Oliver MacPhee, private client manager, joins the Nottingham branch of the PKF Smith Cooper tax team as the firm continues their expansion throughout 2024.
With the firm’s plan to double in size before the end of 2029, Oliver is one of 63 new hires the firm has seen this year, with the tax team welcoming 10 new members alone since January.
After obtaining a first-class degree in Accounting and Finance, Oliver completed the ATT in 2019 and went on to achieve the CTA in 2022. He has over seven years’ experience working with a wide range of clients, from directors and shareholders to high-net-worth individuals and trusts, advising them on how to pass on wealth in the most tax efficient manner.
He has a vast amount of experience in tax planning, specifically inheritance tax planning, trust planning and year-end tax planning, as well as HMRC enquiries, tax compliance and reporting.
On joining PKF Smith Cooper, Oliver MacPhee said: “I am excited to be joining PKF Smith Cooper as a private client tax manager within their tax advisory team. The team has already made me feel at home, and I am looking forward to partnering with our clients to address their tax needs with effective and tailored advisory services.
“My focus will be on building meaningful relationships and helping clients confidently manage their tax challenges by providing clear and practical solutions.”
Dean Castledine, private client director, said: “It is great to welcome Oliver to the firm’s growing tax team, and he will bring valuable knowledge and experience to the firm. I look forward to seeing how Oliver will strengthen our team and benefit our clients.”
Multi-disciplinary technical consultancy, MEC Consulting Group has appointed a new associate director to lead its transport planning team.
Chris Heaney joins the firm with 25 years’ experience gained from both public and private sector roles across major development and infrastructure projects in the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands.
A registered member of both the CIHT (Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation) and TPS (Transport Planning Society), Chris specialises in transport modelling and development planning, particularly junction modelling, transport assessments, travel plans, environmental impact assessments, and sustainable transport strategy.
At MEC, Chris is based in the Leicester office albeit has plans to launch a second transport team in the firm’s Birmingham office within the next 12-18 months.
“Transport is often a fundamental issue during the planning stage of any development but I enjoy the challenge of supporting applications with robust highways contributions, travel plans, assessments and strategy,” says Chris. “The opportunity to deliver this for MEC’s clients as well as lead and expand the service across the Midlands was too good to miss.”
Chris is currently working on several major residential development projects, including a sustainable urban extension of up to 4,000 homes in Cambridgeshire and Elmsley Heath in Mansfield, which will deliver up to 800 homes.
MEC’s Managing Director, Alex Bennett said: “Chris’ expertise spans the residential, commercial, education and leisure sectors, and he is highly skilled in his field. As demand for new homes continues to accelerate, this specialist service is becoming more sought-after and we therefore needed to increase capacity.
“Having Chris on board means we are now better positioned to support clients and the team has an experienced mentor to learn from.”
The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted a man for obstructing officers in the course of their duty at a site near Alfreton in Derbyshire.
At Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court in Derby on 13 September 2024, Darren Lee Fretwell of Golden Valley Caravan Park, Coach Road, Alfreton was fined £2,239. He was also ordered to pay costs of £11,272.
The case against the driver of a lorry which had failed to stop for officers was withdrawn.
Fretwell, who is the landowner of Golden Valley Equestrian Centre and Golden Valley Caravan and Camping Park, admitted 2 charges of obstruction.
The court was told that in August 2023 Environment Agency officers received information that waste was being tipped on land at Golden Valley Equestrian Centre, in Golden Valley near Alfreton.
On 11 August 2023, an unmarked 8-wheel tipper lorry that had deposited waste on site failed to stop when instructed by an Environment Agency officer.
Fretwell had told the driver not to stop and to drive past the officer.
During the same visit, Fretwell also refused to permit excavators which were present at Golden Valley Equestrian Centre to scrape back top layers of soil to examine what had been deposited beneath.
Also on 11 August, Fretwell refused to provide waste transfer notes relating to waste which had been brought onto site when requested by an Environment Agency officer.
On 16 August 2023, the Environment Agency officers returned to Golden Valley Equestrian Centre, at the invitation of Fretwell, to conduct a follow up inspection.
