Prime land sale secures future of residential development
Some four acres of prime land earmarked for a residential development in Woodhouse Eaves, Leicestershire, has been acquired by a Derby-based developer.
The deal was orchestrated by property consultants at Fisher German, on behalf of a private landowner and will undoubtedly help meet the ongoing demand for new homes.
Previously, an initial planning application for fifty dwellings was refused when the appeal was dismissed in 2019; subsequent planning permission for 36 dwellings was granted in October 2021.
The landowner has been working with the Fisher German development team on promoting the sale of the land since 2016, during which time they had seen planning for 50 houses declined and a subsequent appeal dismissed. Undeterred, the land finally attained planning permission for 36 new dwellings in 2021.
Acting on behalf of the landowner, Fisher German played a key role in facilitating the sale by inviting numerous parties to submit their proposals, before securing an option agreement that enabled JK Land Limited to purchase the land within an agreed time frame, as well as negotiating a sale price upon the granting of planning permission.
Commenting on the deal, Luke Brafield, Partner in Fisher German’s Development team, says: “This proposed development has involved a number of planning and technical challenges. As such, it is a project that enabled us to demonstrate our varied expertise in strategic land promotion, ranging from sourcing developer partners and negotiating terms, to advising on planning promotion and negotiating prices for option agreements.
“We are delighted to have assisted in facilitating this deal and very much look forward to seeing a scheme being delivered.”
International software company expands into Nottingham’s iconic City Building
International software company 4G Clinical has expanded its Nottingham operation with a move to larger offices in the city centre.
The fast-growing US-owned clinical trial company has leased a floor at City Buildings, the landmark four-storey Victorian property on the corner of Carrington Street, between Nottingham train station and the Broadmarsh redevelopment.
The move means 4G Clinical, which employs more than 400 people across 12 offices worldwide, can expand to meet demand for its services. Its previous base was near Jubilee Campus, close to University Park.
The firm, which develops software systems that support clinical trials, appointed Innes England to search for the ideal space in the city.
Jon Sendall, of 4G Clinical, said: “The office provides a flexible hub for our UK operations and is ideally located close to city centre amenities and public transport links. This creates a more appealing location for our staff to work from and offers excellent sustainable travel options.”
MEIF Maven Debt Finance achieves £80m funding milestone
MEIF Maven Debt Finance has achieved a key milestone, lending £80 million to ambitious businesses across its two debt funds since Maven was appointed as Manager. The Funds, which are part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), have been supporting growth focused SMEs across the East & South East and West Midlands since their launch in 2018.
Access to finance has long been a barrier to growth for many smaller companies and the MEIF is helping improve the finance landscape for Midland based businesses in order to realise the region’s potential to achieve economic growth through enterprise.
MEIF Maven Debt Finance has now backed over 150 businesses across the two regions providing the essential capital required to support a wide range of funding requirements such as boosting working capital, investing in new products & services, or moving to larger commercial premises. The funding has also directly helped to create more than 700 jobs.
Businesses who have benefitted from debt finance through the Funds include Eskuta, an e-bike supplier to established brands such as Dominos and Pizza Hut, which has significantly increased sales since MEIF’s backing nearly 3 years ago. Whilst fleet software services provider, Chevin Fleet, was able to utilise the funding to exploit new commercial opportunities on a global scale.
More recently, the Funds have backed a number of pioneering and innovative businesses including Maeving, a manufacturer of fully electric motorcycles and BatFast, a sports technology business which recently won Best Technology for Fitness and Participation at the 2022 Sports Technology Awards.
Jonathan Lowe, Investment Director at Maven in the East and South East Midlands said: “We are delighted to have achieved this significant milestone for MEIF loans across the Midlands. Businesses have faced and continue to face major challenges in recent times, and we’re pleased to have played a part in their resilience and growth. With further MEIF funds available to deploy, we remain keen to support SMEs with their finance needs.”
Richard Blount, Investment Director at Maven in the West Midlands adds: “The continued success of the funds is evident both from the continued demand for funding from SMEs based across the West Midlands and East and South East Midlands and the growing number of success stories across the Fund’s portfolio.
“Furthermore, given the increasing economic challenges being faced by businesses, the continued deployment of finance by the funds to support SMEs across the Midlands, is increasingly important to ensure economic growth, and to protect and increase employment across the region.”
Mark Wilcockson, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank concludes: “Maven have played a fundamental role delivering debt finance to businesses across the two regions supported by MEIF. This has enabling over 150 businesses to access finance options to support their growth, enabling the creation of new jobs, funding expansion projects and filling gaps in working capital.”
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and University of Derby team up to make more room for nature
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has agreed a series of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with the University of Derby to combine the skills and know-how needed to support the Trust’s ambitions to be at the forefront of ecosystem services provision.
