The Leicester and Leicestershire Careers Hub has secured funding to deliver a two-year project across the region helping to bring new talent to emerging digital sectors.
We Discover Digital will create opportunities for local young people to increase their awareness and understanding of vocational and technical routes into cyber and digital careers.
It will focus on five areas that are experiencing growth but report struggling to attract young talent – Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Games Design and Animation, Programming and Coding and Esports.
The programme will require support from local employers to ensure young people are exposed to workplaces and employer-led activities that will link up to digital apprenticeship and T Level opportunities.
Gerarde Manley, Strategic Careers Hub Lead, said: “We are reaching out to local businesses to support the project and inspire the future workforce. Our research shows that the digital sector is a key growth sector in Leicester and Leicestershire.
“To maximise that potential, we need to demonstrate to young people the breadth of opportunities available in the digital sector – this programme is specifically designed to do that while boosting the future talent pipeline.
“Currently there are 7,800 high-value jobs, with the potential to deliver a further 2,300 jobs and £270 million of regional growth by 2030.”
The support of local businesses is needed to offer flexible workplace experiences, parent/carer information sessions, and industry insight sessions for lecturers.
The project will start this autumn and focus on Year 12 and 13 students. Businesses that sign up will be offered support throughout the process.
Four stages will make up the programme:
De-coding digital pathways: Teachers, careers leaders and educators will learn about digital industry careers.
Digital Speed Trials: Work experience placements within the sector.
Digital VIP events: Visiting employers that hosted work placements and developing knowledge built up during earlier stages.
Digital Application Bootcamps: Young people supported with applying for technical routes into digital careers.
Howes Percival has recruited Partner Piet van Gelder as the firm’s first ever Head of Construction, to meet the growing demand for construction law services.
Based in the East Midlands, Piet is a specialist construction and engineering lawyer who advises clients in the construction, engineering and renewable energy sectors and in respect of compliance with the new regime under the Building Safety Act.
Piet has experience over the whole lifecycle of projects from compliance with building regulations, procurement and resolving commercial issues and project accounts.
Piet has been involved with many engineering projects outside the renewables sector including nuclear waste plants, process engineering plants, sequence batch reactors and waste to energy plants.
He has been involved in substantial disputes in the Technology & Construction Court and in international & domestic arbitration, as well as an experienced practitioner in adjudication and a keen proponent of mediation.
Piet is a director of Procon Leicestershire and Chair of the East Midlands Chamber of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Lucy Lord, Partner and Head of Property at Howes Percival, said: “We are delighted to welcome Piet to Howes Percival to head up and grow our construction offering. Piet has a wealth of experience and a strong client following.
“He is a great recruit for us and brings the calibre and credibility we need to align with the strength of our development team and take our proposition to the next level. The local and national market in development terms remains very strong and we are seeing our development instructions increase quarter on quarter.
“As a result, we need to expand our construction offering which is a critical specialism for our development clients.”
The CEO of Menphys will leave his role after six years at the award-winning charity.
Ian Caldwell has led Menphys – which supports children and young people with disabilities – since November 2018. He will leave in October.
The charity’s joint-Chairs Wyn Rees and Lisa Franklin praised the CEO’s dedication and commitment.
“Ian has been committed to our vision of creating a future full of equal choices and opportunities for children and young people with disabilities and their families,” he said. “He has worked very hard to help empower them to live as ordinary lives as possible.
“His leadership has enabled the charity to continue its vital work supporting thousands of local people, despite the many challenges faced during his time as CEO.
“Ian leaves with our appreciation and we wish him the best of luck in his new role.”
Ian moved into the charity sector after extensive experience in operations management within the private sector. His leadership career in the charity sector began soon after Menphys had its funding removed by Leicestershire County Council. The charity was faced with finding new ways of sourcing the funds needed to ensure its vital services could continue.
Ian led Menphys through the Pandemic, helping children and young people with disabilities – and their families – access support at a difficult time.
The charity has also received a number of honours during his time as CEO. Menphys received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021. It is the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Ian said: “I have been lucky enough to lead a fantastic team in the staff and volunteers that make Menphys what it is.
“Throughout my time here, the children, young people and families we support have been my motivation.
“This charity does wonderful work for wonderful people who aren’t always given the opportunities they deserve.
“I know it will continue towards its vision and have a positive impact upon thousands of local people as it does.”
