Taking place on Thursday 3rd October, the highly anticipated East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 is just days away. Set to celebrate the region’s property and construction industry, the event at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground is also an ideal networking opportunity, presenting a chance to form new connections with business leaders from across the East Midlands, as well as hear from guest speaker Paul Southby. Paul is a partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema in Nottingham’s Lace Market, and a longstanding trustee of environmental charity Clean Rivers Trust. He is chair of Nottingham Partners, a group of businesses that supports the work of the local inward investment agency, Invest in Nottingham, and a board member and past chair of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Limited. Paul is also a former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire (2022/23). Attend the glittering awards ceremony to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agents of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, and Responsible Business. The Overall Winner will also be revealed at the event, sponsored by Blueprint Interiors, who will be awarded a grand prize – a year of marketing/publicity with Business Link worth £20,000. Chloe Sproston, Creative Director at Blueprint Interiors, shared: “We’ve been involved in the awards since 2019 either as an award nominee or a sponsor. We continue to be impressed with both the quality of award submissions, but also the event, which attracts the elite of our region’s construction and property professionals. “This year, we’re particularly excited to sponsor the overall winner category, further demonstrating our commitment to showcasing the very best talent in the region’s property and construction industry.” A highlight in the business calendar, book your place at the awards now to avoid disappointment! The event will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm. Complementary drinks and nibbles will be served on arrival. Dress code is standard business dress.  

Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024

Architects of the Year – sponsored by Mather Jamie IMA Architects Design Haus Architecture Matthew Montague Architects   Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by Global HSE Group Brackley Property Developments – The Dock Extension, Leicester Pick Everard – Nottingham Central Library G F Tomlinson – The Air and Space Institute, Newark   Contractor of the Year – sponsored by EMEC Ecology Cawarden Clegg Construction Winvic   Deal of the Year – sponsored by Tutum Consulting heb Surveyors – The Oaks, Mansfield FI Real Estate Management – The Quad, Chesterfield Freeths – Former Boots factory site, Beeston   Developer of the Year – sponsored by IMA Architects Vistry Group East Midlands Indurent Wavensmere Homes   Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden G F Tomlinson – The Air and Space Institute, Newark Design Haus – Musters Road Distinctive Developments – Woodwell and Meadow Barn   Most Active Agent – sponsored by Roy Geddes Bricks Rigby & Co FHP Property Consultants Salloway Property Consultants   Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Devello Distinctive Developments – Woodwell and Meadow Barn Phoenix Brickwork UK LTD – IQ Nelson Court Chevin Homes – Chevin Close   Responsible Business – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Stepnell Ltd Cawarden Cora   Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Ltd CPMG – Sir Peter Rubin Centre for Veterinary Education Henry Brothers Construction Ltd – Alfreton Park School Keepmoat – Gedling Green   The Overall Winner, sponsored by Blueprint Interiors, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity with Business Link worth £20,000.     East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 When: Thursday 3rd October 2024, 4:30pm – 7:30pm Where: The Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground Keynote speaker: Paul Southby, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire Dress code: Standard business attire Tickets: Available at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/east-midlands-bricks-awards-2024-tickets-902294566337?aff=oddtdtcreator Thanks to our sponsors:      

       

