CEO takes on London Marathon for children’s hospice
Only a few years after breaking his hip, the CEO of an East Midlands car supermarket is taking on the TCS London Marathon to raise money for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.
Michael Bell, CEO of AvailableCar Ltd, which is in Castle Donington and Sutton-in-Ashfield, is aiming to raise thousands of pounds when he takes on one of the world’s biggest marathons on Sunday 27 April.
AvailableCar Ltd has supported Rainbows since 2008 and has raised over £1.4m in that time.
For Michael (39), completing the TCS London Marathon will also be a personal challenge. In 2019, he had to retire from the event due to injury.
“Firstly, to raise money for Rainbows is such an incredible privilege. And for me, the London Marathon is like a scratch that I have never itched. When I was running it in 2019, I started to get a niggle in my hip. Then I got pain and on mile 19, I heard a pop,” said Michael.
“I was helped to first aid and was taken to A&E. I had a broken hip, which was caused by running and over training, and I had to have two operations.
“This will be my first full marathon since I broke my hip, and I am a little nervous. But for me, to have a bit of pain for three or four hours, will be worth it to raise money for Rainbows.
“I love supporting Rainbows. It is an amazing place and touches so many people across the whole of the East Midlands.
“Rainbows is so encompassing, it isn’t just what they do for the babies, young people and children, it is about everything they do for the families, especially siblings.
“Every bit of support Rainbows gives along the way is unbelievable. The care everyone gets and the experiences they are offered; it is absolutely magical, and families make memories that will last forever.
“I wanted to give something back to the community and I thank everyone who is supporting me.”
Neil Swift, Rainbows Supporter Experience Officer, added: “To recover from a broken hip and two surgeries to take on a marathon is really remarkable, and we are delighted to have Michael as part of Team Rainbows.
“The London Marathon is a great event for our charity and this year, we have 14 people taking on the event and we are grateful for all of their support. Every penny they raise goes towards the care of more than 750 babies, children and young people wherever they need us – at the hospice, in hospital or at home.
“We wish Michael and all of our runners the best of luck.”
To sponsor Michael, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/michael-bell-2
Derby businessman’s family to honour his legacy by leading his company forward
The family of a respected Derby businessman who died unexpectedly last year has pledged to preserve his legacy by taking the helm of the company he led for more than three decades.
Andy Priestley started working for design, refurbishment and fit-out firm DSP (Interiors) in 1988 and took over the reins four years later, dedicating his entire career to the company until his sudden death aged 57 last year.
Now Louisa, his wife of 35 years, has taken over as Managing Director, while daughter Olivia, 23, has become Marketing Director, with 20-year-old son Harrison undertaking an apprenticeship at the firm.
The family, which also includes Harrison’s twin brother Mason, who is studying for a degree at Sheffield Hallam University, hope they will do Andy proud by continuing his legacy.
Louisa, who has been part of the company for more than 20 years, said: “Losing Andy was a total shock. We had just returned from a bucket list trip to Scotland completing the NC-500.
“We are all still very much grieving however, we know that he would want us to continue his legacy – DSP was his passion and the team here were his second family.
“We owe it to him, to his team and to our customers to ensure DSP remains the leader in its field. His influence is still very much present in everything we do, and that won’t change.”
DSP (Interiors) has worked with some of the biggest companies in the East Midlands including Rolls-Royce, Alston, SureScreen Diagnostics, Ward Recycling, Charterspace and KTM Motorsports.
The firm, which provides bespoke designs and fit-outs, employs 12 members of staff and many have worked for the company for between 20 and 30 years.
The family has spent the last few months putting transparent systems in place which are shared across the team and introducing a cloud-based CRM system to harness the skills and knowledge Andy and the team had.
Olivia, a former Trent College pupil, has recently graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in Business and Spanish. She had always intended to join the family firm eventually, but had not expected it would be under such tragic circumstances.
Olivia said: “I spend a lot of time each day asking myself what Dad would have done, and now I understand the operation so well there are many things I would love to be able to chat about with him.
“I know Dad would be incredibly proud of us all and not a day goes past where we don’t talk about him. I think looking after – and growing – DSP is an appropriate tribute to him.
“We’ll never stop missing him, but I hope we can continue to honour his legacy by carrying forward his vision, values and passion for what he built. His influence is felt in everything we do and we are committed to making him proud every single day.”
Headline speakers revealed for Leicestershire Innovation Festival launch
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL and the founders of AI+ will be the headline speakers at the launch of Leicestershire Innovation Festival 2025.