Ian will begin his new role as CEO of Leicestershire Education Business Company (LEBC) in October.
The Menphys Board has now begun the recruitment process for a new CEO.
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Manns Pharmacy in Carlton, Nottinghamshire.
Manns is a standard hours community pharmacy that dispenses an average of 2,800 items per month. It is located in the residential area of Carlton, a suburb north-east of Nottingham city centre, between the suburbs of Mapperley and Gedling.
The pharmacy has been owned by Gurinder Singh Mann for over 20 years and was brought to market to enable retirement.
Following a confidential sales process with Carl Steer at Christie & Co, and with funding sourced through Joe Carden at Christie Finance Unsecured, it has been purchased by Leicester-based first-time buyer, Ravi Bansal.
Carl Steer, Director – Pharmacy at Christie & Co, says: “We have been working with and advising Mr Mann for some years, so it is nice to bring another sale to completion for him following the sale of his Mapperley branch last year. Demand remains in the market for sub £1 million pharmacies right across the Midlands, however correct pricing has become an important aspect of the current market.”
Joe Carden, Senior Finance Consultant at Christie Finance, says: “Ravi is a very experienced pharmacist and owning a pharmacy had been a goal of hers for some years, so it was a delight to assist her in this purchase. We were able to secure 80 per cent of the purchase price via an unsecured loan to allow her to complete her first purchase.
“Lender appetite is strong for first-time pharmacy purchasers; however, detailed information is key for a successful application. The more a lender can understand the applicant, their experience, and how they are going to run the pharmacy, such as what new ideas they’ll implement and how they manage the business day to day, the higher likelihood of approval.”
Manns Pharmacy was sold for an undisclosed price.
Sixty-eight jobs in Lincolnshire have been saved following the pre-pack sale of the Burdens Group.
Headquartered in Boston, the company supplied a wide range of farm and groundcare machinery from leading manufacturers including New Holland, Horizon, Amarzone and JPM Trailers. From tractors and combine harvesters to trailers and mowers, its customers included farmers, groundcare professionals and potato growers across the UK.
The Burdens Group offered both new and used agricultural machinery for sale from its depots in Sutterton, North Kyme, Louth and Brigg. It also had a division providing agricultural machinery for hire.
The company began to experience financial difficulties due to the pressures facing the farming sector following poor weather during 2023 and 2024, resulting in poor crop yields, and this was exacerbated by changes to EU subsidies. These issues resulted in farmers reducing their investment in new machinery which had a significant impact on the company’s turnover.
Joint administrators Gareth Rusling and Robert Dymond of Begbies Traynor were subsequently appointed as joint administrators on 19th August and a sale of the business and assets was immediately completed to Russell’s (Kirbymoorside) Limited in Malton and Stevenage-based Ernest Doe & Sons Limited, representing the northern and southern sales respectively.
The sales secured 68 jobs therefore reducing total creditor claims.
A significant amount of tangible assets which were not sold to either purchaser will be disposed of by Eddisons Commercial Limited and are likely to be sold via auction.
“Having traded successfully for more than 40 years, the Burdens Group was a victim of problems hitting the farming sector with bad weather and changes to EU subsidies resulting in its key customer base reducing their spend,” explains joint administrator Gareth Rusling of Begbies Traynor. “We worked hard to quickly conclude a sale to two experienced agricultural businesses, and it’s fantastic that the sales have saved the jobs of 68 people.”
Leicester City FC has avoided a points deduction and won its appeal against a decision regarding the Premier League’s jurisdiction over the club’s alleged breach of its Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs).
In March this year, the Premier League referred Leicester City to an independent Commission for an alleged breach of PSRs relating to the assessment period ending financial year 2022/23. Once submitted, the club’s financial results demonstrated that it had exceeded the permitted £105m threshold for the relevant period. PSR rules note that clubs cannot lose more than £105m over a three-season period.
Leicester City subsequently challenged the Commission’s authority to hear the case on the grounds of jurisdiction. This challenge was dismissed by the independent Commission, a decision which Leicester City appealed.
That appeal has been upheld by an independent Appeal Board on the grounds that the club’s accounting period which ended on 30 June 2023, came after the point the club had ceased to be a member of the League.
The Appeal Board’s decision effectively means that, despite the club being a member of the League from Seasons 2019/20 to 2022/23, the League cannot take action against the club for exceeding the relevant PSR threshold in respect of the associated accounting periods.