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A pioneer of technology used across the Solar System, Exosens – through its brand Photonis – has invested £1 million to advance space research and innovation facilities in collaboration with Space Park Leicester. Exosens has worked with University of Leicester academics for more than 25 years and more recently it forged a relationship with the university’s science and innovation hub, Space Park Leicester, working alongside it on technology which is being used in some of today’s most exciting space missions. It has now invested £1 million, through funding and other support, contributing to the creation of a Centre of Excellence in Optics Design and Manufacturing at Space Park Leicester. This funding will enhance the METEOR space programme which brings together more than 100 researchers and industrial research and development personnel working on Earth observation and the challenges facing the space sector’s evolution. Dr Adrian Martindale, Head of Space Projects and Instrumentation at Space Park Leicester and a Lecturer in Space Instrumentation at the University of Leicester, said: “Photonis’ technology is the enabler for certain types of scientific instruments and as a result its technology is on lots of space missions and is all over the Solar System. “Exosens is supporting us to help develop the quality of the product and the performance of the technology, to push us into the next generation of projects. We have aspirations in space and they have aspirations for a market on the ground and by working together we hope to take both of these things forward.” Chris Tisse, Chief Technology Officer at Exosens, said: “We are proud to support cutting-edge space research at Space Park Leicester. This significant investment reflects our commitment to advancing the technology that powers groundbreaking space missions and innovation. By working together with the brilliant minds at the University of Leicester, we aim to push the boundaries of what’s possible in both space exploration and Earth-based applications.” Leicester space academics worked with Photonis on detector systems and together they developed an entirely new X-ray optic. Photonis’ technology was the cornerstone of Space Park Leicester’s Mercury Imaging X-ray Spectrometer (MIXS) instrument which is on its way to Mercury on the European Space Agency’s BepiColombo mission. Dr Martindale said: “Photonis’ technology is absolutely crucial to the development of that instrument. Essentially, MIXS will help to measure the X-rays that are emitted from the surface of the planet and by measuring them we’ll be able to figure out what the rocks on the surface are made of. This will tell us how the planet formed and we’ll see whether that fits in with theories about how the Solar System formed.” The optic Photonis developed with Space Park Leicester has also led to Leicester’s space scientists working on several more significant missions. These include SVOM (Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor), which is dedicated to the study of the most distant explosion of stars, and SMILE (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) which is a wide-field X-ray telescope that uses micropore optics to spectrally map the location, shape and motion of Earth’s magnetospheric boundaries. Dr Martindale added: “Photonis’ technology will answer questions about Mercury and as a result questions about planetary science, it will answer questions about astronomy through SVOM and it will answer questions about the Earth through SMILE.”

Totally, the Derby-based provider of frontline healthcare services, corporate fitness and wellbeing services, has been awarded a new contract for insourcing services and a contract extension for the delivery of NHS 111 online services; both contracts are for the North of England.

The insourcing contract, to be delivered by Pioneer Healthcare, is a further expansion of Totally’s footprint across the North of England. The contract, valued at £5 million will enable the treatment of patients across multiple medical specialties, including outpatients and day cases. This new contract will be mobilized immediately and the work delivered by end of March 2025.

Totally has also been awarded a contract extension for existing services delivering NHS 111 “Speak to” and online dispositions for a Trust in the North East of England. The contract runs from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2025 and is valued at £1.1 million.

Wendy Lawrence, Totally CEO, said: “These two contracts demonstrate how we can support this for patients across the UK – making sure patients can access help when they need it, and increasing capacity so that no one waits longer than they need to for essential treatment.”

A groundbreaking scheme to develop construction skills to help protect and preserve our architectural heritage is being supported by Bassetlaw District Council. The Council has teamed up with Pinnacle Conservation and The National Trust to host a series of free foundation classes in conservation crafts, to train up a new generation with the skills needed to conserve some of our much-loved buildings. The sessions, which have been made possible through UK Shared Prosperity (UKSPF) Funding, are taking place within Clumber Park and include stonemasonry, roofing, rainwater ironworks, heritage joinery and lime plastering/pointing. Rob Holder, National Trust General Manager North Notts, said: “As General Manager of National Trust Clumber Park I am thrilled to be hosting the Heritage Skills Programme at our special place. “Working with like-minded partners to champion the importance of heritage skills in our sector is a privilege and much needed if we are to attract people into these roles and secure the future of our built heritage.” Adan Hickey, Managing Director of Pinnacle Conservation, said: “We’re so excited to be involved in the delivery of this heritage skills training programme. As a company, we’re extremely passionate about the continued development of such important craft skills and we hope these next few months will ignite the spark in our cohort of enthused candidates to fly the flag for the heritage sector.” Over £600k of UKSPF monies is being invested in people and skills by Bassetlaw District Council across the district. Cllr Charles Adams, Cabinet Member for Business and Skills, said: “It is important we continue to create new opportunities for people across the district of all ages to learn new skills. Our Vision2040 aims to maximise the skills of our residents to enable economic growth and support social inclusion.” Among the schemes, a Green Skills Programme, in partnership with the council, Matrix Academy and the RNN group, is providing students with an introduction to low carbon/renewable tech such as solar photovoltaic panels, and air source heat pumps. While Inspire Adult Learning are offering IT, digital and work skills courses to local businesses who’d like to boost the productivity and skills of its workforce, and programmes focused on skills provision to progress those in the workforce while claiming Universal Credit. Support is also being offered countywide to those not in education, employment, or training through a Transform your Future programme, providing support to access learning, find volunteering and employment opportunities and learn about other services.

