South Wales fire safety equipment supplier snaps up Chesterfield firm
CheckFire Group, the South Wales-based fire safety equipment supplier, has acquired PJ Fire Ltd, based in Chesterfield. This acquisition secures the manufacturing future of PJ Fire’s CO2 renovated and remanufactured products.
Founded in 2007 and now employing a team of 50, PJ Fire has grown into one of the UK’s leading independent trade suppliers of fire extinguishers and ancillaries.
Peter Cowley, owner and founder of PJ Fire, said: “The sale of the business marks the culmination of many years of hard work, and I am delighted with this next step. My mission has always been to provide the highest levels of support to our valued customer base.
“CheckFire has been one of my longest-standing partnerships, and is renowned for its unmatched commitment to product excellence and exceptional customer service.
“When considering a sale, I sought honesty, integrity, and professionalism – qualities I found in CheckFire. Knowing that I’m passing the reins into safe hands gives me confidence that the business will continue to thrive and embark on an exciting and secure future.”
Cameron Robins, managing director of CheckFire, added: “We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of PJ Fire, a long-term, truly strategic partner to CheckFire. We feel privileged to become the custodians of Mr Cowley’s legacy and reputation in the sector and delighted to have enabled his well-deserved retirement.
“This significant milestone in our partnership is allowing us to secure PJ Fire’s excellent range of products and services while leveraging CheckFire’s resources to unlock new opportunities.
“Our goals are clear: to safeguard the trading legacy of the PJ Fire brand, bolster its product offering for customers and strengthen our shared commitment to British manufacturing. This is an exciting step forward for both businesses, and I’m really excited about the opportunities it presents for PJ Fire’s future and its dedicated team.”
CheckFire’s director of projects, and taking the helm at PJ Fire, Daniel Robins added: “Our two businesses have a significant amount of common DNA, at our core we have deep-seated family values, and both have a passion for the environment and a sustainable approach to business.
“PJ Fire’s innovative CO2 range, including renovated and remanufactured models, is a fantastic set of products.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with the PJ Fire team in the coming months, and my focus and commitment is to maintain continuity for PJ Fire’s team and customers, and to further enhance its products and service offerings to fulfil both current and future demands.
“Clients of PJ Fire Ltd can rest assured that they will continue to receive the same level of exceptional service and support they have become reliant on over the past 18 years.”
East Midlands financial and related professional services exports register strong year-on-year increase
Financial and related professional services exports from the East Midlands increased by 18% year on year, to £3.7bn, in 2022, according to a new report from TheCityUK.
The report, ‘Exporting from across Britain: Financial and related professional services 2025’ provides analysis of the latest available data (2022) on financial and related professional services industry exports broken down by region and nation across Great Britain.
TheCityUK’s report reveals that in 2022, total financial and related professional services exports from across Britain rose by 18.4% to £158bn. Almost half (47%) of this originated from outside London in 2022.
Financial services exports from the East Midlands accounted for 2.3% of Britain’s total financial services exports, with professional services exports from the region also accounting for 2.3% of total related professional services exports.
In terms of the destination of the region’s financial services exports, around a fifth (21%) went to the EU, with the remaining 79% generated by exports to the rest of the world.
Sandra Wallace CBE, TheCityUK Chair in the Midlands, and Deputy Managing Partner at DLA Piper, said: “The East Midlands’ financial and related professional services industry is a major contributor to the local economy. The region’s export growth in 2022 underscores its expertise. With longstanding strengths in accounting, consulting, and banking, the East Midlands is well equipped to cater to both local and international firms.”
Anjalika Bardalai, Chief Economist and Head of Research at TheCityUK, said: “Financial and related professional services make a significant contribution to the UK economy through their exports. In 2022, the East Midlands had a very strong year of export growth, a trend reflected across almost all Britain’s regions and nations.
“With nearly half of all financial and related professional services exports originating outside London, it is clear that Britain’s regions and nations are playing an important role in catering to international markets, contributing to local economic growth, and reinforcing the UK’s position as a world-leading international financial centre.”
In its report, TheCityUK sets out a series of policy recommendations where industry, government, and regulators can work together to support all parts of the country to continue to grow their export potential. These include:
Improving information about trade opportunities
- Strengthen collaboration between the Office for Investment, UK government bodies, and devolved policymakers, especially in new mayoral combined authorities.
- Align government goals at all levels, linking trade promotion with the Industrial Strategy and Local Growth Plans to maximise regional specializations.
- Improve information sharing between devolved bodies and UK government officials to identify opportunities and better coordination of response.
- Pilot a national brokerage scheme to connect capital with investable projects and enhance the identification, structuring, and presentation of opportunities.