In a statement the Premier League said: “The Premier League is very disappointed with the Appeal Board’s decision, and the limited reasons provided for it. The League remains of the view that the original Commission took the right approach in interpreting the rules in a practical and workable way that gives effect to their intended purpose.
“In overturning the original Commission’s findings, the Premier League considers the Appeal Board’s decision fails to take into account the purpose of the rules, all relevant parts of the PSRs and the need for effective enforcement of alleged breaches to ensure fairness among all clubs.”
In a statement, Leicester City said: “Leicester City welcomes the Appeal Board’s comprehensive decision, which supports our consistently stated position that any action against the Club should be pursued in accordance with the applicable rules.
“To avoid any misunderstandings which may arise in light of the statement which has been issued by the Premier League in response to the appeal decision, Leicester City wishes to emphasise the finding of the Appeal Panel that, when considering the wording which is actually used in the Premier League rules (in accordance with established principles of English law) the Club did not breach the Premier League PSRs for the assessment period ending 30 June 2023.
“In its decision, the Appeal Board (which was made of up a panel of three experienced, senior lawyers, two of whom are former Court of Appeal judges) identifies flaws in the drafting of the Premier League’s rules. In challenging the Premier League’s attempts to charge Leicester City, the Club has simply sought to ensure (in the interests of providing consistency and certainty for all clubs) that the rules are applied based on how they are actually written.”
Nottingham’s The Compleat Food Group has acquired speciality food producer and distributor Harvey & Brockless.
Harvey & Brockless works with artisan food producers from across the world to deliver the finest speciality cheeses, charcuterie, olives and deli products to its nationwide network of customers, which includes some of the UK’s leading luxury hotels and restaurants, farm shops, delicatessens and food manufacturers.
The company is The Compleat Food Group’s latest strategic acquisition as its continues its journey to become the UK’s number one chilled prepared food company. It follows the acquisition of SK Foods and Zorba Foods, the category leaders in private label chilled party foods and dips and deli fillings, earlier this year.
The Compleat Food Group has expertise in delivering food from across the Mediterranean deli and continental meats categories into retail through its global outsourced model. The addition of Harvey & Brockless to its portfolio will extend The Compleat Food Group’s capabilities, to the benefit of all customers, whilst opening up new markets and customers. It will also see turnover surpass £1 billion.
Employing around 500 people, Harvey & Brockless will continue to operate as its own brand under the leadership of the current management team, led by Simon Yorke, Nick Martin and Jonnie Archer.
The family-owned firm was founded in 1970 in Hailsham, Sussex, growing to become one of the leading suppliers of fine foods to foodservice, with customers including Harrods, The Savoy, Ritz and The Dorchester. In 2018, it opened a new site in the UAE, servicing Emirates and Etihad airlines as well as a number of five-star hotels.
Its range includes the largest collection of British farmhouse cheeses in the UK, Mediterranean deli products from Dell’ami, British cured meats, and its own range of bespoke sauces and dips, produced at its purpose-built site in Evesham, Worcestershire as well as bespoke assembled cheese solutions from its site in Battersea, London.
Nick Field, CEO at The Compleat Food Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome this new addition to The Compleat Food Group. Harvey & Brockless has a long heritage and passion for sourcing the best speciality food from across the UK and the globe for its customers, which aligns perfectly with our mission of creating great quality food that people love to eat.
“The parallels between our two businesses are very strong, and with the fantastic product range of Harvey & Brockless, the acquisition will further extend The Compleat Food Group’s capabilities to the benefit of our existing customers, whilst also opening up new markets and customers for us to delight more consumers through our great tasting food.”
Nick Martin, Managing Director at Harvey & Brockless, said: “Since our early days selling cheese to Harrods, we have been committed to supplying the very best food from our network of artisan food producers in formats that are specific to our customers.
“In The Compleat Food Group we have found a partner who shares our passion for great food and will help us to grow and fulfil our future ambitions. I and the rest of the leadership team are looking forward to working with The Compleat Food Group as we continue on the next stage of Harvey & Brockless’ journey.”
With nominations closing TOMORROW (5th September) for East Midlands Business Link’s prestigious Bricks Awards, don’t miss this opportunity to raise the profile of your business by submitting an entry!
Celebrating the region’s property and construction industry, its people, and outstanding developments, the annual awards attract leaders from across the East Midlands and are the perfect way for businesses to promote the work they are completing and create more buzz.
