Flogas Britain acquires another energy company

Stuart Pearcey
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Flogas Britain acquires another energy company
Syston-based Flogas Britain has acquired the Energy Management division of eEnergy Group plc (“EML”), subject to shareholder approval. EML is a UK-based energy management services group working with industrial, commercial, and public sector clients with high energy consumption, providing services including energy procurement, market analysis, risk management, and bureau services such as bill validation as well as Net Zero pathway consulting. EML and its highly experienced team will join the DCC Energy group, owners of Flogas. They will work alongside the existing UK and Ireland businesses to create a unique and compelling energy management proposition including renewable technologies for our customers across all sectors with high energy consumption or large multi-site portfolios. EML is headquartered in Coventry and employs over 70 colleagues. Ivan Trevor, MD of Flogas Britain, said: “Together with Certas and our recent acquisitions of Protech, Centreco and DTGen, the addition of EML creates a significant capability in energy management services for our customers. We have set an ambition to halve the carbon emissions from the energy that we supply by 2030 and to support our customers through energy transition. This acquisition is a significant step forward.”

East Midlands business activity growth accelerates to fastest since May 2022

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands business activity growth accelerates to fastest since May 2022
The headline NatWest East Midlands PMI® Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – posted at 51.6 in January, up from 50.7 in December, to signal the fastest rise in output at East Midlands firms since May 2022. Anecdotal evidence suggested the expansion was driven by stronger client demand and a renewed rise in new business. The pace of growth was only marginal, however, and slower than the UK average. East Midlands private sector firms signalled a renewed rise in new orders during January, thereby ending a six-month sequence of contraction. The rate of growth was only marginal, but the second-sharpest of the 12 monitored UK regions. Increased new business was linked by panellists to stronger client demand and new customer acquisitions. January data signalled an uptick in business optimism among East Midlands firms. The degree of confidence was the strongest since last September, despite still being below the series average. Companies noted that motivated sales staff, hopes of stronger client demand and investment in new machinery and facilities boosted positive sentiment. Nonetheless, the level of optimism was weaker than that seen across the UK as a whole. East Midlands private sector firms recorded a seventh successive monthly decrease in staffing numbers at the start of the year. The pace of job shedding picked up from December, but was still only marginal overall. Businesses stated that lower employment stemmed from the non-replacement of voluntary leavers due to cost-cutting efforts, and previously subdued demand which resulted in sufficient capacity to fulfil incoming orders. The fall contrasted with the trend seen across the UK as a whole which pointed towards a slight rise in workforce numbers. January data indicated a further contraction in backlogs of work at East Midlands companies. The pace of decline eased, however, to the slowest since October 2022 and was only marginal overall. Of the 11 monitored regions that recorded a decrease in work-in-hand, firms in the East Midlands registered the weakest fall. Only businesses in London saw a rise in incomplete work. East Midlands firms continued to see a substantial increase in input prices during January, albeit with the pace of inflation slowing slightly from December. The rate of increase was sharper than the series average and in line with that seen at the UK level. Higher costs were attributed to greater wage bills, and increased supplier and shipping prices. Businesses in the East Midlands raised their output charges again in January, thereby extending the sequence of inflation seen since December 2020. Higher charges were reportedly due to the pass-through of greater costs to customers. That said, the pace of increase slowed to the weakest since January 2021 as some companies mentioned discounting and efforts to remain competitive and drive new sales. Rashel Chowdhury, NatWest Midlands and East Regional Board, said: “East Midlands firms signalled a more positive start to 2024 as output expanded at a quicker pace, supported by a renewed rise in new business. An improvement in demand conditions also helped buoy business confidence in the year-ahead outlook, as the level of optimism jumped to a four-month high. “That said, although backlogs of work contracted at the softest rate since October 2022, as signs of pressure on capacity emerge, firms continued to cut employment in a bid to save costs. Despite the rate of increase slowing, input costs rose at a further historically marked pace. Hikes in selling prices softened notably, however, amid reports of discounting and concessions being made, with output charges increasing at the slowest rate in three years.”

