Monday, November 3, 2025

East Midlands innovation firms benefit from £80 million investment fund

April Lara
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East Midlands innovation firms benefit from £80 million investment fund

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II has provided a major boost to the East Midlands’ business community, helping firms across manufacturing, medical technology and construction accelerate growth since its launch in February 2024.

Administered by the British Business Bank, the fund has deployed over £50 million in direct investment and attracted an additional £30 million in private sector backing. The result is more than 180 smaller businesses gaining access to vital finance across the Midlands, with a strong showing from East Midlands innovators.

Among the region’s recipients, University of Nottingham spin-out Forge Genetics secured £2 million to advance its gene editing research. Sleaford Building Services received £750,000 to fund expansion and increase capacity, while medical packaging specialist Shawpak in Derbyshire obtained £500,000 to upgrade its facilities and meet growing demand.

The investment has reinforced the East Midlands’ reputation for research-led innovation and agile manufacturing. Many of the businesses supported are developing technologies and processes with national and global potential.

Keira Shepperson, Senior Investment Director at the British Business Bank, said, “The East Midlands has a strong track record in innovation, as shown by the firms the Fund has been able to invest in. From cutting edge medical technologies to evolving manufacturing and construction firms, the region is pushing through and bringing new ways of working to life. The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II is here to back that sense of ambition and entrepreneurial spirit. We look forward to continuing to support these firms and more as they gear up for 2026.”

Part of the Bank’s £1.6 billion Nations and Regions Investment Funds, the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II provides loans and equity investment ranging from £25,000 to £5 million through accredited regional fund managers. The initiative is designed to diversify finance options and strengthen the East Midlands’ role in the UK’s innovation economy.

Derbyshire firm helps preserve national icon

Tess Egginton
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Derbyshire firm helps preserve national icon
As the nation prepares to mark Trafalgar Day on 21st October, a Derbyshire engineering company is playing its part in preserving the very ship at the heart of the famous battle. Acres Engineering, based in Melbourne near Derby, has supplied its heavy-duty StrongHold Trestles to support HMS Victory’s massive masts and yards (spars) during vital conservation work at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Some of the spars measure up to 23 metres long and weigh up to 2.5 tonnes. The project, known as HMS Victory: The Big Repair, is the most significant conservation programme in the ship’s 250-year history. Despite the scale of the work, the vessel remains open to visitors, giving the public a rare opportunity to see heritage being preserved in real time. Stuart Sheldon, Lead Rigger on the project, said: “Acres’ willingness to explore options and provide the best value for money was very reassuring. The trestles have ensured the spars can be safely and efficiently inspected, and their aftercare has been excellent.” Acres Engineering also donated an additional set of trestles to further support the conservation work. Luke Parker, Managing Director of Acres Engineering, said: “It is an honour for our team to support the restoration of HMS Victory. To be part of preserving such a national icon — and to release this news as the country commemorates Trafalgar Day — makes us especially proud.” The announcement follows Acres Engineering’s recent visit to the Houses of Parliament for the Ada Lovelace Day reception, where the company added its voice to the call for greater diversity and opportunity in UK manufacturing.

Construction begins on new family contact centre in Worksop

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Construction begins on new family contact centre in Worksop
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has started works for a new purpose-built family contact centre in Worksop, providing vital support services for vulnerable children, young people, and families across the county. The energy-efficient facility is being designed, project, and cost managed by Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, and is expected to be complete by summer 2026. The new centre, which was procured under the SCAPE Regional Construction framework will offer a significantly improved setting for supervised contact visits, safeguarding and educational services, including private contact rooms, two conference rooms, kitchen facilities and a secure outdoor play area, creating a calm and welcoming environment for families and professionals. The development, which replaces an outdated bungalow accommodation building, will be a single storey steel frame structure, with external brick walls. Landscaping and car parking will also be included in the scheme. The building will host a number of features that reduce electricity demand from the grid and improve energy security for the Council. The building will feature 25 sq m of photovoltaic panelling to locally generate electricity, a high-performance building fabric and high efficiency mechanical and electrical plant, including air source heat pumps, contributing to Nottinghamshire County Council’s wider strategy of investing in sustainable, modern public service buildings that are cost efficient to run. Andy Sewards, group chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are proud to be working alongside Arc Partnership and Nottinghamshire County Council on this vital project that will positively impact the lives of families across the county. “The new facility will not only provide a safe, secure, and comfortable space for children and families, but it’s also being constructed with energy-efficiency and long-term sustainability in mind. “As a local contractor, we are equally pleased to be providing social value initiatives within the community and employment and apprenticeship opportunities for young people, helping develop future talent in the local construction industry.” Councillor Mick Barton, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Supporting the most vulnerable children, young people and families in our community is a key priority. This new space will provide essential services in a much better environment and the chance to meet with social workers in a welcoming and calm place to help put everyone more at ease. “The new, fit-for-purpose building with a secure play area is vital, and only a stone’s throw away from the current location. As the contact centre will use less energy because of the way it has been designed, we’ll save money on bills and this investment is also good news for the local supply chain, as there’ll be many contract opportunities to help get the building fully ready.”