Award categories include: most active estate 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.
A highlight in the business calendar, winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October (4:30pm – 7:30pm) in the Derek Randall Suite at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of chances to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
The event will additionally feature Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, as keynote speaker.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards)
Nominations end Thursday 5th September
Book your tickets now
Taking place on Thursday 3rd October (4:30pm – 7:30pm) in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 – click here to secure yours.
Connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the exceptional companies and projects in our region.
Chesterfield’s award-winning independent bar and restaurant, Bottle & Thyme has made the move to Elder Way. The move has created six new jobs and prompted seven-day opening for the business.
A 10-year lease on the 3,153 sq ft unit was agreed with Jomast in June. Since then, the frontage and interior of the unit have undergone a complete transformation.
The relocation to Elder Way has tripled the size of the business.
Owners of the business, Gavin and Hannah Grainger have transformed the flagship corner unit of the former Co-op department store on Elder Way into a restaurant, private function room which seats up to 40 people, and bar, with additional outdoor space for dining and drinking.
Already the new function area, The Glass Room is fully booked throughout September.
Gavin explained: “Because of the size of the unit we have been able to zone it internally which has ensured that it still feels intimate. It looks fantastic. Hannah and I are delighted at how everything has gone. The move has been really well received by our customers. We’ve had lots of bookings for the restaurant and function room. We’ve really hit the ground running.”
Mark Hill, Jomast’s Commercial Property Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Bottle & Thyme to Elder Way. Hannah and Gavin have transformed the flagship corner unit of this iconic building, helping further bring our joint vision to life.
“Together with neighboring tenants, Premier Inn and Hotpod Yoga, Bottle & Thyme are creating a new leisure and hospitality quarter in the heart of Chesterfield. It is a very exciting time for this iconic site, and we are talking to a number of future potential tenants keen to take advantage of all that the town and the building can offer their businesses.”
Gavin and Hannah now plan to add further to Chesterfield’s food and drink offering. They have retained Bottle & Thyme’s former location on Knifesmithgate. The premises are now undergoing a transformation into a charcuterie, cheese and wine bar, called Elder, which will open later this year.
Nearly 800 Nottinghamshire businesses have benefitted from free support to improve their energy efficiencies and growth, thanks to the Accelerator project.
The project, which started last autumn and which is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is already making a tangible difference to businesses across the county.
So far, 795 businesses have received an hour or more of business adviser support which guides them in accessing the most appropriate support, whether it be the raft of initiatives that make up the Accelerator project, or local authority or national grant funding.
A total of 65% of businesses supported so far are based in urban areas with the remainder in rural areas. Some 46 businesses have tapped into growth vouchers of up to £2,000 towards specialist training or consultancy advice and the same number have taken advantage of fully subsidised energy audits.
Of the grants so far awarded to participating businesses, it is anticipated that 73 jobs will be created or safeguarded as a result of this support.
East Midlands Chamber Deputy Chief Executive Diane Beresford said: “Accelerator is such a diverse programme. It offers business growth workshops, decarbonisation support and premises audits.
“There are dedicated forum meetings for manufacturers via the East Midlands Manufacturing Network and access to innovation and technology experts plus funding as part of the Made Smarter and Innovate UK Business Growth programmes.
“I truly believe Accelerator offers something for every business, regardless of size. We often think of grant funding being the catalyst for growth, and that is certainly the case, but an energy audit carried out by an expert can also make a sizeable difference to cost reduction.
“The fresh pair of eyes too from a business adviser too can identify valuable opportunities that those fully absorbed in the business might otherwise miss.”
Nottinghamshire County Councillor, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management Keith Girling said: “Small and medium sized businesses are at the heart of our local economy and so it’s great to hear how successful this scheme has been. Ultimately it is helping businesses save money by paying less on energy bills. As a county council we are always keen to help local businesses and their supply chain as much as we can by spending money locally.
“We also offer a free, independent advice for those businesses just starting up or expanding. To complement the Accelerator programme, our expert business advisers can be booked for a one-to-one chat plus we have local business surgeries happening around the county.”
A charity that mentors young people in Nottingham at risk of offending has received a boost from a new partnership with Motorpoint Arena.
Switch Up has become a charity partner of the entertainment venue as they look to raise £550,000 for new premises where they can continue to transform the lives of hundreds of young people.