With the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 set to take place next week (Thursday 3rd October), there’s not long left to secure your seat at the prestigious event. The awards recognise and celebrate those behind the changing landscape of our region – the very best companies, teams, individuals and projects. They also present a prime opportunity to network with property and construction leaders from across the East Midlands over nibbles and complimentary drinks. Attend the glittering awards ceremony at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agents of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner.

Book your place at the awards now to avoid disappointment!

The event, which will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm, will also feature Paul Southby as keynote speaker. Paul is a partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema in Nottingham’s Lace Market, and a longstanding trustee of environmental charity Clean Rivers Trust. He is chair of Nottingham Partners, a group of businesses that supports the work of the local inward investment agency, Invest in Nottingham, and a board member and past chair of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Limited. Paul is also a former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire (2022/23).  

Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024

Architects of the Year – sponsored by Mather Jamie IMA Architects Design Haus Architecture Matthew Montague Architects   Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by Global HSE Group Brackley Property Developments – The Dock Extension, Leicester Pick Everard – Nottingham Central Library G F Tomlinson – The Air and Space Institute, Newark   Contractor of the Year – sponsored by EMEC Ecology Cawarden Clegg Construction Winvic   Deal of the Year – sponsored by Tutum Consulting heb Surveyors – The Oaks, Mansfield FI Real Estate Management – The Quad, Chesterfield Freeths – Former Boots factory site, Beeston   Developer of the Year – sponsored by IMA Architects Vistry Group East Midlands Indurent Wavensmere Homes   Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden G F Tomlinson – The Air and Space Institute, Newark Design Haus – Musters Road Distinctive Developments – Woodwell and Meadow Barn   Most Active Agent – sponsored by Roy Geddes Bricks Rigby & Co FHP Property Consultants Salloway Property Consultants   Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Devello Distinctive Developments – Woodwell and Meadow Barn Phoenix Brickwork UK LTD – IQ Nelson Court Chevin Homes – Chevin Close   Responsible Business – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Stepnell Ltd Cawarden Cora   Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Ltd CPMG – Sir Peter Rubin Centre for Veterinary Education Henry Brothers Construction Ltd – Alfreton Park School Keepmoat – Gedling Green   The Overall Winner, sponsored by Blueprint Interiors, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity with Business Link worth £20,000.     East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 When: Thursday 3rd October 2024, 4:30pm – 7:30pm Where: The Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground Keynote speaker: Paul Southby, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire Dress code: Standard business attire Tickets: Available at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/east-midlands-bricks-awards-2024-tickets-902294566337?aff=oddtdtcreator Thanks to our sponsors:      

       

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Law firm Flint Bishop has welcomed a highly regarded and seasoned partner to its Litigation practice, marking a significant and strategic addition to the firm’s growing national footprint in the commercial litigation arena. Sarah Burton, who brings over 20 years of extensive experience in commercial litigation—including a proven track record of managing complex, high-value cases—joins Flint Bishop from the national law firm Knights. Throughout her distinguished career, she has developed a deep expertise in commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on resolving property-related disputes. Burton also possesses a wealth of international experience, having spent 12 years offshore handling cross-border cases involving partnership disputes, shareholder disagreements, and professional negligence claims. Notable cases include representing a client from the UAE in a US$45 million breach of contract claim, managing multi-party litigation involving 54 shareholders in a share sale dispute, and representing a client in High Court proceedings for €3.5 million related to a contract for goods purchased from Hungary. Qamer Ghafoor, Chief Executive at Flint Bishop, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sarah to the Commercial Litigation team. Her vast experience in both UK and offshore markets, coupled with her leadership in significant cases, will be a tremendous asset as we continue to expand our services. Sarah’s addition to the team further enhances Flint Bishop’s ability to provide top-tier legal expertise and supports the firm’s ongoing growth in the commercial litigation arena. “This significant appointment follows a series of recent senior hires as the firm continues its commitment to delivering outstanding results for our clients and fits perfectly with our mission of providing high-quality legal support across all sectors.” The appointment follows Flint Bishop’s recent acquisition of the Banking Litigation and Recoveries division from Walker Morris, as well as the opening of the firm’s new offices in Leeds earlier this month.