Warning for Midlands businesses as tide rises on corporate insolvencies

Tess Egginton
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Warning for Midlands businesses as tide rises on corporate insolvencies

A rising tide of insolvent businesses in England and Wales could swell further and lead to a significant hike in corporate insolvency levels across the region for 2024.

This is according to the Midlands branch of insolvency and restructuring body R3 and follows the latest annual statistics published by the Insolvency Service which show that there were 25,158 seasonally adjusted corporate insolvencies in 2023, which is an increase of 13.7% on 2022’s figure of 22,123.

The 2023 figure is also an increase of 78.9% on the 2021 statistic of 14,059, and a rise of 46.6% on the 2019 pre-pandemic figure of 17,163.

R3 Midlands chair Stephen Rome, a partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper in the region, said: “Increases in Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations (CVLs), Compulsory Liquidations and administrations have driven corporate insolvencies to a 30-year high.

“This is due to a combination of increased costs, cautious spending, creditor pressure and the post-pandemic hangover. Unless the economic picture improves, it seems likely that insolvency numbers will rise yet again this year.

“The upsurge in consumer spending that many businesses had been hoping for since the end of lockdown hasn’t happened or, at least, hasn’t been sustained, and the firms who were hanging on and hoping for it have simply run out of time and money. The current business climate is undeniably harsh.

“Our message to company directors, therefore, is simple: if you’re worried about your business, seek advice. It can be a hard conversation to have, let alone start, but there will be more options available, and more time to make a decision, if you act when your worries are fresh, rather than when they’ve spiralled.”

Plans for new retail, office and residential space in Derby to go to Cabinet

Tess Egginton
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Plans for new retail, office and residential space in Derby to go to Cabinet
One of Derby’s most exciting regeneration projects will receive a significant update this month, as Cabinet are asked to approve positive changes to the Eastern Gateway Project. The new proposals would see the project split into two elements: Eastern Gateway (Derbion) and Eastern Gateway (Cathedral Quarter). Cabinet will decide whether to approve capital grants to partner developers delivering these two schemes. The regeneration of these areas is expected to create new jobs, drive additional footfall, and support the ongoing growth of the city centre. The Derbion element has been revised and will see the existing façade of the former Eagle Market replaced with an entrance. A new urban garden would also be created as a space for people to sit and enjoy. The revised scope of the Derbion scheme gives the opportunity for the Council to progress the Eastern Gateway Cathedral Quarter element with developers. This would see heritage buildings in the area restored and repurposed to create new commercial and residential space. This comes after the Council approved a £1.3m loan in September 2023 to bring neglected properties back into use. To allow these two strands to progress, Cabinet will also have to approve the allocation of £5m total grant funding to the project. To complement the Eastern Gateway Project, a network of new urban green spaces could be added to the city centre in proposals called Connecting Works. Cabinet approval of these changes will allow the Council to quickly move into contract with the respective project delivery partners once approval from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, who provide the Future High Streets Funding, is in place. Derby City Council were originally awarded £15m of Future High Streets Funding in December 2020. Around £5m is allocated to the Eastern Gateway scheme, which would be shared between the Derbion and Cathedral Quarter projects if approved. The rest has already been invested in the refurbishment of the Grade II-listed Market Hall, turning it into an attractive retail and leisure destination that links Derbion and St Peter’s Quarter to the Cathedral Quarter and Becketwell. Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism, said: “Revitalising our city centre is one of the key priorities for this administration. “These adjusted proposals allow us to redirect Derby’s city centre focus on well-being, green spaces, regenerating empty retail space and utilising some of our beautiful historic buildings; all things that we have pledged to deliver. “Revising the plans for Eastern Gateway is not only a responsible decision, given the economic and market challenges that have impacted previous proposals for the site, but will still deliver the results required by Future High Streets Fund. “The improved proposal plays a big part in our long-term vision to deliver a city centre for all; one that we can be proud of and want to spend quality time in.” Cabinet will meet at 4pm on Wednesday 14 February.