A new donation feature on all shows when booking online at Motorpoint Arena now gives customers the option to make a charity donation to Switch Up. With around 750,000 visitors through the venue’s doors each year, it is hoped the new partnership can make a real difference.
It comes after the charity’s long-time patrons Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean took part in the launch of a fundraising drive for a new home as the current building is no longer fit for purpose. The National Ice Centre is the home of the ice skating Olympic Champions who continue to inspire the generations that follow them. Their farewell arena spectacular ‘Our Last Dance’ will be the last chance to see the iconic duo before they retire.
Switch Up Community Hub design
Switch Up is looking to raise £550,000 in public donations, business funding and grants, which will help unlock a further £1.6m in grant funding and in-kind provision from the construction industry for its new facility.
The charity founded by Marcellus Baz provides young people with a safe space and support to change their lives whether that may be being low on confidence, having mental health issues or feeling lonely trying to escape violence, gangs, or serious injury.
Dr Marcellus Baz BEM, founder, Switch Up, said: “This partnership with Motorpoint Arena is a real game changer for us. The support and generosity of the Arena and its visitors will enable us to reach our fundraising goals and secure a new space where we can continue our vital work with young people in Nottingham.
“This is more than just a partnership; it’s a powerful collaboration that will allow us to make an even greater impact in our community, transforming lives and offering hope to those who need it most. We are excited about the future and incredibly thankful for this opportunity.”
Martin Ingham, CEO of Motorpoint Arena, said: “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’re thrilled to support Switch Up, an incredible local charity making a profound impact on Nottingham’s young people. Their commitment to the community aligns perfectly with our values and given our location in the city, we have a unique opportunity to give back and create a positive change to those on our doorstep.
“Over the last 24 years, we’ve delivered many initiatives to ensure our local communities can access our facilities and the benefits that brings. We’re delighted to take this next step and would like to encourage everyone to support this local charity which is very much aligned with our own commitment to improving young lives.”
Some of those initiatives include providing the popular holiday club for children eligible for free school meals; concerts for carers and tickets for troops – working with promoters to offer tickets to these groups where possible – plus donating arena and ice skating tickets to charities for raffles and auctions generating hundreds of thousands of pounds for great local causes.
Motorpoint Arena is actively looking at opportunities to bring even more of the local community through the door, during its 25th anniversary celebrations next year.
There are also plans underway to welcome groups of young people from Switch Up to free skating sessions at the National Ice Centre to mark the new partnership, with proven benefits from the physical and social nature of the activity.
Construction works to deliver Phase 2 of industrial and distribution hub, Horizon 29, in Bolsover, Derbyshire, have commenced.
Horizon 29 is a new landmark distribution development located one mile from Junction 29A of the M1. Once fully complete, it will span 1,150,256 sq ft and have a total of eight warehouses, delivered over three phases by McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), on behalf of clients BGO Wire PropCo Ltd and Equation Properties.
Phase 2 is the construction of two single-storey base build distribution warehouses. Units 7 and 8 will be 249,995 sq ft and 249,866 sq ft respectively, and each will include a two-storey office, with associated mechanical and electrical installations, 23 loading docks and a transport office.
The contractor will deliver earthworks, CMC and VSC piling, concrete foundations, steel framing and cladding, lift shaft and stair installations.
All external works are also being undertaken by McLaren (Midlands and North) and include general hard standings, car-parking, landscaping, mains services and drainage. There will be cycle racks for 60 cycles per warehouse and a gate house.
Sustainable features will include solar PVs, air source heat pumps, enhanced cladding, responsibly sourced sustainable materials, LED lighting, electric vehicle charging points, and bird and bat boxes. The units will be constructed to a BREEAM Rating of ‘Excellent,’ with an EPC ‘A’ Rating. Phase 2 has a 49-week build programme.
Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “Horizon 29 is going to be a premier distribution centre for Derbyshire and the wider East Midlands. It provides an ideal opportunity for tenants looking for direct and easy access to the M1 north and south.
“Progressing on to Phase 2, we are building two more units at the site – and as with earlier phases – they will be highly energy efficient buildings, with the potential for the whole of the roofs to be used to gather energy from PV to not only power the units, but to put energy back into the National Grid.
“We were pleased to be working alongside BentallGreenOak and Equation Properties for the next phase of this landmark scheme.”
Phase 1A and 1B of Horizon 29 completed in February of this year, which comprised four warehouse units (units 1, 2, 4 and 5).
