Derby law firm Flint Bishop has exchanged contracts to acquire the entire business of Lupton Fawcett LLP, which has offices in Leeds, Sheffield, and York.
The transaction, due to complete at the end of September, represents a major milestone in Flint Bishop’s growth strategy.
The deal results in Flint Bishop acquiring the business and assets of a well-established Yorkshire-based law firm with complementary expertise, significantly enhancing its capabilities across commercial, employment, dispute resolution & litigation, property, and private client services, while also introducing new specialisms such as criminal & regulatory, ecclesiastical law, and intellectual property.Upon completion, Flint Bishop will retain all three Lupton Fawcett offices, substantially expanding its footprint across the north of England. Combined with its headquarters in Derby and existing offices in Birmingham, Leeds, and Swansea, the firm will employ over 420 staff and is projected to generate annual turnover well in excess of £40 million.The transaction follows Flint Bishop’s record-breaking financial year for 2024/25, which saw revenue growth of 53% year-on-year to £31.9 million.
Qamer Ghafoor, chief executive of Flint Bishop, said: “Our latest acquisition is a transformative step in our growth journey, enhancing our capabilities, broadening our geographic reach, and allowing us to deliver even greater value to our clients.
“Lupton Fawcett has a proud heritage and an outstanding reputation, and we look forward to welcoming our talented new colleagues in Leeds, Sheffield, and York, supporting them with exciting career and development opportunities.”
James Richardson, managing partner of Lupton Fawcett, said:“Joining Flint Bishop represents an exciting new chapter for both our people and our clients. The cultural alignment and shared commitment to excellence made this a natural fit.
“This move ensures continuity and stability for our existing clients, while creating considerable opportunities for growth in Yorkshire and across the wider north of England as part of a truly national law firm.”
Deal advisory services were provided by PKF Smith Cooper. David Nelson, transactions and advisory services partner, said: “We were delighted to provide Deal Advisory Services and support to Qamer Ghafoor and the Executive team at Flint Bishop on their recent acquisition of Lupton Fawcett.
“We wish Flint Bishop every success with the integration of the Lupton Fawcett team and clients and seeing the continued growth and success of the wider business as it continues to scale and enter new territories and markets nationally.”
The UK government is exploring options to consolidate the country’s steel industry, which currently comprises six major producers. Four of these companies are receiving government support amid financial strain caused by high energy costs, global steel oversupply, and tariff pressures.
Officials in the Department for Business and Trade are prioritising private-sector-led solutions, seeking potential buyers rather than pursuing nationalisation. Recent government interventions have included taking temporary control of British Steel in Scunthorpe and Speciality Steels UK following financial collapses, while Tata Steel in Port Talbot received a £500 million rescue package to support its transition to low-carbon production. Sheffield Forgemasters was nationalised by the Ministry of Defence in 2021 after prolonged financial difficulties.
Speciality Steels UK has shifted to electric arc furnaces, and the government is covering wages and operational costs while negotiating with commercial buyers. British Steel remains under government oversight as negotiations continue with Chinese owner Jingye, which has requested a substantial sum to transfer ownership.
Government sources indicate a strategic preference for closer collaboration between all UK steel producers and long-term consolidation to strengthen financial resilience. Officials stress nationalisation is not the intended approach, and any merger would require agreement from current company owners.
Ministers are engaging with domestic and international stakeholders to secure a sustainable future for the UK steel sector while maintaining private-sector involvement.
Wavensmere Homes has been selected to bring forward the Waterway House site, accessed off Crocus Street, just south of Nottingham Railway Station and tram stop.
The prime residential development opportunity has been promoted through the planning process by Rainier Developments and Strategic Land, with full consent granted by the City Council last year.
The 0.25 ha island site is bordered by Waterway Street to the south, Newthorpe Street to the east, Crocus Street to the north, and with an area of public realm and the tram line to the west.
The existing site comprises Waterway House – a vacant 1970s two-storey office building with around 750 sq m of floorspace – and cleared hardstanding areas. Previously owned by Nottingham City Council, the site has lain largely vacant and unoccupied since 2021.
James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “Nottingham has been a key target for us for several years, but the site needed to be right. Our Nightingale Quarter development is moments away from Derby Train Station, while Canalside South is next to Wolverhampton Transport Interchange.
“Given its sustainable city centre location – by the train station and tram stops – we are very excited about the potential for the Waterway House site, which is a genuine gateway into Nottingham’s city core. It’s the opportunity we’ve been waiting for and we’re delighted to be selected by Rainier to take this site forward.”
Wavensmere has appointed architects Corstorphine and Wright to work up new plans for a residential scheme to be delivered by the Birmingham-headquartered regeneration specialist. Public consultation on the new design proposals is expected to take place before the end of this year, prior to a planning application being submitted.
Richard Mees, chief executive of Rainier Developments and Strategic Land, said: “Wavensmere’s reputation for delivering complex city centre regeneration schemes shone through when we were undergoing our developer selection process.