Precept cook up a storm by volunteering at YMCA Derbyshire

Tess Egginton
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Precept cook up a storm by volunteering at YMCA Derbyshire

Volunteers from a Derby company swapped their pens for serving spoons when they cooked up lunches for the community.

HR & Employment company Precept – part of the Barron McCann group – took part in the YMCA Derbyshire Community Meal which, in collaboration with local mental health charity Head High, gives local businesses and community groups the opportunity to provide a nourishing meal for people who might be feeling isolated.

They served traditional Australian pie, mash and peas followed by Lamingtons – a butter cake coated in an outer layer of chocolate sauce and rolled in desiccated coconut that is popular Down Under – to mark Australia Day. Precept staff also donned comedy hats decorated with miniature corks, and themed the dining room accordingly.

More than 100 people attended the event at the YMCA, in London Road, which is aimed at combatting loneliness, a major cause of mental health problems amongst adults.

Also enjoying lunch were members of YMCA in Capetown, who were visiting the city to hear of the successful projects that their counterparts in Derby have been involved with. Pictures of the day were also sent to the YMCA in Australia to showcase celebrations of their national day.

As well as supporting the YMCA’s Community Meal, Precept are also Derby County Community Trust partners and donate to the Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation. They support S.H.E. UK, too; a charity based in Nottinghamshire that offers support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, exploitation and sexual violence. 

Rob Tice, Managing Director of Precept, said: “When we heard about the community meal, we thought that it would be a great way of supporting the YMCA in a practical way. We had some guidance about quantities – we have never cooked for such large numbers before – and staff at the YMCA were really helpful.”

Emma Tice, who is Head of HR & Employment Law at the firm – and who had spent 11-and-a-half-hours preparing the Lamingtons the day before – said: “We wanted to bring a bit of fun to the day, and I think we certainly did that.

“Precept will certainly be joining forces with the YMCA again and we’re currently exploring how the partnership can be developed.”

Rob added: “We found it hard work but a great team-building exercise and we all found it very rewarding. The best part, for me, was meeting and spending time with the people who attended the lunch. We’d highly recommend that other community groups and businesses get involved.”

University of Nottingham spin-out company will develop rapid diagnostic kits for people with cystic fibrosis