The number of East Midlands businesses pursuing a strategy for Green Growth – achieving economic growth without negatively impacting the environment – has increased over the last year, according to new research to be presented at the East Midlands Sustainability Summit at the University of Derby on 12th September.
The joint study conducted by East Midlands Chamber and Derby Business School found the number of businesses across the region that have made income from environmentally friendly goods and services increased 7% over the last year to 43%. Three quarters of large businesses and half of small and medium-sized businesses aim to achieve green growth, against four in ten micro firms.
The Green Growth research findings are among a number of areas that will be addressed at the East Midlands Sustainability Summit, presented by East Midlands Chamber in partnership with the University of Derby. With the aim of addressing ‘climate fatigue’, the summit will bring together industry specialists, academics and the region’s business community to explore how to change working practices to tackle climate change.
Headline findings from Green Growth Trends in the East Midlands 2024 research
Three quarters of large businesses (75%) report they pursue Green Growth
Half of small businesses (50%) are pursuing Green Growth, while 39% of micro and 53% of medium-sized companies adopt the strategy
More than 45% of East Midlands businesses have invested in decarbonisation initiatives over the past 12 months, an increase of 6% on 2023
Seven out of ten large companies invest in decarbonisation
One in three businesses have never engaged in nature-based solutions over the last 12 months
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “The findings from the Green Growth study undertaken by the Chamber in collaboration with the University of Derby are helpful in highlighting not just what businesses have already achieved in their journey toward Net Zero but also the bumps in the road ahead.
“With this research clearly indicating how the size of a business correlates with their preparedness for climate change, the need to get businesses together to unpick these challenges is really underlined. The wide range of speakers on the day will spark insightful discussions that will be of great benefit to the East Midlands business community.”
Derby Business School Associate Professor of Strategy and Sustainability Dr Polina Baranova said: “We’re seeing encouraging indications of Green Growth in the East Midlands. Nationally and in this region, there’s been quite a bit of political uncertainty about the level of support a business can get toward its Green Growth journey, so with that in mind, it’s good to see that businesses in the East Midlands are investing in Green Growth to be more sustainable.
“While figures like three quarters of large businesses adopting Green Growth in the East Midlands can only be a good sign, we need to go further on this journey. It’s notable that the number drops the smaller a business is, with only one in four micro-sized businesses pursuing Green Growth.
“The East Midlands Sustainability Summit is a fantastic opportunity to explore these challenges with the business community and I look forward to sharing my insight into how the difficulties can be overcome.”
Alumasc, the Kettering-based sustainable building products supplier, has hailed a “strong performance” for the year ended 30 June 2024.
The business saw revenue grow by 13% to £100.7m, up from £89.1m in the year prior.
Meanwhile, the firm recorded underlying pre-tax profit of £13m, growing by 16.1% from £11.2m last year and ahead of recently upgraded expectations.
Looking ahead, Alumasc noted it has a clear line of sight of its growth plans, capacity to invest, and opportunity to deliver significant shareholder value.
The firm shared: “While demand headwinds in Alumasc’s commercial markets are likely to persist for the remainder of 2024, we are encouraged by early indicators of easing in planning, improving consumer confidence and the interest rate outlook which suggests an improved trading outlook in due course.
“With the positive trading momentum Alumasc has carried into the new financial year, and the improving economic environment, the Board is optimistic for another year of growth.”
Commenting on the results, Paul Hooper, Chief Executive, said: “We are extremely pleased to report a further upgrade to our 2024 profit, with underlying profit before tax of £13.0m, 16% ahead of the prior year.
“All three divisions saw organic revenue and strong profit growth, a result of continued delivery on our strategic priorities and Alumasc’s position as a market leader in the provision of sustainable products, which provide efficient solutions to the challenges presented by our changing climate.
“Sustainability is at the core of what the construction industry needs to do to address climate change and the Group is well placed to benefit from these long-term growth drivers. This environmental focus, together with an effective commercial strategy, has enabled us to continue to outperform the wider UK construction market.
“Since we completed the strategic acquisition of ARP Group and welcomed our new colleagues, the business has performed extremely well, bringing exciting synergies and opportunities for cross-selling to the business.
“Alumasc’s performance against the backdrop of challenging markets during 2024 shows the business’s quality and as we progress into 2025 we have a clear line of sight of our ambitious growth plans, capacity to invest and opportunity to deliver significant shareholder value.”