“The scale and setting of the Waterway House site has the potential to make a much needed contribution to Nottingham’s housing shortfall, while also transforming the street scene and driving investment into this quarter of the city centre.
“Attracting a Midlands-based housebuilder who has accrued such a stellar national reputation is good news for Nottingham’s residential market. We very much look forward to seeing Wavensmere’s plans evolve over the coming months.”
Businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with a track record of at least 20% annual growth over the past three years can access a new programme providing tailored academic and business support alongside funding opportunities.
East Midlands Chamber delivers the High Growth Academy on behalf of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) in partnership with the University of Derby, University of Nottingham, and Nottingham Trent University. It forms part of the High Growth Accelerator project, funded with £450,352 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The programme includes workshops designed for different growth stages. Early-stage businesses can attend sessions on sales, leadership, and emerging markets, while established firms can focus on governance, organisational structure, and performance management. Monthly High Growth forums offer access to industry experts and peer networking, with the first event scheduled for 6 November covering strategy, systems, and scaling operations while maintaining a human-centred approach.
Additional support options include one-to-one guidance from High Growth Advisers, innovation vouchers of up to £5,000 for specialist university support, student placement funding of up to £2,000 for eight-week internships, and training bursaries of up to £2,000 to attend the Chamber’s Commercial Training courses.
Space Park Leicester is seeking UK space sector companies to host undergraduate micro-interns this autumn through the University of Leicester’s Micro-Internship Programme. The placements run from October to November 2025 and involve students contributing eight to ten hours per week over four weeks on defined projects designed to deliver tangible business outcomes.
Interns can support activities across satellite applications, Earth observation, data science, space hardware, and downstream commercialisation. Projects may include digital analysis, technical research, content development, or feasibility assessments. Businesses can choose to host interns in-person, remotely, or through a hybrid model.
Space Park Leicester operates as a collaborative hub connecting industry and academia, focusing on research, enterprise, and education in space and Earth observation. Companies taking part in the programme gain access to student expertise on specific business challenges while contributing to workforce development in the UK space sector.
Businesses interested in hosting a micro-intern should register by Friday, 5th September 2025. Detailed application guidance will be provided upon registration.
Since 1997, businesses across the UK have trusted APSS to redesign, fit out, and refurbish their offices, retail spaces, healthcare facilities, schools, and industrial interiors. That’s over 10,000 projects delivered, each one focused on making the best use of space and boosting productivity for the people who work in it.
Based in Lincolnshire, APSS supports organisations of every size — from big brand names like Siemens, Wren Kitchens, Octopus Energy and Slimming World, to local charities and independent businesses, always with the same collaborative approach. Together with its customers, APSS creates workspaces that are innovative, efficient, and memorable.
APSS offers full office design and refurbishments, bespoke joinery, glass or steel partitions, mezzanines, and office furniture, providing the expertise to bring your vision to life. It also takes care of external shell works, for a complete transformation all under one roof.
You’ll see APSS’s impact in spaces across the region, from a fresh and inspiring HQ for Slimming World, to a luxury private dining and games lounge at Bainland Lodge Retreats, and high-tech university learning spaces at Loughborough University.
The specialist design and fit out company has also recently released expert guides for office relocation and office refurbishments, full of practical advice, handy checklists, and top tips.
If you’re ready to get more out of your workspace, start here: www.apss.co.uk
BFY Group, Nottingham-based specialists in energy and utilities, has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Mark Hewett as director and Chris Thoms as client director.
Both bring deep expertise in driving major transformation projects in the UK’s energy and utilities sectors and will lead BFY’s Networks Team – a key growth area for the firm as it expands its capabilities in network infrastructure at a time of unprecedented industry change.
Under their leadership, the Energy Networks team will continue to help clients unlock opportunities through improved asset management, network operations, customer experience, and regulatory strategy – strengthening resilience and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon, customer-focused future.
Mark Hewett joins BFY after a successful career in consulting, most recently serving as vice president and energy networks portfolio lead at Capgemini UK plc. With over 30 years’ leadership experience, including nearly two decades as a British Army officer, Mark specialises in energy transition, transformational change management, and designing and delivering complex programmes.
Mark said: “Joining BFY at such a pivotal time for the energy sector is incredibly exciting. Organisations are under enormous pressure to meet regulatory, customer, and decarbonisation goals, often simultaneously. BFY’s blend of deep sector expertise, practical consulting capability, and genuine partnership is exactly what’s needed to turn strategy into delivery – and I look forward to helping clients achieve meaningful, lasting results.”
Chris Thoms joins BFY from his most recent role as director at Capgemini Invent, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience across consulting and operational roles, including service as a military engineer in the British Army. He works with clients to translate strategy into well-structured change initiatives, optimise portfolios for maximum impact and lead large-scale transformation programmes.