Tess Egginton
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University of Nottingham spin-out company will develop rapid diagnostic kits for people with cystic fibrosis
People with cystic fibrosis will be able to test themselves at home for a common bacterium that can lead to a dangerous infection, thanks to a new diagnostic kit developed by experts from the University of Nottingham. The creation of a spin-out company, that will eventually manufacture the diagnostic kits, has been made possible thanks to the award of an Innovate UK-funded ICURe (Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research) Exploit grant, which has enabled the experts to turn their research into a market-ready business. This grant followed a successful Biofilms ICURe Sprint grant in partnership with the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC). ICURe is a programme of market discovery whereby early career researchers can establish if there is a commercial market for their research, science, or technology. It essentially offers them time ‘out of the lab’ to speak to potential customers, partners, and investors to validate the commercial potential of their innovation. At the end of this process, a panel known as the ‘options roundabout’ will recommend the best commercialisation pathway – that could include carrying out further research, exploring licensing opportunities or seeking funding for spinning out the business.
The University spin-out company, called MiDx Ltd, will be headed by Dr Shaun N Robertson from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham. He has led the commercialisation efforts alongside Professor Miguel Cámara who has developed a simple, specific, and non-invasive diagnostic test to enable the rapid detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.a.) in people with cystic fibrosis partly through funding from NBIC and Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects around 11,000 people in the UK, and over 160,000 globally. One of the most important bugs that causes infections in people with cystic fibrosis, is P.a. – a bacterium that is present everywhere, but rarely has negative effects on people with healthy lungs. For people with cystic fibrosis this bacterium can be deadly, and it is the leading cause of decline in lung health, compromising people’s quality of life. There is a pressing need for a straightforward, precise, and non-invasive diagnostic approach to identify P.a. during initial pulmonary infections, allowing for quicker and more straight-forward medical intervention. MiDx has pinpointed biomarkers unique to P.a., aiming to use them for the creation of an uncomplicated, cost-effective, and precise Point of Care diagnostic test for early detection of this pathogen. Dr Shaun N Robertson from the School of Life Sciences said: “Through our research, we have developed clinically validated unique biomarkers of P.a. infection, patented their use and generated antibodies against them with high sensitivity and excellent specificity. This has enabled us to develop a lateral flow test which people with cystic fibrosis will be able to perform themselves at home. “Thanks to our work with ICURe, and follow-on funding, we have been able to lay the foundations for this new spin-out, where we can now look at getting this test to market. We have also found significant scope for growth into other conditions where a lateral flow device for P.a. would be of interest, principally in non-CF bronchiectasis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.” The team from Nottingham are part of the SETsquared-delivered ICURe Exploit cohort, which have been also successful in securing follow-on funding of £300,000, to turn their biofilms-related innovations into world-leading spin-outs. Dr Lucy Allen, Director of Research and Healthcare data at Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: “A quick and simple test to detect Pseudomonas aeruginosa could be game-changing for those with cystic fibrosis, so we’re delighted the Trust’s early support for this research has moved it a step closer to commercialisation. Rapid detection will allow for swifter treatment, preventing further long-term lung damage.”

Derby leader opens new Kia Academy

Tess Egginton
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Derby leader opens new Kia Academy
The leader of Derby City Council, Councillor Baggy Shanker, has opened the new Kia Academy in Derby, as part of National Apprenticeship Week. The Kia Academy is a purpose-built 40,000 square foot building in St. Mowden Park, Derby. The new academy will equip students with key skills and knowledge to forge a career in the automotive industry. The building has been created to facilitate advanced electrical training as well as upskilling apprentices and adult learners. The academy has opened during National Apprenticeship Week to emphasise the company’s dedication to training and nurturing new talent. Councillor Baggy Shanker, Leader of Derby City Council, said: “I started my career as an apprentice engineer in Derby over 30 years ago, so it was a great honour to have been invited to open this fantastic new training facility. Kia has chosen to invest in Derby and its people, bringing its innovative approach and leadership in electrification to the region. “Training, technical skills, and innovation have always been at the heart of Derby, and we look forward to and welcome the successful unification between Kia and the area. I am excited to see the future of the automotive industry upskill, learn and thrive in Derby.” Paul Philpott, President & CEO of Kia UK Limited, said: “We are delighted to officially open the all-new Kia Academy here in the heart of Derbyshire. I would like to offer my gratitude to Councillor Shanker for opening this exciting facility, which will be the home for all Kia apprentices and adult-learners. “As the automotive industry advances with electrification at its heart, we continue to highlight the importance of technical training and apprenticeships. These students will become the industry-leaders of the future and form the backbone of Kia. “I am excited to see how the Kia Academy grows over the coming years and watch as it engages and educates the next generation of Kia experts. Having first launched our apprenticeship programme 19 years ago, the all-new Kia Academy marks the next confident step in our journey to becoming a leading provider in sustainable mobility.”