North Lincolnshire positioned for major AI investment

April Lara
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North Lincolnshire positioned for major AI investment

Northern Lincolnshire is being considered as a potential artificial intelligence growth zone, a move that could make it one of Europe’s largest data centre hubs. The proposed Northern Lincolnshire AI Growth Zone (NLAIGZ), led by North Lincolnshire Council and developer Greystoke, would include several large-scale AI data centres and attract over £20 billion in private investment.

If approved, the project is expected to create 15,650 jobs by 2029, including 14,000 in construction and 1,650 operational roles. The facilities would provide around 2.5 GW of computing capacity—nearly double that of the existing London cluster—and form part of the UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan.

Key locations under review include the A15 Elsham Wolds Industrial Estate and land near the A180 at South Killingholme. The Elsham site has drawn scrutiny from local water companies regarding flooding and supply concerns, though the developer has stated that water-efficient cooling systems will be used.

Officials say aligning AI and data infrastructure with the region’s offshore wind and carbon capture industries could help secure long-term energy resilience, encourage investment in clean power, and promote local use of Scunthorpe-produced steel. If designated an AI growth zone, North Lincolnshire would join national efforts to expand the UK’s digital infrastructure and regional economic development.

£1.8m boost for Nottingham’s cycling and walking network

April Lara
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£1.8m boost for Nottingham’s cycling and walking network

The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has allocated more than £1.8 million to enhance walking and cycling routes in Nottingham. The investment forms part of a regional effort to improve active travel infrastructure and reduce transport emissions.

Pending approval by Nottingham City Council’s Executive Board, £1.3 million of the funding will be directed toward improvements along Gregory Boulevard between the A60 Mansfield Road and Noel Street. The works are expected to include new pedestrian crossings, upgraded cycle paths, and resurfaced routes linking key education, leisure, and transport hubs such as Nottingham Trent University, Forest Recreation Ground, and The Forest Park & Ride.

The project also aligns with a £2.6 million upgrade to The Forest Sports Zone, which was approved earlier in the year. Combined, these initiatives are designed to strengthen local connectivity, encourage low-carbon travel, and support regeneration across Nottingham’s communities.

A public consultation will precede construction, allowing residents and businesses to provide input on the final plans. Once approved, the scheme will contribute to the city’s long-term objectives for safer streets, cleaner air, and more sustainable transport options.

Leicestershire to host new £35m Centrica Net Zero training academy

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Leicestershire to host new £35m Centrica Net Zero training academy
Centrica is to develop a new £35m training academy and energy transition research laboratory in Lutterworth, which will open in May 2026. Centrica Energy Park will see thousands of engineers trained each year in the skills necessary to drive the energy transition including heat pumps, EV chargers, solar panels and battery storage. Centrica, owner of British Gas, Hive, and Bord Gais Energy, sees the academy as a key investment in the skills of its 7,000-strong engineer workforce and in the creation of new green jobs in the UK and Ireland. The academy will have a full size ‘eco house’ to demonstrate how all of the skills and capabilities of Centrica’s workforce come together to deliver the home of the future. Additionally, the academy will be home to research laboratories including a Net Zero Lab used to test existing and emerging Net Zero Energy & Heating Technologies, a Diagnostic & Innovation Lab providing business support to British Gas’ engineers and developing bespoke tools and equipment, a Smart Testing Lab providing a controlled environment to develop, test and support new and existing smart metering technologies, a Centrica Business Solutions Controls Lab used to develop and test controls systems for commercial and industrial energy and heating solutions, and a Hive Lab to support the development, testing and quality assurance of new and existing Hive Home products, including EV Chargers. Chris O’Shea, chief executive of Centrica, said: “Creating the well paid, unionised jobs needed to drive the energy transition is one of the biggest tasks facing the energy industry today. “Our state of the art facility in Lutterworth will set a new benchmark for industry training, providing our engineers with the skills and confidence to deliver the first-class service our customers rightly expect and with more engineers trained in green skills, our energy transition will be more achievable. “We already have four award winning academies in Dartford, Hamilton, Leicester and Thatcham and since 2021, we’ve welcomed over 1,700 new apprentices. “We’re committed to hiring a new apprentice for every day of this decade and our new academy will help us meet that ambition whilst also supporting the drive to diversify the UK’s engineering workforce, and our research labs will drive the innovation necessary to make sure we deliver a just transition which leaves no-one behind.” Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, said: “I am really pleased to welcome Centrica’s groundbreaking £35m Net Zero Training Academy to Lutterworth. This is all about developing the relevant skills of the future and fostering innovation. “This state-of-the-art facility will empower thousands of engineers with essential green skills. It’s a great example of industry leading the way in sustainable innovation right here in South Leicestershire.” Centrica’s new training academy will officially open and welcome engineers from May 2026. The existing Leicester Academy will be integrated into the new facility as part of the transition. The new facility will be 40% larger than the existing British Gas academy in Leicester, allowing for increased training capacity.

