Howes Percival’s corporate team has closed £828 million worth of deals in the last financial year, driven by sustained expansion and increasing demand for specialist legal services. The team now comprises 10 partners and 37 staff across the firm’s offices, following four years of strategic investment.

Growth has been fuelled by a rising volume of complex, high-value transactions and strengthened by expertise in key sectors including automotive, technology, food and beverage, healthcare, development, and tourism. The firm also operates a dedicated banking and finance service for both lenders and borrowers.

Notable recent transactions include the acquisition of Central Foods by Gressingham Foods, Group 1 Automotive UK’s multiple acquisitions, and the sale of Bluesky International to US-based Woolpert. Other high-profile deals involved C. Brewer & Sons, QTS Limited, BGIS, and Hancock & Gore.

The performance cements Howes Percival’s position as a key legal advisor on M&A activity and corporate transactions across its regional strongholds.

Derby-based construction firm East Midlands Masonry Ltd is celebrating after its growing order book sailed past the £2.5m milestone before its first anniversary.

Since its launch in June 2024, East Midlands Masonry has experienced significant growth, securing a strong pipeline of projects and reinforcing its reputation in the construction sector.

Having successfully delivered developments worth almost £2m already in the past six months, the firm – headquartered at Cardinal Square, Derby – now boasts an order book exceeding £2.5m.

Business has been buoyed in part thanks to the team’s strong relationship with a Leeds-based care provider, which has led to the ongoing construction of three care homes – in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Oadby, in Leicestershire, and Worksop, in Nottinghamshire.

Specialising in commercial projects, East Midlands Masonry serves a diverse client base, including healthcare facilities, schools and Ministry of Defence developments.

The company employs 16 permanent staff alongside a team of trusted subcontractors to deliver high-quality brickwork and blockwork contracts.

Managing director Robert Hodgkinson expressed confidence in the firm’s outlook following just one year since incorporation.

Entrepreneurs Circle (EC), the private organisation dedicated to helping business owners grow, has appointed Press For Attention PR to lead its public relations strategy. The strategic partnership comes as EC makes a £5 million investment in its new 15,000 sq ft national headquarters on Blythe Valley Business Park (Solihull). Led by Greg Simpson, a former business journalist and published author on PR with two decades of experience, Nottingham-based Press For Attention PR will spearhead EC’s media relations as the organisation expands its physical presence and drives forward with its new in-person training programme, EC Plus+. “This partnership represents a perfect alignment of vision,” said Nigel Botterill, founder and CEO of Entrepreneurs Circle. “Greg’s background as a journalist gives him a unique perspective that will help us communicate our ambitious growth plans and he is fully immersed in how we think and operate here.” EC’s new headquarters (Nelson House) triples the size of their previous space, serving as the permanent base for EC’s operations and housing their new EC Plus+ in-person training programme. Hundreds of members have already visited with thousands more workshop spaces booked up for the year. “Entrepreneurs Circle has always been about helping business owners break through barriers to growth,” said Simpson. “My mission has always been to help entrepreneurs break the media ceiling and get the attention they deserve. Together, we can create something truly transformational for the EC community.” Simpson brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously chaired press conferences for business leaders including Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. The partnership will focus on amplifying EC’s message and expanding its reach as the organisation continues to grow its membership base. With over 3,000 EC Plus+ sessions already booked by members for 2025, the new headquarters is quickly becoming a hub for entrepreneurial activity. “As we elevate EC to the next level, we need someone who gets us and can match that ambition in our media strategy,” explains managing director, Cameron Botterill. “Importantly, Greg is equally as passionate about entrepreneurship as he is PR, leading our Nottingham and Derby EC Local events – that’s critical.” “Our new HQ and investment is about way more than bricks and mortar,” concludes Nigel. “It’s a platform. It’s a signal of intent. It’s EC, turned up a notch. Having Greg on board ensures our story reaches the audiences who need to hear it most.”

Over 200 young people in Chesterfield have taken part in the Careers Made in Chesterfield (CMiC) programme this year, as part of a coordinated push to align local talent development with the needs of employers in high-growth sectors.

The initiative, delivered by Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP) and funded by Chesterfield Borough Council, is now in its second year. It forms part of the borough’s wider Skills Action Plan, designed to ensure that education provision keeps pace with economic demand. This year, CMiC expanded its focus beyond construction to include engineering, manufacturing, health, science, and social care.

Employers played a central role through site visits, mentoring, and project-based workshops. Local businesses, including Triton Construction, Thomas Bow City Asphalt, Stepnell, and United Cast Bar, hosted students on live sites, while others contributed to industry-led simulations and career activities.

Fifteen employers have engaged directly in 2025, supported by institutions such as Chesterfield College and the University of Derby. The programme has delivered 20 work placements and engaged over 200 students across three schools.

For businesses, the programme provides a direct channel to influence the future talent pool while addressing long-term skills needs in the region. More firms are being encouraged to take part in 2026.

A new study from the University of Nottingham reveals that the UK’s top 10 asset managers, representing a combined £584 billion in assets, are failing to integrate public health considerations into their responsible investment strategies fully.

The research, backed by the Health Foundation, evaluated asset managers’ disclosures across 14 key public health themes, including antimicrobial resistance, nutrition, mental health, employment, and water pollution. While some firms reported on select issues, none consistently or comprehensively addressed all themes.

Only two asset managers identified health as a priority within their ESG frameworks. Of those, only one had a dedicated health policy, and that policy covered only two health-related areas. Issues such as air pollution, gambling, and obesity received limited or no reporting across the group.

The findings highlight significant gaps in how health risks associated with investment decisions are assessed and disclosed. Researchers argue that investor inaction in this space not only overlooks substantial public health impacts but also misses potential financial risks associated with harmful commercial activities.

The study calls for stronger accountability and more robust health-focused ESG integration to position public health as a material concern within investment risk frameworks. The full report is available online.