Report recommends proposals needed to balance Nottingham City Council budget

Tess Egginton
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Report recommends proposals needed to balance Nottingham City Council budget
Draft budget proposals put forward to close a £50m funding gap in 2024/25 will be discussed by Nottingham City Council’s Executive Board next week. In a report to the Board on 13 February, officers have recommended that the council will need to go ahead with the budget savings initially set out in December last year to ensure its continued financial sustainability. All councils are legally required to set a balanced budget each year. The recommendation has been made following confirmation from the Government in its Local Government Settlement of how much funding councils will receive in the next financial year. The council has also now been issued with new statutory instructions by the Improvement and Assurance Board currently overseeing the authority which mean it has a legal duty to maximise the savings brought forward as part of the budget-setting process in order to minimise the amount it requires in Exceptional Financial Support from Government. Like councils across the country, Nottingham is facing significant budget pressures due to the cost of increased demand for children’s and adults’ social care and rising homelessness. Exceptional Financial Support of up to £40m is being sought from the Government to address the budget gap for 2024/25 and up to £25m for the overspend forecast in the current year which led to the issuing of a Section 114 report by the council’s Chief Finance Officer and the introduction of spending controls. Public consultation took place on the budget proposals in December and January via an on-line survey and a range of engagement events. Views were received from over 5,400 people with the most comments received on the following proposals:
  • Introduction of a charge for public toilets
  • Introduction of a charge for garden waste bins
  • Increases to Council Tax and Adult Social Care precept
  • Reduction of public transport infrastructure
  • Review of Library Services
There are some changes included in the Executive Board report which mitigate the original proposals relating to public transport.
  • Current link bus services will be retained by using alternative funding sources. Funding for the Medilink service will be removed from April 2025, but in the meantime the council will work with the NHS Trust to develop an alternative operating model for the service.
  • Public transport infrastructure, including Park & Ride sites, will be retained by using alternative funding sources, subject to review in the wider region and the emerging Combined Authority from 2025/26.
  • Concessionary fares will be reviewed in conjunction with the wider region and the emerging Combined Authority to ensure a consistency of approach. Efficiencies will be created within smart ticketing and the removal Robin Hood ticket machines.
Insight and learning from the consultation process will be used in the design phase and to mitigate impact where possible in the implementation of proposals. Additional targeted consultation will be required on some of the proposals based on more detailed proposed delivery models. The council’s final budget will be set at a meeting of all city councillors on 4 March.

Chesterfield firms urged to access skills support to grow town’s economy

Tess Egginton
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Chesterfield firms urged to access skills support to grow town’s economy

Businesses across Chesterfield have been told they must act today to futureproof their businesses and the town’s economy, by ensuring their staff are receiving the relevant training and skills.

The Chesterfield Employability and Skills Conference (Thursday, 8th February 2024) was hosted in partnership by Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield.

The event at the Winding Wheel Theatre in the heart of the town introduced a new wave of support for firms in the area, signposting businesses to relevant schemes which will help them to upskill and reskill their staff. Attendees at the event were given the chance to meet with representatives from the following organisations:

·       Chesterfield Borough Council, Skills Brokerage Service

·       Chesterfield College

·       Derbyshire BAME Forum

·       Direct Education Business Partnership

·       University of Derby

·       D2N2 Careers Hub/D2N2 LEP

·       Derbyshire County Council/National Careers Service

·       North East Derbyshire District Council

·       Department for Work and Pensions

·       Auto Windscreens, owned by Markerstudy Group

·       East Midlands Railway

The call for businesses to access this support comes as firms in some of the town’s key sectors say they are finding difficulties in filling vacancies with suitable skilled people.

The latest East Midlands Chamber Quarterly Economic Survey showed that more than 70% of businesses in the region are struggling to fill vacancies, with skilled manual or technical roles proving the most challenging. Industries such as construction, manufacturing, engineering, digital and health & social care are just some of the sectors which Chesterfield Borough Council aims to support with workforce growth.

To address those challenges, Chesterfield’s new skills brokerage gives businesses in the borough the opportunity to gain free, impartial, bespoke advice to support them to access funding, alongside connecting companies to training and development opportunities.

The full range of services offered includes:

·       Access a range of fully funded courses to upskill the workforce, ranging from basic skills and business fundamentals to leadership and management, green and digital skills.

·       Accessing a variety of funding streams.

·       Support to employ Apprentices, including how to access apprenticeship funding and information around the apprenticeship levy.