In the course of the visit, officers considered they needed to visit a neighbouring site also owned by Fretwell. This site is known as Wallis Gorse, and is on Long Lane, Golden Valley. After some resistance to this from Fretwell, the officers visited that site.
This is where Fretwell again obstructed officers. He refused to provide waste transfer notes or delivery tickets relating to piles of sand containing shredded tyre rubber which were present.
During visits on both 11 August and 16 August, Fretwell was extremely abusive and hostile towards the officers. On the second visit on 16 August 2023, this behaviour was captured on body worn video, which was played in court.
In mitigation, Fretwell said that he recognised that his behaviour on the 2 dates in question was unacceptable.
Speaking after the hearing, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “This behaviour was totally unacceptable. Officers were carrying out their lawful duties to establish whether the site was acting in accordance with environmental regulations.
“Hostile, abusive or obstructive behaviour such as that demonstrated in this case will not deter us from exercising our powers to protect the environment and communities and ensure a level playing field across the industries we regulate.”
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, delves into the importance of creative photography for press releases.
A wiser man than me (a journalist) once told me: “Greg, when it comes to editorial, I just wish more PR folk would think in pictures.” At first, I did not get this at all. Surely, it’s all about the story? The wordy bit?
Well, yes but think about this. If you are the recipient of the press release, it doesn’t matter how good it is if the accompanying photo is, well, a bit pants. Unless you are indeed selling such garments – in which case, keep it brief! Sorry, I digress.
Or imagine this: you’re standing in front of a buffet table, hungry, with plates of beige food as far as the eye can see. Suddenly, you spot a vibrant, beautifully arranged dish that’s practically screaming your name. Which one are you going to grab first? Exactly.
Press releases are no different. In a world overflowing with bland, text-heavy announcements, a bit of creative photography is like that enticing dish—it grabs attention, pulls people in, and makes them want to learn more. But don’t just take my word for it. Let’s dig into why investing in a little visual flair is key to getting your press release noticed.
Greg Simpson and Mark Futcher
1. Stop the Scroll (or the Toss)
We’ve all been there—eyes glazing over while scanning a mountain of emails or news alerts. A killer image can be your press release’s lifeline, that little jolt of caffeine that wakes up a weary editor. First impressions count, and let’s face it, our words aren’t always enough to get past the initial “meh” factor. A standout photo? That’s your ticket to avoiding the trash folder.
2. Turn Words into a Story
Ever tried explaining something complicated without sounding like a textbook? It’s tough. That’s where creative photography steps in, giving your narrative a visual boost. It’s the “aha!” moment that helps people connect the dots—transforming your press release from a dry report into a story with soul.
3. Journalists Need Love Too
Journalists, like the rest of us, appreciate when you make their lives easier. Give them a press release with a snazzy, relevant image, and suddenly, you’re their new best friend. Why? Because you’ve just saved them time. They’re more likely to pick up your story, and who knows, maybe even give it some prime real estate.
4. Boost Your SEO Mojo
Ah, SEO—the three letters that make us all sound smarter at meetings. But here’s the kicker: press releases with images don’t just look better, they perform better too. Search engines are suckers for visual content, and so are social media platforms. That means more eyeballs, more clicks, and ultimately, more people reading what you’ve got to say.
5. Branding, Darling
You know that feeling when your outfit just clicks, and you feel like you could take on the world? That’s what creative photography does for your brand. Consistent, high-quality images make your brand look sharp, professional, and like you actually know what you’re doing (even on those days when you’re faking it till you make it).
6. Keep Up with the Cool Kids
Let’s face it—nobody wants to be that company still sending out black-and-white press releases in a full-color world. Visual communication is where it’s at, and if you’re not playing the game, you’re going to get left behind. Investing in creative photography ensures you’re keeping up with the times, even if you still secretly use a flip phone.
7. The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Think of creative photography as the PR gift that keeps on giving. Those images aren’t just for one-time use. They can be repurposed for social media, presentations, or even next year’s press release. It’s like finding a pair of jeans that fits just right—you’ll keep reaching for them again and again.