Lincolnshire named key training hub in UK’s clean energy jobs plan

April Lara
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0
Lincolnshire named key training hub in UK’s clean energy jobs plan

The UK government has outlined a major expansion of the clean energy workforce, targeting 400,000 new jobs by 2030. The initiative aims to double employment in renewable, wind, solar, and nuclear sectors to around 860,000 positions within five years.

Among the regions set to benefit, Lincolnshire has been named one of three pilot locations for new “technical excellence colleges.” The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed £2.5 million in funding for pilot facilities across Lincolnshire, Cheshire, and Pembrokeshire, aimed at training workers in critical trades such as plumbing, electrical work, and welding.

The investment is expected to strengthen Lincolnshire’s clean energy supply chain, supporting local firms involved in offshore wind and solar development along the county’s coast. Regional employers will have access to a broader pool of skilled workers equipped for the growing demands of the energy transition.

The broader strategy includes retraining oil and gas workers, with £20 million in joint funding from the UK and Scottish governments, and new pathways for veterans, ex-offenders, and school leavers to enter the clean energy workforce.

Government data shows average salaries in the sector exceed £50,000, well above the national average. Officials said the plan will boost regional economies, particularly in areas like Lincolnshire that already play a pivotal role in the nation’s renewable infrastructure.

Loughborough University secures approval for 552-bed student scheme

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Loughborough University secures approval for 552-bed student scheme

Loughborough University has secured approval for a divisive, 552-bed student accommodation scheme.

The site for the accommodation lies in the Central Park area of the Loughborough campus, close to the Edward Herbert Building. It includes the existing Car Park 5 as well as land adjacent to it, including the parts of the campus previously occupied by the Graham Oldham and Chemistry buildings, both of which have already been demolished. The new accommodation would replace existing stock on campus that has reached its end of life. The 552 bedspaces would be provided across five blocks of four and six storeys, complemented by amenity areas, quiet study zones and a shared plaza. Objections to the scheme have arisen over access, traffic and parking, how the blocks overlook adjacent houses, and potential noise and light pollution.

Grainger exits UK market with sale of Cromwell to Aurelius

April Lara
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0
Grainger exits UK market with sale of Cromwell to Aurelius

US maintenance, repair, and operations supplier Grainger has agreed to sell its UK arm, Cromwell, to private equity firm Aurelius as part of its plan to withdraw from the British market and concentrate on North America and Japan.

Based in Leicester, Cromwell is one of the UK’s largest independent MRO suppliers, employing more than 2,000 people and generating over £230 million in annual sales. The business, founded in 1970, was acquired by Grainger in 2015 for £310 million.

Grainger said the decision reflects its shift toward regions where it sees the strongest long-term growth. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close within the coming months.

The US group anticipates a non-cash after-tax loss of between $190 million and $205 million as a result of the UK exit, with most of the impact to be recognised in the third quarter of 2025.

The divestment follows Grainger’s earlier move to shut down its Zoro UK e-commerce business, marking a continued retreat from the British market as it narrows its focus to higher-performing international operations.

Sherwood Forest MP visits Harrier Park to celebrate regeneration milestone

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Sherwood Forest MP visits Harrier Park to celebrate regeneration milestone
Representatives from Clowes Developments have welcomed Michelle Welsh, MP for Sherwood Forest, to Harrier Park, Hucknall, a site rooted in the region’s aerospace and engineering legacy, as part of a continued commitment to champion regional regeneration, job creation, and inward investment. Michelle Welsh MP toured the Harrier Park site on Wednesday 8th October to see first-hand the transformational progress being made at the former Rolls-Royce site by the new owners, Clowes Developments. Once a dormant industrial area, Harrier Park is now emerging as a key strategic employment hub for the East Midlands and further afield with major investment unlocking opportunities for local and national businesses of varying sizes. During the visit, discussions focused on celebrating Hucknall’s rich aerospace heritage (including the site’s link to the Rolls-Royce Harrier Jump Jet Engine and the creation of the nearby Hucknall Flight Test Museum), the socio-economic impact of regenerating previously brownfield land, the scale and ambition of Clowes Developments’ investment (providing infrastructure and enabling occupation with a 36-week delivery programme), and attracting high-value occupiers and creating hundreds of skilled jobs, utilising a healthy local work force in logistics, manufacturing, engineering, and office-based roles. Michelle Welsh MP said: “Harrier Park is a shining example of how we can honour our industrial past while building a strong, sustainable future. This regeneration brings real opportunity for Hucknall and the wider Ashfield area, through jobs, investment and innovation.” Kevin Webster, associate development director at Clowes Developments, added: “It was a pleasure to welcome Michelle Welsh MP to Harrier Park and share the progress we’ve made. “We’ve worked hard to expedite the site’s potential and create a high-quality, strategically located development that meets the needs of today’s businesses. This isn’t just about building, it’s about long-term economic growth, skilled employment and putting Hucknall firmly on the map as a place where business can thrive.” Clowes Developments are working in partnership with FHP Property Consultants and Fisher German to market the site with units available from 60,000 to 206,000 sq ft.
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