Danielle Oum will be the new Chair of Tuntum Housing Association.
She is due to be formally elected at the Annual General Meeting at the end of this month, succeeding Junior Hemans who has been in post since 2015.
Ms Oum is currently Chair of Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board, Chair of Aquarius Charity and a Board member of Fusion21.
She has previously held several NHS Trust Chair roles and served in Chair and Board member positions in a number of housing associations, most recently as Chair of Walsall Housing Group.
Tuntum is one of the largest independent black and minority ethnic (BME) housing providers in the UK.
Founded in 1988, the association owns and manages over 1,600 homes in 12 local authority areas in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire.
Danielle Oum said: “It is a privilege to join as Chair of the Board.
“Following the recent launch of Tuntum’s new Corporate Strategy 2024-2027 which incorporates six clear priorities and a revised vision statement, a roadmap is firmly in place to ensure the association modernises at pace – whilst keeping its soul intact.
“I pay tribute to Junior for guiding Tuntum through this vitally important work alongside Board colleagues, staff and customers.
“His legacy will be long lasting and his contribution to improving life chances in local communities across the East Midlands will never be forgotten.”
Charmaine Simei, Tuntum Chief Executive, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Danielle to the Board.
“She has a strong leadership background in strategic development, stakeholder engagement and transformational change spanning the public, private and voluntary sectors.
“Her breadth of experience will be enormously beneficial to Tuntum as we begin an exciting new chapter of our story.
“Junior has been a uniquely influential figure, not just at Board level but throughout the organisation. I thank him for his remarkable record of service and wish him well for the future.”
Junior Hemans, Tuntum Chair, said: “It has been a great honour to lead the Board for almost a decade.
“There have been many high points in that time, but I believe the best is yet to come for Tuntum.
“I look forward to many more successes with Danielle in the Chair.”
The Tuntum Housing Association Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday 26 September.
An expanding live event production specialist has snapped up a unit on Cotes Park Industrial Estate in Somercotes.
Presentation Design Services Limited has bought the substantial production and storage space at Junction 28 of the M1.
Just under 25,000ft², and on a large site, agents noted the building “sold very quickly.”
The deal was completed by Tim Gilbertson of FHP who said: “It was a pleasure to act on behalf of longstanding clients here having previously let the building for them and indeed sold it to them originally many, many years ago!
“We put this property under offer within a couple of weeks of marketing commencing and having had to turn down subsequent enquiries for it, we remain keen to source other stock in the market to try and meet that ongoing demand.
“Whilst new build space continues to be sought-after, the market for second-hand space continues to be equally strong with weak supply and plenty good enough demand and hopefully this situation will see further deals concluded before the end of the year, albeit as ever more stock is required!”
Property consultancy Fisher German has been appointed to deliver rural property management services to the Church Commissioners for England, the body which administers the property assets of the Church of England and one of the country’s largest landowners.
The five-year contract will see colleagues at Fisher German’s offices in Doncaster, Chester, Ashby, Worcester, and Bedford manage a significant area of rural land and property across England, including across the North and Midlands.
Experts will also provide advice across a variety of specialisms including planning, development, investment, building consultancy, environmental and sustainability, and telecoms.
Fisher German is one of just two consultancies to be awarded a contract to deliver property management services for the Church Commissioners’ farmland portfolio after a competitive tender process.
Fisher German partner Rebecca Ruck-Keene, who is leading on the contract, said: “We are extremely pleased to be awarded this contract by the Church Commissioners for England.
“It is a significant five-year contract which really demonstrates the strength of our rural property team as well as the depth and breadth of the services that we can deliver in-house at Fisher German across a wide geographical spread.
“The Church Commissioners is a charitable organisation which has strong values and is focused on providing high-quality assets for tenants, and they were looking to award this contract to a consultancy which shares those values and maintains a high professional standard.
“It was a competitive tender process, so this news firmly cements us as one of the top multi-disciplinary property consultancies in the UK.”
Joanna Loxton, Head of Land at the Church Commissioners for England, said: “Our two managing agents will work closely with our asset managers and farming tenants to support sustainable farming businesses and food production across our nationwide portfolio of farm holdings.
“We look forward to collaborating with the Fisher German team to continue and grow our programme of tenant engagement and long-term stewardship across our portfolio.”
Ciara Williams, Head of Farmland at the Church Commissioners for England, said: “Regular engagement to understand the individual needs of our farming tenants is a major focus for the Church Commissioners.