Conclusion
So, in a nutshell, if you want your press release to stand out, get noticed, and actually be read (and who doesn’t?), creative photography isn’t just an add-on—it’s your secret weapon. It’s the difference between blending in with the beige and being the dish everyone can’t wait to dig into. And if you’re anything like me, you’d much rather be the one serving up something that leaves a lasting impression.
PS do I take my own spin doctor medicine? You bet I do. Me on GDPR? That’ll be a picture of me stuffing tins of spam into the Royal Mail chute. Me with a new medical aesthetics client, that’d be me on the treatment table. New South African client? Rugby shirts on, down to the local ground, snap close to 100 shots as we get a ball sailing through the air towards me or flying off his bare foot.
Was it worth the effort? Every single one of those stories got used and shared. Could I have just done a “shaking hands” photo on my phone? Sure, but I won’t because I “think in pictures.”
A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008.He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective.
See this column in the September issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
With the shortlist for theEast Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 soon to be announced, secure your tickets to the annual occasion now to celebrate with the region’s property and construction industry while connecting with local decision makers over nibbles and complementary drinks.
The prestigious event, taking place on Thursday 3rd October at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, from 4:30pm – 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).
Tickets can be booked for the glittering awards event here.
Attend to forge new contacts and see who takes home most active agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
The overall winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, sponsored by Blueprint Interiors, will also 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.”
East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024When: 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
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with property and construction professionals while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in the region.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Work to create a new, low carbon industrial park on the site of former council offices at Leicester’s Blackbird Road is nearing completion.
Leicester City Council is building the new Blackbird Industrial Park on the site of a former housing depot close the city centre.
It features four buildings that will provide more than 30,000 sq ft of light industrial workspace across 21 separate units aimed at local start-ups and growing businesses.
All the buildings incorporate a range of low carbon, energy efficiency measures. These include roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, super insulation, and low-energy smart lighting. Chargers will be provided for electric vehicles in a new parking area, along with safe storage for bicycles.
The 21 new units are due to be available for lease from winter 2024. They range in size from the smallest at 750 sq ft to the largest at between 2,050 to 2,500 sq ft.
Annual rents will vary from £11,250 to £30,000, and at full occupancy the new industrial park could bring in over £400,000 in rental income.
The £6.25million development has been backed with government cash following the city council’s successful bid for new investment from the Levelling Up Fund, in 2021.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “This new and much-needed industrial park will breathe new life into a vacant council site and help meet the demand for commercial and industrial workspaces for start-up and growing businesses in Leicester.
“Along with supporting local employers and the creation of new jobs, this development also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing in cleaner, greener and low carbon infrastructure to support the future prosperity of our growing city.”
Leicester City Council appointed locally-based Brackley Property Developments Ltd as its development partner for Blackbird Industrial Park following a competitive tendering process.
Inflation came in at 2.2% in August, unchanged from July, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), the largest upward contribution to inflation came from air fares, which rose this year but fell a year ago; the largest offsetting downward contributions came from motor fuels, and restaurants and hotels.
Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, was 3.6% in the 12 months to August 2024, up from the 3.3% in July.
Martin Sartorius, Principal Economist, CBI, said: “Inflation has fallen short of the Bank of England’s latest forecast expectations for the second month in a row. This will be welcomed by households and businesses, although they will still be feeling the pinch from three years of elevated costs growth.
“While the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee will be reassured by today’s data, they’re likely to remain wary of loosening policy too quickly. Inflation is expected to pick up later this year and domestic price pressures, such as wage growth, still pose an upside risk to the outlook. That should result in a gradual path for interest rate cuts going forward, with rates likely to stay unchanged this month.”
Timber Floor Studio have completed on a new relocation in Chesterfield in a move that places the company in a prime position on one of Chesterfield’s busiest roads. The letting follows a brief marketing period which “generated a great deal of interest” from occupiers throughout the Midlands and further afield.
Salloway Property Consultants were appointed by the property owners to assist in securing a suitable tenant for the property. The premises, which is located adjacent to an existing trade counter unit, comprises 2,200 sq ft of showroom space including office accommodation.