·       Recruitment and retention advice.

·       Succession planning.

·       Advice and continued support.

Michael Timmins, Director at AECOM and Chair of the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “It was fantastic to see so many businesses in attendance at the Employability and Skills Conference.

“We know that firms across our area are concerned about the future of their workforces, so it is extremely important that we continue to highlight the support that is out there. I would urge businesses of all sizes to make the most of the assistance available.

“We must all work together to secure the future growth of Chesterfield and ensure that our workforce has the right skills and abilities to meet future challenges.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “We work closely with a wide range of partners to help local people develop the skills that businesses need both now and in the future, which in turn will help ensure everyone can benefit from a growing local economy.

“Our Skills Brokerage service aims to help businesses access the funding and the information they need to deliver skills development programmes for their employees, but this is just one of the initiatives we have launched that aim to help businesses based in our borough to grow.

“If you are running a business in Chesterfield, please contact our team directly to find out more about the support available to you.”

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Skills Brokerage Service is benefiting from funding through the UKSPF, after the council was successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives up to April 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

Leicester Arena gets new name in recognition of support from charitable trust

Tess Egginton
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Leicester Arena gets new name in recognition of support from charitable trust

The largest indoor arena in Leicester will now be known as the Mattioli Arena.

It comes after the Ian & Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust accepted an offer of naming rights to Leicester Arena.

The venue – previously the Morningside Arena – is currently being rebranded.

The Trust has donated funds to the Leicester Riders Foundation, the charity which develops basketball and other sport participation for people of all ages across Leicester and Leicestershire.

The generosity of the Mattioli family has resulted in the Trust being offered naming rights, in recognition of their continued support.

Recent donations from the Trust are in addition to the £500,000 donation made to help fund the Arena’s extension in 2022.

The Arena team will work with the family to create a lasting legacy gifted to communities in Leicester and Leicestershire.

The Trust – established by the Mattioli family in 2016 – works to help enhance the lives and opportunities of local people.

In particular it works with communities and socio-economic groups which are often sidelined and which struggle to access opportunities for advancement, personal growth, and to fully participate in society.

Ian Mattioli MBE, founder of the Trust and CEO of Mattioli Woods PLC, said: “We are delighted to continue our support of the Arena, and are proud to accept the naming rights.

“The Mattioli Arena delivers high-quality and high-class events, while at the same time focussing on its community commitments and increasing the profile of the city.

“Leicester has always looked after our family in the very safest of environments and that is why we are delighted to be part of creating a legacy for the diverse communities we support in the City of Leicester and beyond.

“To also be able to do this through sport and a venue that has the potential to impact so many people is something we will continue to take great pride in, and we hope it will be used by many, many people over coming years.”

Kevin Routledge, Chairman of Leicester Riders, Trustee of Leicester Riders Foundation, and a Director of the Arena, said: “Once again, Ian and Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust has shown its commitment to the city and the work of our Foundation, and the Mattioli Arena, and we are hugely appreciative of that.

“The work of the Riders Foundation, and the demands on the Arena, continue to grow and we are committed to further enhancements to our facilities.

“We are hugely appreciative to the Mattioli family’s generous support, which will enable us to deliver an arena, community services, and events that will continue to make the city proud.”

The 3,000-capacity Mattioli Arena stages an increasingly wide range of national and international sports and entertainment events.

It also provides a wide range of community sports opportunities through the Riders’ extensive underage basketball programmes through the Leicester Riders Foundation.

The venue also provides opportunities for Leicester College students, wheelchair basketball users, and other community sport users – making it the largest of its type in the UK.

Last year’s extension to the Arena is already bringing significant additional revenue to the city. It consists of a standalone, 1,200-metre squared, two-court sports hall, with a new entrance to the arena also completed at the top of Memory Lane.

It also has the largest solar array on any individual building in the city, generating 246 kW(p) of solar power and helping the Arena towards becoming a Net Zero business.

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