They will kick off the seventh annual festival focussed on small business productivity and growth in Leicester and Leicestershire.
More than half of available places for next week’s funded launch event have already been reserved.
Dr Kotecha, who founded and leads both RandalSun Capital and Randal Charitable Foundation, is a major investor in regional innovation. He will talk on the need for increased regional productivity.
Dr Kotecha chaired the Innovation Board, which launched the festival in 2018, and is the founder and former Chair of Morningside Pharmaceuticals, an international manufacturing firm he built and grew in Loughborough.
Dr Nik Kotecha OBE DL, Founder, RandalSun Capital and Randal Charitable Foundation, said: “The accelerating speed of development in digital technology presents a fast-changing landscape of opportunities and challenges for SMEs.
“Technology also offers immense potential for small businesses to make accessible small steps which can transform productivity and profitability.
“As we have seen with the emerging Industrial Strategy, AI and digital are being promoted as a means of moving the East Midlands and UK economies forward.”
Steve Barradell and Guy Boyle, directors of Loughborough-based Institute, will follow Dr Kotecha with a discussion on emerging digital tech and its implications for small business.
Guy Boyle, Creative Director, Institute, said: “There’s a lot of tactical noise about AI currently out there but very little of the big picture stuff.
“Why, for example, is industry using digital technology yet asking for the same skills it did 100 years ago? Why are businesses designing new processes that reflect an analogue world?
“We’re interested in increasing knowledge among SMEs so they can ask better questions of those selling them current digital solutions.”
Steve and Guy will also reveal details of Phase 2 of their AI+ Innovation for Business Course. The funded 12-week course for SMEs returns later this year in partnership with Loughborough College. Supported by Innovate UK, Phase 1 of the programme introduced dozens of local businesses to the potential of emerging digital technologies.
The launch event of Leicestershire Innovation Festival runs from 8:30am to 12:30pm at the National Space Centre in Leicester on Monday 31 March.
Inflation sees February fall
UK inflation dropped in February, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), inflation came in at 2.8% in the 12 months to February 2025, down from 3% reported in January, and below forecasts of 2.9%.
The largest downward contribution to the change came from clothing.
Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, stood at 3.5% in the 12 months to February, down from 3.7% in January.
Martin Sartorius, Principal Economist, CBI, said: “Inflation remained firm in February, broadly in line with the Bank of England’s expectations. Looking ahead, price pressures are set to rise again in April, driven by higher energy costs, regulated price increases, and the passthrough of Autumn Budget measures.
“We continue to expect that the Monetary Policy Committee will cut interest rates at a quarterly pace over 2025, in line with its ‘gradual and careful’ forward guidance. This should help ease the strain of high borrowing costs on businesses and households.”
Nottingham’s cutting-edge X-ray tech takes centre stage with MP visit
Nottingham-based HALO X-ray Technologies demonstrated its pioneering X-ray technology to local MP, Lilian Greenwood, during her recent visit to the company. HALO X-ray Technologies showcased how its technology is set to transform global aviation and border security. The MP for Nottingham South was shown how HALO is spearheading revolutionary X-ray diffraction solutions that promise faster, more accurate, and more secure screening for passengers and cargo worldwide.
The visit, organised by the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA), showcased how private equity and venture capital investments are helping to fuel innovation, create jobs, and strengthen Nottingham’s position as a hub for cutting-edge technology. HALO X-ray Technologies is one of 22 private capital-backed businesses headquartered in Nottingham South, contributing to the region’s economic growth and global technological leadership.
At the heart of HALO’s innovation is its proprietary X-ray diffraction technology, designed to automatically identify materials in real time. This capability significantly enhances security screening in airports and border crossings by reducing false alarms, expediting passenger flow, and increasing threat detection accuracy. The technology has also attracted interest from the medical sector for advanced diagnostic imaging applications, and has applications for industrial inspection.
HALO systems are currently installed at Copenhagen Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport as part of an initiative to prove operational performance in a live environment and establish the value proposition for X-ray diffraction at the checkpoint and for the wider aviation security community.
HALO is currently working on UK, EU and US government funded programmes that have helped develop core IP and establish new product opportunities. HALO has to date secured ~£16M funding through various government programmes. This engagement with government and regulators has been key to the continued success of the business and technology.
HALO has also been backed by a consortium of UK government-backed funds consisting of the UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, both managed by Future Planet Capital), and the UK Government’s Future Fund, alongside Agilent Technologies, Inc, a global leader in chemical and life science analysis. The investment support has enabled the company to accelerate R&D and advance commercial partnerships in the security sectors. By supporting HALO, these investors are championing UK-led innovation in aviation security, border protection, and advanced materials detection, helping to drive economic growth and job creation in Nottingham and beyond.