- Swiftly agree an ambitious UK-Switzerland FTA which will provide UK businesses more freedom to operate in Switzerland, secures digital trade, enables access to high-skilled UK and Swiss talent and commits to collaborating on the green transition.
- Conclude a UK-India FTA that liberalises trade in services by easing restrictions on UK businesses operating in India, securing digital trade, fostering regulatory co-operation, providing investment protection, and supporting more short-term movement of business personnel.
- Use the FTA negotiations with Gulf Cooperation Council members to embed regulatory cooperation that promotes frictionless trade and investment as well as enhancing stability and growth in the global economy.
- Put bilateral financial regulatory dialogues with markets such as the US, EU, Singapore, and Japan on a more robust footing by improving transparency, industry engagement and by adopting a more outcomes focussed approach to promote stability and growth in the global economy.
- Use the models developed under the UK-Switzerland Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) to secure more UK trade with other leading financial centres, such as Japan and Singapore.
- Work to boost UK and international investment (such as pensions investment) in high-growth companies and develop the UK’s ecosystem for scale-up investment. This will help to keep fast-growing businesses in the UK and grow our share of the global industry.
- Make the UK a global hub for data and technology by using trade and investment policy to lead in global technology and innovation.
- Position the UK as the world’s leading gateway to international investment opportunities.
- Target development work at markets where the industry can deliver the greatest value and capture new market opportunities.
Northamptonshire food group gobbles up edible oils and fats platform
Northamptonshire-based Whitworths Food Group is set to acquire Wednesbury-headquartered KTC Edibles Group from Endless LLP.
KTC is a vertically integrated edible oils and fats platform with an important role in the UK food industry supplying over 370,000 tonnes of oils and fats across all major food channels. The group has sales of over £500 million and employs 450 people across its five manufacturing and distribution sites in the UK and Ireland.
Endless acquired KTC in May 2022 and has invested heavily in the business over the last three years. Working alongside incumbent CEO, Paresh Mehta, turnover has grown by over £150 million and profitability has more than doubled.
This growth has been achieved via the successful introduction of a new management team to support Paresh, significant capital investment across the manufacturing sites together with the successful acquisitions of Cardowan, a Scottish specialist margarine manufacturer, and Trilby, an Irish bulk distributor of edible oils.
Originally founded in 1886, Whitworths is the UK’s leading flour milling business. The George family have owned the business since the 1930s and have grown it to over £600 million revenue. The business has ten mills across the UK and supplies almost exclusively into food manufacturing.
Paresh Mehta, CEO of KTC, said: “I would first like to thank Endless for the support they have given the business over the last three years. Our partnership has shown what can be achieved with the right backer and when all key stakeholders are strategically aligned.
“Whitworths Food Group represent the next exciting evolution in KTC history. Their shared knowledge of developing a market leading enterprise for all stakeholders will be hugely beneficial for KTC.
“It is also an exciting development for our customers given the product offering of the combined business. I look forward to continuing the growth of the KTC brand and product offering with the support of our new owners.”
Michael George, Director at Whitworths, said: “Whitworths are pleased to welcome KTC into our family of food companies. We have been impressed by the progress of the business over recent years, and look forward to working with Paresh Mehta and his talented management team to continue to progress and grow the business.
“The transaction is a great fit strategically and will deliver significant further growth potential for all stakeholders.”
Aidan Robson, Managing Partner of Endless LLP, said: “We are very proud of what we have achieved with KTC over the last three years and have thoroughly enjoyed working with Paresh and the KTC team.
“Through everyone’s hard work, we leave KTC in an excellent position as the premier supplier of edible oils and fats in the UK with substantial headroom for further growth. Whitworths represent a fantastic long-term owner for the business.
“The combination of both businesses will create a strong platform supplying two important ingredients to the UK food sector. We wish the whole KTC team all the very best for the future.”
Endless LLP and KTC were advised by Spayne Lindsay (Corporate Finance), Walker Morris (Legal), Park Place (Management) and PWC (Financial, Commercial and Tax). Whitworths were advised by EY (Financial), DLA Piper (Legal), and RSM (Debt Advisory and Tax).
William Davis Homes makes three key appointments to land team
Loughborough-based William Davis Homes has welcomed a trio of key appointments to its East Midlands land team to support its plans for growth.
Reece Richiardi has joined the team as senior land manager, working on the acquisition of open-market sites with existing planning consent, while Harry White, joining as senior strategic land manager, has been appointed to lead the housebuilder’s longer-term land acquisitions.