William Speed of Salloway Property Consultants, who agreed the deal on behalf of a private client, said: “It’s great to be able to facilitate a move for a local company in Chesterfield. Timber Floor Studio have showrooms in Doncaster, Worksop and Chesterfield but the Chesterfield move is a real upgrade for them, moving into a much more prominent unit beside the A61.”
Tony Adams from Timber Floor Studio knew it was the right location for them since the property first went on the market: “We have been looking to relocate for some time now so when this property came onto the market, we knew it was right for us. We are very excited to open our new trade counter at Greenline Business Park, we recognise that the location offers us great opportunities.”
William Speed added: “It is still evident that high spec industrial and trade counter units are extremely popular in Chesterfield, with more and more tenants looking for space.”
Nottingham-based environmental consultancy EMEC Ecology has appointed Sally Harrison as its new client relationship lead.
With over 30 years of experience across a range of industries, including aerospace and pharmaceuticals, Sally brings extensive expertise in supplier and key account management.
In her new role at EMEC, she will serve as the primary contact for clients, leading client relationship management to support EMEC’s ecological consultancy, project management, and land management services.
Commenting on her appointment, Sally said: “I am really looking forward to working within a strong, friendly and supportive team. I am in awe of the work undertaken by EMEC colleagues and the positive impact this has directly on our local environment and via the work of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.”
EMEC consultancy director, Dr Ed Tripp said: “Sally’s wealth of experience in client relationship roles will be a tremendous asset to EMEC. As we continue to grow, it’s important to work closely with our clients to evolve the services we offer, and Sally’s expertise will be invaluable in helping us achieve that.”
Revenue and profit are on the rise at Team17, the independent games developer with offices in Nottingham, Manchester, and Wakefield.
According to unaudited results for the six months ended 30 June 2024 (H1 2024), revenue grew to £80.6m, up from £72.4m in the same period last year.
Pre-tax profits, meanwhile, increased to £12.4m from £8.1m.
Nine new games were launched, which included three new apps during the period, while four existing games were released on additional platforms.
Steve Bell, CEO of Team17, said: “I am pleased with the Group’s performance during the first half as we continue to focus on driving sales through first-party IP titles and across our extensive portfolio, with strong demand for our games and apps across the Group.
“I’d like to thank Ann, Tim, Julia, Emmett and the rest of the leadership team for their support in leading our Group, as well as all of our people and development partners. Their passion, dedication and knowledge are fundamental to making our business a success, and I am grateful to all for their contribution.
“Looking ahead, there is significant growth potential in our core markets – Indie, edutainment and working simulation games. Our focus on creating a portfolio of games and apps with evergreen longevity, and leveraging our excellent lifecycle management capabilities, ideally positions us to capitalise on this and build a lifetime of play within our growing portfolio and player base.”
YMCA Derbyshire is calling on local companies to support participants of its Thriving Futures Trade Skills Bootcamp by offering meaningful two-to-four-week work experience placements.
Thriving Futures is an employability program that equips individuals with essential skills through 1:1 coaching, group sessions, and supported work placements. Participants develop vocational skills, gain practical experience, and prepare for the workforce with ongoing support from the YMCA Derbyshire team.
Throughout the placement, participants receive continuous support from the Thriving Futures Placement Officer, ensuring a positive experience for both participants and host companies.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for trade companies to invest in the future workforce while benefiting from the enthusiasm and fresh perspectives our participants bring,” said Becky Malley-Smith, Thriving Futures Placement Officer at YMCA Derbyshire. “We are excited to collaborate with local businesses to help these individuals gain the practical experience they need to succeed in the trade industry.”
Companies interested in offering a work experience placement, or finding out more, can contact the Thriving Futures Placement Officer Beckey Malley-Smith at, becky.malley-smith@ymcaderbyshire.org.uk or call 07512 309732.
Journeo plc, the provider of information systems and technical services to transport operators and local authorities, delivered “its strongest set of interim results to date” in the first half of 2024.
Group revenue grew 17% to £25.6m, according to interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024, up from £21.8m in the same period of the year prior.
Meanwhile, profit before tax grew to £2.8m from £1.7m at the Ashby-de-la-Zouch-based firm.
The business further saw record order intake during the period of £24m, up from £18m last year.