Following her visit, Lilian Greenwood MP commented: “It was fantastic to meet with the team at HALO X-ray Technologies and see first-hand the groundbreaking work taking place right here in Nottingham. This is a great example of how innovation and private investment are driving high-tech job creation and positioning the UK as a leader in aviation and border security solutions.”
East Midlands mid-market businesses show resilience amid rising costs
Mid-sized businesses in the East Midlands are showing increased confidence despite rising employment costs, according to Grant Thornton UK LLP’s latest Business Outlook Tracker. The report highlights a shift in hiring strategies, with 50% of businesses now planning to reduce or freeze hiring, up from 43% in December 2024. Many also review pay increases, bonuses, and employee benefits to manage costs.
Despite these challenges, 73% of mid-sized firms in the region are optimistic about revenue growth over the next six months, up from 65% in December. Profit expectations have also risen, with 72% forecasting an increase, compared to 43% previously.
In contrast, larger corporations across the UK are becoming less optimistic, with a 10-percentage-point drop in confidence about the UK economy and declines in expectations for funding, revenue growth, and profit increases.
Grant Thornton’s Matt Buckingham noted that East Midlands businesses are adapting quickly, leveraging a mix of global corporates and agile mid-market firms across manufacturing, energy, tourism, and professional services. With the Spring Statement approaching, businesses remain focused on strategic planning to sustain growth despite economic pressures.
Businesses must prepare for single-use vape ban from 1 June
From 1 June, businesses in Derbyshire will be prohibited from selling, supplying, or possessing single-use vapes for sale, both online and in-store. The ban applies to all disposable vapes, regardless of nicotine content, and will be enforced by Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards team, excluding Derby city.
Violators face a £200 fine per offence, with repeat breaches risking unlimited fines, up to two years in prison, or both. Authorities will also have the power to seize illegal stock.
The move aims to curb environmental damage caused by vape waste and reduce fire hazards from improper disposal. Businesses are urged to review their stock and ensure compliance to avoid penalties.
Grand Central plans direct Lincolnshire-London rail service by 2026
Grand Central has notified Network Rail of its plans to introduce a direct rail service between Lincolnshire and London, connecting Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Habrough, and Scunthorpe to King’s Cross. The company will submit a formal application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), and pending regulatory approval, services are expected to launch by late 2026.
The proposed route would add over 775,000 new seats annually, improving regional connectivity and optimising underused rail capacity. Trains will integrate with Grand Central’s existing services via Doncaster, offering more travel options for passengers.
Managing Director Paul Hutchings highlighted the significance of restoring direct rail links to Cleethorpes, last available in 1992. The service aims to enhance economic ties between Lincolnshire and London, benefiting passengers and businesses.
The initiative follows London North Eastern Railway’s failed attempt to establish a similar route in 2023. Grand Central’s expansion could reshape regional transport and support economic growth in underserved areas if approved.
Avant Homes secures approval for £45m North Lincolnshire development
Avant Homes has received planning approval for a £45 million residential development in Yaddlethorpe, North Lincolnshire. The 20.1-acre site, named Moorwell Meadows, will feature 200 energy-efficient homes with two to five bedrooms.
Construction is set to begin in May, and the first homes will be available for sale in October. A show home is expected to open in November, and initial residents are scheduled to move in by December. The project includes a £170,000 community contribution towards improvements to Riddings Community Centre.
Delivered by Avant Homes North Yorkshire, the development aligns with the company’s expansion strategy in Lincolnshire. Avant Homes operates across the Midlands, northern England, and Scotland, focusing on multi-tenure housing for private, rental, and affordable sectors.
Cash injection helps Leicester supported housing provider upgrade homes
Advance Housing and Support has been awarded £980,000 by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to improve the energy efficiency of its homes.
The funding comes from the Warm Homes Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (Wave 3) and will help boost the work Advance is already doing to upgrade all its homes to at least EPC band C by 2030.
The full amount of funding will be matched by Advance to install energy efficiency measures such as insulation, low carbon heating systems and new windows and doors to its homes.
While helping to reduce Advance’s carbon footprint, the measures will also deliver benefits to customers through lower energy bills and more comfortable homes.
Chief Executive, Julie Layton, said: “This funding will support our ambitions to make sure all our properties end up meeting quality standards for energy efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing living conditions for customers.”