Working alongside Reece and Harry is the company’s new head of design, Mike Barnett, who has been working on an ambitious project to design a new range of housetypes for the developer. The first of the new homes are set to be built on William Davis developments later this year.
Harry, Reece and Mike bring significant experience from roles within regional and national housebuilders and said they were drawn to the vision which William Davis’ group land director Sarah Whetton had for the future of the team.
Harry said: “After meeting with Sarah and Guy Higgins, the managing director, I felt that William Davis was the right place for me.
“The business has an excellent reputation which has been hard-earned, people have a lot of good things to say, and that goes a long way in such a close-knit industry. The quality of build also positions us well in the market.
“A family business, we are in a position where we can be dynamic and make decisions quickly, which is valuable in networking and negotiations.”
Mike said: “There was an instant connection when I met Sarah and Guy, and they have ambitious plans which I’ve enjoyed working on already.
“It’s been a great start to put my experience in the industry and in private practice into designing the new portfolio of housetypes, which is a rare opportunity and one which I jumped at.
“The final designs respond to the needs of modern living, recognising how we now use our homes as both our living and social space, and how the space may be used at different stages of life.
“The legacy of our developments is key and a lot of time, effort and care has been put into this piece of work.”
Sarah Whetton said: “Reece, Harry and Mike are all driven, ambitious, and bring considerable experience and expertise to our team.
“As we look ahead to our growth plans over the next five years, we need the right people to make that happen, and Reece, Harry and Mike have already made a huge impact on the business.
“Reece and Harry will be key to our plans to increase market share and bring forward new sites, while Mike’s new housetype designs will provide homes across those sites which are efficient and suited to modern lifestyles, while creating an attractive street scene and responding to market needs.”
Sainsbury’s opposes Aldi plan in Matlock as council recommends approval
Despite opposition from Sainsbury’s, Derbyshire Dales District Council has recommended approval for an Aldi supermarket in Matlock’s former Harveydale Quarry. The proposed 1,864-square-metre store would create 50 jobs and redevelop a derelict site.
Sainsbury argues that the town does not need another supermarket and claims that the development would harm the trade of its existing stores. It also cites concerns over pedestrian access and the impact on independent retailers. However, 757 letters of support were received, with the only formal objection coming from Sainsbury’s.
Council planners state the Aldi store would not significantly impact the town centre’s economic viability. The project includes 109 parking spaces and upgraded traffic controls on Dale Road. It will replace former Derbyshire County Council offices and a local MOT garage, despite concerns over the loss of the mechanic business.
A final decision will be made on April 8.
Leicestershire caravan park secures £25,000 for expansion
The Grange, an independent camping and caravan park in Leicestershire, has secured £25,000 in funding from First Enterprise through the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme. The investment will support expansion into surrounding land and introducing a new glamping experience, including Leicestershire’s first yurt accommodation.
The site offers 26 fully serviced pitches, bespoke facilities, and an on-site shop featuring local produce. The funding will enable the addition of six new hard-standing pitches, set to open in May 2025. The Grange, which recently won Best Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park at the Leicestershire Tourism & Hospitality Awards, aims to enhance its offering to meet growing demand for premium outdoor stays.
Derby’s new taxi licensing rules could disrupt local business
Derby City Council’s proposed changes to taxi licensing could severely impact private hire taxi owners, with the GMB Union warning that hundreds of drivers may lose their livelihoods.
The council’s plan aims to reduce the maximum age for licensable vehicles from 15 to just 5 years, potentially forcing many drivers to use older vehicles out of business. This move would set Derby apart from neighbouring cities like Nottingham, which allows taxis up to 10 years old.
GMB Regional Organiser Craig Thomson voiced concerns that the council’s approach, focused on reaching green city targets, unfairly burdens local taxi drivers without sufficient consultation. He called for the council to work with drivers and unions to develop a more balanced plan. This shift in policy could disrupt the daily operations of a vital service for the local community, putting many businesses at risk.
Conversion of farm buildings into holiday lets approved in Northamptonshire
Local authorities have approved plans to convert a set of rural farm buildings in Northamptonshire into a holiday accommodation site. The site, situated near Blatherwycke, northeast of Corby, will transform five mid-19th-century barns and stables into six holiday homes. The development also includes plans for a café and retail space.
The proposed holiday homes will vary in size from one to three bedrooms and will feature fully equipped living spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, and terraces. A café offering food and drinks and a bicycle rental service in one of the larger units will be included.
The applicant, F & A George Ltd noted the local demand for tourist accommodation, citing nearby attractions such as Fineshade Woods and Rutland Water, as well as the market towns of Stamford and Oundle.
The site will retain existing access from Blatherwycke Road, with a new car park to be constructed to accommodate guests.
