primary teach computer programming through football-themed activities. As well as covering the cost of the robots, Lubrizol also contributes yearly to five workshops in which schools participate.
To support Derby County Community Trust’s meals, please contact Pete Collins on pete.collins@dcct.co.uk
Planning submitted for 644,000 sq ft prime East Midlands logistics scheme
Indurent, a developer and operator of industrial and logistics space, and PLP, the specialist industrial and logistics developer, have submitted a detailed planning application to North West Leicestershire District Council for the development of a Grade A 644,000 sq ft logistics facility.
This prime East Midlands site spans 38 acres and is located immediately adjacent to Junction 24A of the M1 motorway providing direct access to 85% of the UK population within a 4-hour drive time, with Nottingham, Derby and Leicester conurbations nearby.
Proximity to the East Midlands Gateway rail freight terminal and the East Midlands airport provide multi-modal logistics connectivity opportunities to the site.
The proposed development, designed by Michael Sparks Associates, will be delivered speculatively and is targeted for completion in Q1 2026. The building has been carefully designed to meet the flexible needs of large-scale logistics and industrial occupiers, who face a national shortage of well-connected buildings in the 600,000 sq ft size range.
Jake Shilston, Development Director, Indurent, said: “Our proposal for this site will provide businesses with a state-of-the-art logistics facility in a prime location in the Golden Triangle, with easy access to customers across the UK and Europe.
“We are confident this development will boost economic growth by creating employment opportunities for local residents and businesses in North West Leicestershire and the East Midlands.”
Neil Dickinson, Chief Investment Officer at PLP, said: “PLP looks forward to working closely with Indurent to deliver an extremely rare opportunity within the UK market. This speculative development will be delivered to a high specification in a prime location, and I have no doubt that we will secure a blue-chip occupier for this facility.”
Indurent and PLP are represented by Cushman & Wakefield and Savills.
Managing Director of Sport to leave role at Frasers Group
Ger Wright is set to leave her role as Managing Director of Sport at Frasers Group, but will remain on the Board as a Non-Executive Director.
Since her appointment in 2022, Ger has made a significant contribution to the execution of the Group’s Elevation Strategy.
The Group’s Sport proposition has evolved during her tenure with the introduction of Running and Outdoor concepts, the onboarding of new brands, and international expansion into new markets.
Michael Murray, CEO of Frasers Group, said: “Ger has been an exceptional leader for Frasers Group and we are grateful for her contribution.
“We look forward to continuing to benefit from Ger’s sector expertise as a Non-Executive Director as we further accelerate the Group’s ambitions in Sport.”