“We always strive to share best practice in land management and conservation, and in Fisher German, we have a partner that shares our values of sustainability, collaboration and long-term stewardship.”
Nominations will close in just two days for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024. Ensure to submit your entries for the annual celebration of the property and construction industry by Thursday 5th September.
The Bricks shine a light on the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. We also highlight the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes.
Take this chance to showcase exceptional new commercial and residential developments, those demonstrating a leading position in sustainability and design excellence; gain recognition as outstanding developers, architects, contractors, and agents, as well as for significant deals; and ensure efforts in corporate social responsibility are rewarded, from eco initiatives to charity work, to social value schemes.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include:
Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, with the winner, and recipient of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards)
Nominations end Thursday 5th September
A glittering awards ceremony revealing winners will take place on Thursday 3rd October (4:30pm – 7:30pm) in the Derek Randall Suite at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, also offering the perfect opportunity to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
The event will additionally feature Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, as keynote speaker.
Winners and sponsors at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 – click here to secure yours.
Connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region.
Many businesses across the East Midlands find themselves in highly competitive markets where, no matter what type of advertising they try, it remains difficult to truly stand out and garner significant interest in their product or service without spending a fortune. Often, however, this is because they are looking to relatively conventional strategies and ‘playing it safe’, without realising it.
For example, we see a lot of service businesses uploading a positive customer testimonial quote to their social media, which is extremely ‘safe’. The companies that really stand out have, at least at some point, differentiated themselves from their competitors by adopting unusual and counterintuitive advertising strategies – in other words, by making ‘bold moves’.
We know these types of articles tend to suggest some absolutely wild, unrealistic approaches – such as implementing augmented reality – but we’ll be steering well clear of such things. In this article, we look at three ideas which are practical, easy to integrate, and can help you to improve your advertising effectiveness and return on investment:
AEGION, an Indian company specialising in advanced metallurgy and materials engineering, has joined the Space Park Leicester community at its £100 million state-of-the-art facility.
This strategic collaboration aligns with Space Park Leicester’s research initiatives and the University of Leicester’s School of Engineering, promising exciting advancements in materials science, engineering, and sustainable technologies.
AEGION’s expertise in casting and manufacturing special-grade metals for aerospace, nuclear, and space systems will significantly bolster Space Park Leicester’s research capabilities.
Its advanced work in metallurgy, fatigue analysis, durability, and new material chemistries aligns seamlessly with Space Park Leicester’s focus on material performance and failure analysis under extreme conditions.
Moreover, AEGION’s cutting-edge additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping capabilities will further enhance the University of Leicester’s ongoing research projects in 3D scanning, rapid prototyping, and advanced manufacturing processes.
Vinay Patel, Head of Commercial and Innovation at Space Park Leicester, said: “We are delighted to welcome AEGION to our community. Their expertise and commitment to cutting-edge technology and sustainability align perfectly with our mission to foster world-leading research and innovation in advanced materials and aerospace engineering.
“By joining Space Park Leicester’s vibrant community, AEGION contributes to fostering a rich environment for talent development and knowledge sharing.”
AEGION, renowned for its pioneering work in advanced metallurgy, specialises in developing special-grade alloys and materials-based components tailored for aerospace and defence applications. The company prides itself on its commitment to quality and innovation, with a mission to become India’s leading provider of advanced materials solutions.
Its portfolio includes advanced metallurgical solutions: offering a wide range of steel, nickel, and titanium alloys, both in casting and forging forms, with precision coatings suitable for defence, aerospace, and other sophisticated systems.
Samridhi Shoor, Director of Aegion, said: “We are deeply committed to advancing materials technology for the future of energy and space exploration. Our current focus on developing superior fuel materials and innovative alloys for SMRs, MMRs, and hydrogen propulsion systems positions us to revolutionise the energy landscape.
“Establishing our UK office at Space Park Leicester is a strategic step that will accelerate our R&D efforts and foster vital collaborations. By leveraging the park’s world-class facilities and expertise, we aim to lead the global transition towards sustainable energy solutions and contribute to the advancement of space propulsion systems for indefinite missions.”
The addition of AEGION to the Space Park Leicester community brings the total number of foreign direct investment companies to six, with more potential partners in the pipeline.
Other industry partners co-located at Space Park Leicester include Rolls Royce, Airbus, Earth Sense, UKSA, and more.
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