Work gets underway to find new members for Leicester and Leicestershire’s Innovation Board
Work is underway to recruit new members for Leicester and Leicestershire’s Innovation Board.
The announcement came as Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2025 launched with a packed day of events covering industrial strategy, artificial intelligence for SMEs, and routes to finance.
The first day of the seventh annual festival included a review of the region’s innovation opportunity from Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, founder of RandalSun Capital and a former LLEP Innovation Chair. There was also a deep look into the strategic opportunity of AI for small businesses, and a funding support session led by Innovate UK and the British Business Bank.
Delegates started the day at the National Space Centre, where they were welcomed by Andy Reed OBE, Chair of the Leicester and Leicestershire Business Board.
He said: “This festival started in 2018 with three events and has become an annual part of the regional business calendar. It brings together partners with a shared interest in encouraging small business productivity and growth in Leicester and Leicestershire.”
Mr Reed also informed guests at the National Space Centre that work had recently commenced to populate an Innovation Board. It will sit under the Business Board of the Leicester and Leicestershire Business and Skills Partnership (LLBSP).
The Innovation Board’s purpose will be to bring together leaders from business, research, education and finance, seizing on opportunities as they emerge in the innovation space.
Previously, the Innovation Board was part of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP). LLEP functions were taken under the control of upper tier local authorities last year.
Dr Kotecha followed Mr Reed’s welcome with a look at Leicester and Leicestershire’s innovation landscape and the origins of the regional R&D agenda.
He then assessed the emerging opportunity around the Government’s Industrial Strategy.
Dr Kotecha said: “The Government’s Invest 2035 programme suggests that innovation is again returning to the forefront of strategic thinking.
“This is to be welcomed and we must make sure we are poised to advocate for our economy and our business community and seize – for Leicester and Leicestershire – the opportunities that the Government is trailing.”
Steve Barradell and Guy Boyle, directors of Loughborough-based Institute, gave a 45-minute critical discussion of AI and its strategic opportunity for local small businesses.
They followed up by confirming that their funded 12-week AI+ programme for small businesses – supported by Loughborough College and Innovate UK – would return in the autumn. A further 60 places have been made available for 2025-26 after the sell-out success of the first programme last year.
Guy, Institute’s Creative Director, said: “We’re interested in increasing knowledge among SMEs so they can ask better questions of those selling them current digital solutions.”
Guests then made the short walk to nearby Space Park, where an afternoon session, led by Innovate UK and the British Business Bank, provided detailed insights into current funding opportunities. As well as practical guidance on preparing winning funding applications, the session included networking time for small businesses to meet with funding experts and fellow innovators.
Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2025 runs until Friday. It is led by the Business Gateway Growth Hub. Events take place online and at venues across the city and county. Subjects covered include finance, life sciences, innovative manufacturing, and digital skills.
Fairham Way to become main arterial route through Nottingham’s new neighbourhood
From Monday 14th April 2025, Fairham Way will open and become the main arterial road through Nottingham’s new neighbourhood – Fairham.
Fairham Way will allow traffic to flow through the centre of Fairham for the first time since the development of the 606-acre brand new neighbourhood commenced in 2018.
With over £58m spent on infrastructure, the road opening marks a significant shift change in the delivery of homes, employment and conveniences at Fairham, providing easier access to all the residential area and business park.
The new road will also allow direct access to the centre of the neighbourhood from the Northern Gateway located off Mill Hill Island from the A453 past all residential plots until the road rejoins Nottingham Road at the Southern Gateway.
Clowes Developments and Homes England are responsible for delivering Nottingham’s new neighbourhood, Fairham. The partnership is set to bring thousands of new homes, jobs and opportunities to Nottingham. The 606-acre site on the southern edge of the city will become a prime commercial and residential destination.
It is anticipated that the new Fairham Way road will see as many as 8,000 cars travelling through the neighbourhood every day. In light of this and at the request of Nottinghamshire County Council, the decision has been made to close a section of Nottingham Road, connecting Clifton to Gotham, between the stagger junction and the Southern Gateway.
By closing this section, traffic will be channelled through Fairham Way in both directions which will assist in changing public behaviour to utilise Fairham Way. This will also allow improvement works including traffic calming features to be undertaken to Nottingham Road. It is expected to remain closed for up to 18 months.
All road traffic, cycle routes, pedestrian paths and public transport routes, including bus service numbers 1/1A and 4/N4 will be diverted to follow Fairham Way with a new bus stop added to the route.
Thanks to infrastructure specialists, O’Brien Contractors Ltd, works around the stagger junction have also been completed on time and according to schedule.