Russ Singleton, CEO of Journeo plc, said: “The Group has continued to deliver strong performance, achieving growth in revenues, profits, margins and order intake in H1 2024.
“We retain our strategy of bonding closely with our customers to develop and deliver new products, solutions and services, that meet their requirements of creating a more sustainable and efficient transport network.
“This focus, supported by the ongoing integration of Infotec, MultiQ and the newly formed Journeo Design Centre, is further strengthening our capabilities and driving the organic growth of the business as we continue to assess complementary acquisition targets.
“Journeo is evolving into a more capable and resilient business as we aim to become the market-leader for Intelligent Transport Systems. With a growing customer base and a strong sales opportunity pipeline, the Board looks to the future with confidence.”
James Pinchbeck, partner at Streets Chartered Accountants, considers the challenges being faced by charities and not-for-profit organisations.
The last few years have been challenging for many businesses and individuals alike, few though might appreciate the real upheaval and even struggle faced by charities and not-for-profit organisations.
The issues they face are often around declining income, increased costs and in many cases increased demands for the work they do, especially for those providing social care, wellbeing and mental health services and support for individuals affected by the cost-of-living crisis. We have also seen similar pressures and concerns for those involved in the arts, culture, and heritage as well as many research organisations.
Whilst businesses can look at increasing prices and passing on costs to maintain margins, or look at cost savings to manage the situation, it is not as easy for those in the not-for-profit sector. Incomes, especially for funded projects, programmes, schemes, or activities, tend to be fixed, as do the costs associated with delivery. It is also often more challenging to seek alternative sources of revenue or adapt services for new markets or opportunities.
Those that have traditionally relied on donations have seen a decline in individual giving. Dealing with the cost-of-living crisis has led to a cost of gifting crisis.
Managing budgets and working capital has no doubt become an even greater focus especially in light of increased operating costs with the overheads like energy and insurances all having gone up.
Whilst financial challenges are high on the minds of the Boards and teams running organisations, they also see a number of other issues and concerns around their ability to fulfil their charitable objectives. These include issues around staffing, with the affordability of pay in many cases leading to situations where being able to recruit and retain staff is based on the ability to meet pay expectations. Certainly, being able to compete with the salaries for jobs with similar roles in the commercial sector is becoming more of a concern.
Pressures on fulfilling or maintaining activities and providing services also creates an additional risk. With a stretched workforce and systems and processes under pressure, this potentially creates a situation where quality and delivery standards are not met. This could lead to not only failure to meet obligations but also the real threat of reputational risk. Like any organisation under pressure, sub optimal working practices and approaches can lead to an increased risk of health and safety breaches.
The vulnerability of organisations in the third sector often leads to them being the target of cyber-attacks, fraud, and data breaches. Keeping up to date with procedures let alone being able to invest in mitigation and management around such things is certainly a real challenge. So too is the ability to adopt and capitalise on digitalisation for ‘business’ processes and marketing alike.
More recently the general election and a change of government might give rise to a renewed level of optimism around support and assistance for the sector, equally it could give rise to concerns about new legislation or focus that may be less favourable. Certainly, and not least the announcement to charge VAT on school fees could be a sign that charities across the board may find changes to what is deemed to be charitable activities.
Recognising the significant contribution and the vital role charities play in society and as part of our mixed economy, it is important that we seek to support them, be it as a volunteer, by donating or fundraising or even considering becoming a trustee or board member.
As specialist accountants and tax advisers to the sector we believe that we play a key role in not only providing assurance but also in understanding the challenges clients face and being able to provide support and advice. This often being critical to and welcomed by stretched teams and Boards with pressures on thinking space for longer term planning.
See this column in the September issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
Ruth Todd CBE will join Rolls-Royce SMR’s Executive Team as operations and supply chain director at this pivotal period for the organisation, with an immediate focus on the industrialisation and scale up of its small modular reactor (SMR).
Ruth, who is a well-known and respected major programmes professional with an impressive track record in leadership and delivery, will begin her role on 30 September. In previous roles, Ruth was chief commercial officer for the UK Government HS2 programme and, before that, the Covid-19 UK Vaccine Task Force, where she led the programme to deliver coronavirus vaccines for the UK.