Chris said: “BFY’s reputation for delivering exceptional results comes from its ability to combine hands-on industry experience with consulting excellence. I love empowering leadership teams to deliver transformations, realise their potential and sustain change long after their programme ends.”
Ian Barker, managing partner at BFY Group, welcomed the new hires: “Mark and Chris are outstanding additions to our senior team. Their depth of expertise, proven leadership, and ability to shape and deliver complex transformations will bring significant benefits to our clients. By leading our Energy Networks Team, they will play a central role in helping BFY support the industry as it navigates the once-in-a-generation challenge to deliver a reliable, low-carbon future.”
Dwelly has further expanded its national footprint with the acquisition of lettings business HC Lettings, the Nottingham-based agency formerly known as HoldenCopley.
The strategic acquisition adds a further 850 fully managed properties to Dwelly’s growing portfolio, following a series of recent deals.
HC Lettings was founded out of HoldenCopley and today operates as its dedicated lettings arm. Whilst HC Lettings is being acquired by Dwelly, HoldenCopley continues to operate its sales division independently.
As part of the acquisition, the existing management team at HC Lettings will remain in place. Dwelly’s investment will bring enhanced proptech solutions, including AI-led systems designed to streamline operations, accelerate growth and improve the rental experience for both agents and tenants.
The deal between Dwelly and HC Lettings was brokered by Adam Walker, with Trust Audit overseeing the compliance, whilst Dean Wilson headed the legal requirements.
Steven Holden, previously director of HC Lettings, will be leaving the business to focus on the growth of the HoldenCopley sales business and said: “We are extremely proud of the reputation HC Lettings has built in Nottingham. Partnering with Dwelly provides the best opportunity to accelerate the next chapter of growth, while preserving the values and standards that our clients have come to expect.
“The additional support, particularly through technology and innovation, will allow HC Lettings to deliver an even better experience for both landlords and tenants.”
A newly qualified solicitor who has worked her way up at Timms Solicitors has joined the Wills and Probate team in Swadlincote.
Sophie Wildsmith takes up the post with immediate effect after joining an in-house trainee solicitor programme with Timms in 2024.
A year earlier, she worked as a conveyancing assistant at the Burton office and gained vital experience in this area too.
Sophie said: “I am delighted to be qualifying as a solicitor in September and I am looking forward to joining the Wills and Probate team in Swadlincote. I will be working closely with the team providing guidance and advice to clients about wills, probate, estate administration and intestacy.”
Sophie will also assist the team with matters concerning deeds of variation, lasting powers of attorney and trusts.
Before joining the business, Sophie graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a first-class law degree in 2021 and attained a distinction in her Legal Practice Course and Masters of Law at the University of Law in 2023.
Charlotte Day, Head of Wills and Probate at Timms, said: “We are always thrilled when a member of the team qualifies as a solicitor after joining one of our trainee programmes.
“We would like to welcome Sophie to the team at the Swadlincote office and thank her for her hard work and dedication.
“Our firm has a solid reputation for serving our local community, and thanks to staff like Sophie, we continue to grow and develop.”
Timms Solicitors has offices in Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Ashby and Swadlincote and has been providing family law and legal services across the Midlands for over 130 years.
Sophie said: “I am looking forward to my next chapter with Timms and I feel really proud to be working with such a fantastic team. I would like to thank everyone for the support that has been shown to me.”
Out of work, Sophie enjoys exploring the Peak District with her dogs Reggie and Oakley, travelling on holiday and attending spin classes.
Grosvenor has formed a partnership with York Ward & Rowlatt to provide Leapmotor electric vehicles for UK fleets. The collaboration makes the T03 and C10 models available through both Personal and Business Contract Hire agreements.
Grosvenor manages the leasing terms, while York Ward & Rowlatt supplies the vehicles, simplifying the procurement process for corporate clients. The arrangement supports Leapmotor’s UK launch, delivered through a joint venture with Stellantis, and leverages York Ward & Rowlatt’s nationwide network of retailers.
The partnership gives businesses access to competitively priced EVs, supporting fleet electrification and offering low-emission vehicle options for companies aiming to meet sustainability goals.
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Based in Lincolnshire, APSS supports organisations of every size — from big brand names like Siemens, Wren Kitchens, Octopus Energy and Slimming World, to local charities and independent businesses, always with the same collaborative approach. Together with its customers, APSS creates workspaces that are innovative, efficient, and memorable.
APSS offers full office design and refurbishments, bespoke joinery, glass or steel partitions, mezzanines, and office furniture, providing the expertise to bring your vision to life. It also takes care of external shell works, for a complete transformation all under one roof.
You’ll see APSS’s impact in spaces across the region, from a fresh and inspiring HQ for Slimming World, to a luxury private dining and games lounge at Bainland Lodge Retreats, and high-tech university learning spaces at Loughborough University.
The specialist design and fit out company has also recently released expert guides for office relocation and office refurbishments, full of practical advice, handy checklists, and top tips.
If you’re ready to get more out of your workspace, start here: www.apss.co.uk