Rolls-Royce SMR Chief Executive, Chris Cholerton, said: “I am delighted to welcome Ruth to the team at this important time. Much of our work in recent years has been on product development and securing contract certainty – as we make meaningful progress on both, our emphasis moves to the industrialisation and significant scale-up ahead of us.
“Ruth’s experience and expertise in complex infrastructure programmes will further strengthen our leadership team as we focus on de-risking the challenges ahead and implementing our industrialisation plan.”
Ruth Todd CBE, Rolls-Royce SMR operations and supply chain director, added: “We have an opportunity at Rolls-Royce SMR to transform power generation and provide clean, sustainable energy for generations to come. I am excited by the opportunity to bring my experience in infrastructure delivery to the business and support its future growth and success as we shift into a project delivery organisation at home and overseas.”
The Rolls-Royce SMR is the first nuclear power station to be designed and built in the UK for over a generation and 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.
Bloor Homes has announced it is a company supporter of The Lighthouse Construction Charity, the charity dedicated to the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing of construction workers and their families.
Hannah Burgess, HR Director at Bloor Homes, said: “The Lighthouse’s mission is very clear. It shows that every day two construction workers in the UK take their own life, while stress, depression and anxiety accounts for 27% of all work-related illness in the industry. The Charity has set out to reduce the number of construction industry suicides and improve workforce in a number of ways.
“As well as its free 24/7 helpline it provides free and accessible key support services for everyone in the industry – and their families – and it addresses the root causes early on, tackling three areas of wellbeing: emotional, physical and financial early on to drive change.”
For example, alongside its crucial ‘Get Help Now’ resources, support extends to providing aid to families in crisis from food to financial support, and critical interventions when required.
For those struggling physically or financially, The Lighthouse can help on a wider range of issues from requiring occupational health support or struggling with addiction, to debt management and retirement planning.
In addition, the Charity is pioneering awareness at all levels across the industry via its Wellbeing Academy. It offers a range of courses designed to promote understanding around people’s own mental health whilst also providing them with the skills and knowledge to look out for colleagues.
And The Lighthouse is taking awareness to the frontline of construction through its #makeitvisible campaign, travelling to construction sites around the country to ‘meet the boots on the ground and get them talking’.
Hannah continues: “This aspect of the charity’s work really impressed us as it brings it to everyone working on our sites whether they are directly employed, contracted or subcontracted. It’s an all-encompassing approach. We are looking forward to rolling out a series of dedicated site visits from The Lighthouse in the coming months.”
The visits will include a ‘Toolbox Talk’ and the opportunity for a one-to-one chat.
Meanwhile Bloor Homes is also ensuring teams across its regional head offices and extended site teams are aware of the Charity and its work by sharing communications with every person working with the developer. By doing so, Bloor Homes aims to create – and reiterate – as many opportunities for people to access as much support as possible, complementing its established Employee Assistance Programme.
Long-established Derby agencies Balls2 Marketing and Koobr, are merging to create a super agency under ‘The Koobr Group’ umbrella.
With both agencies already working in strategic partnership, the merger is set to combine the strengths of both companies, forming a full-service agency that will serve clients across the East Midlands and beyond with next-level marketing, PR and digital expertise.
Craig Barker, Director and Founder of Koobr, and Katie Bregazzi, Director at Balls2 Marketing, will lead the new entity, bringing together their vast experience and vision. The founders of Balls2 Marketing, Sarah and Andy Ball, will continue to step back from daily operations and remain involved in strategy.
Craig Barker said: “This union is the culmination of years of experience, expertise and collaboration, and we are excited to move forward as a united team. By joining forces in this new chapter, we are creating a powerhouse agency that will provide even greater value to our clients and the local community across the East Midlands and further afield.”
The merger is expected to have a positive impact in Derby. The group will not only create new job opportunities, but also contribute to driving growth across the local business arena.
Sarah Ball said: “After a hugely successful collaboration, this is a perfect opportunity to combine the strengths of the two companies on a formal basis. I am looking forward to the opportunities this will bring to the people that work at both agencies, the clients and the wider community.”
A logistics giant has taken a new Nottingham office.
Wincanton, the supply chain partner for British business, providing supply chain solutions up and down the country, has moved into the 5,454 sq ft Unit 2B office building at Vickery Way in Chilwell, Nottingham.
The BREEAM ‘Excellent’ office is a two-storey building set in the heart of Chetwynd Business Park on the edge of Nottingham and just three miles south-east of Junction 25 of the M1. It has 21 car parking spaces.
The deal was brokered by NG Chartered Surveyors’ Associate Director Charlotte Steggles, on behalf of a private landlord.
Charlotte said: “Unit 2B is one of two eco-friendly office buildings located in the most prominent position on the 8 acre Chetwynd Business Park at the corner of Palmer Road and Vickery Way at the main entrance to the development.
“We’re delighted to get this deal over the line; it means our landlord client has the very highest quality tenant in Wincanton and it goes to show that this standard of office space will always prove popular with ambitious companies. It’s been a great deal all round.”
AG Corporate Law, a boutique law firm based in Mansfield, has relocated its office headquarters to a larger space, a move driven by the firm’s continued growth and expanding client base.
Founded in 2023, by Adam Gilbert, AG Corporate Law is a boutique firm specialising in corporate and commercial law. Over the past two years, the firm has quickly carved a niche for itself and has orchestrated a number of significant transactions with notable deals including the successful sales of Vision Surveys, Midoil Holdings Ltd and JAC Electricals.
The new office, Birch House, located at Ransom Wood Business Park in Mansfield offers 1,000 square feet of modern workspace designed to enhance client service and accommodate the firm’s growing team.
The larger office includes a dedicated meeting space, providing a more comfortable and professional setting for client consultations, strategy sessions, and team collaborations.
Adam Gilbert, Managing Director at AG Corporate Law, said: “We are excited about this move and what it means for the future of AGCL. Our business is going from strength to strength and the new office allows us to continue providing high-quality legal services in an environment that reflects our growth and dedication to our clients.”
Shirebrook-based Frasers Group has acquired St Nicholas Arcade in Lancaster, strengthening its commitment to physical retail in the UK.
The 160,000 sq ft shopping centre is a key retail destination in the historic heart of Lancaster, and home to major UK high street tenants.
With an annual footfall of almost 4 million visitors, this acquisition reinforces Frasers’ focus on expanding its real estate portfolio in the UK.
Michael Murray, CEO of Frasers Group plc, said: “At Frasers, we have always been strong believers in physical retail, and this acquisition demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting brick-and-mortar in the UK.
“By acquiring key retail sites, we are able to unlock new growth opportunities and revitalise high streets across the country, delivering unparalleled shopping experiences for consumers. This acquisition is also another step in developing our Property segment, which is set to deliver significant long-term value for the Group.”
Frasers Group was advised by James Keany, Executive Director, Head of National Agency at CBRE on this acquisition.
Manx Financial Group, the holding company providing diversified financial services to the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom, has acquired the remaining 49.9% interest in Leicestershire-based Payment Assist. The Group will now hold 100% of Payment Assist.
On 16 May 2022, the Group announced an agreement to acquire a 50.1% interest in Payment Assist by Manx Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary. The Group also announced Manx Ventures had entered into an Option to acquire the remaining shareholding in Payment Assist for £5 million at any time for a period of two years after publication by Payment Assist of its audited accounts for the period to 31 December 2024.
Neil Jeffery and Colin Ellard are set to resign as directors of Payment Assist, whilst Group employees James Smeed and Marcus Gregory will remain on the Board of Directors. Mr Jeffrey will be retained on a consultancy arrangement.
Commenting on the acquisition, Douglas Grant, CEO of the Group, said: “We have worked with Payment Assist for over nine years through our banking subsidiary, Conister Bank Limited and held a majority stake in the business for over two years.
“During this time, we have grown the business, and it now makes sound financial sense for the Group to bring forward its opportunity to acquire the remaining shareholding. Payment Assist’s customer focused, short-term lending products remain in great demand during these uncertain economic times.
“This is a major acquisition for the Group, not only in terms of deploying our liquidity safely, but also in continuing to progress our growth strategy in niche markets.”
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