The partnership will provide the academic expertise that the Trust needs to grow by developing an innovative and holistic business model that can leverage its conservation expertise and enable it to operate commercially, while remaining true to its charitable status.
For 60 years, owning land for nature conservation has been the main function of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and continues to be at the heart of its strategy. Through KTP funding, this collaboration will help the Trust build capability to generate income through managing land by providing a range of services in relation to biodiversity net gain (BNG), wellbeing improvement, carbon sequestration, nitrate and phosphate mitigation.
Under the terms of the partnership, the University will recruit three graduate associates to work on the project for two years. During their time working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, the KTP recruits will embed new methods into the organisation, training the existing staff team.
The graduate associates, supported by the staff team at the Trust and academics from the University of Derby’s School of Built and Natural Environment and Derby Business School, will develop a bespoke simulation framework to assess biodiversity outcomes for target sites, and novel tools for baseline biodiversity assessment and long-term site monitoring.
This will be complemented by a Management KTP to develop a holistic business model that offers the Trust a mechanism to continue its nature recovery work, whilst generating income and fulfilling other social and environmental objectives, such as flood risk management and water quality improvement.
Matt Buckler, Head of Wilder Landscapes at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said: “Following the Government’s announcement to make BNG a mandatory requirement for planning permission, coupled with the recent COP26 and upcoming COP15 conferences, there has been a shift in thinking towards nature-based solutions to meet environmental and climate emergencies.
“We recognised this catalyst for change early on and knew that with support from the University to transform our business capabilities and working practices, we could protect land for nature, as we always have done, whilst providing the ecosystem services needed by society, landowners and organisations such as developers and utility companies.
“We are very much looking forward to working with the University of Derby and embedding our new associates into the organisation to help us maximise this significant opportunity and establish ourselves as the leading provider of ecosystem services in the county and beyond.”
Dr Anne Danby, Course Director for the School of Built and Natural Environment at the University of Derby, added: “The KTPs are an exciting opportunity for academics and students at the University. The BNG work is cutting-edge, in a highly technical area and will draw on the skills of our academic team in remote sensing, biodiversity analysis and ecological modelling to support Derbyshire Wildlife Trust in this innovative endeavour. It also offers a great learning opportunity for hundreds of our undergraduate and postgraduate students, from across business management, operations and supply chain, environmental management and sustainability courses. They will all learn a lot from the case studies, projects and guest lectures generated by this project.”
Sterling dips and pundits warn of long recession as BoE announces biggest rate hike in decades
The Bank of England has announced a rise in interest rates from 0.75% to 3% – the biggest interest rate increase since 1989. The rise follows economic turmoil caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and various faux pas by Liz Truss’s cabinet.
Economists are now forecasting that, as a result, the UK will be plunged into one of the longest recessions on record.
Seven members of the MPC (Andrew Bailey, Ben Broadbent, Jon Cunliffe, Jonathan Haskel, Catherine L Mann, Huw Pill and Dave Ramsden) voted in favour of the rise. Two members voted against the proposition. Swati Dhingra preferred to increase Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 2.75%, and Silvana Tenreyro preferred to increase Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 2.5%.
The Bank of England’s governor Andrew Bailey insisted: “If we don’t take action to bring inflation down, it gets worse,”
He added: “The UK’s standing has been damaged by the government’s mini-budget”
The MPC have also stated that, if the outlook suggests more persistent inflationary pressures, it will respond forcefully, as necessary.Government needs to ‘get the basics right’ to help businesses through high interest rates environment, says East Midlands Chamber
Commenting on the Bank of England’s decision to raise interest rates from 2.25% to 3%, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) chief executive Scott Knowles said: “The largest single increase in interest rates is a clear signal yet by the Bank of England that businesses should expect a high interest rate environment for the foreseeable future.
“This will inevitably hamper investment intentions, which are already lagging significantly due to the low confidence affecting many firms right now amid a cost-of-doing-business crisis not helped by a lack of certainty.
“Many businesses at this time of year are entering their business planning cycle for the next financial year and the lack of clarity on energy costs from 1 April 2023, among other inflationary pressures such as rising interest rates, will protract or even cancel planned investment in some cases.
“Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey showed confidence over profitability and turnover has fallen by 21% and 17% between the second and third quarters of this year, with investment intentions dropping by 6% for both people and plant and machinery.
“We understand the need to address rampant inflation, but equally the constant cycle of rates rises means these trends are unlikely to improve anytime soon unless the Government gets serious about supporting business with mountain concerns.
“Later this month, we will launch a Business Manifesto for Growth in the East Midlands and Beyond in Parliament that urges decision-makers to ‘get the basics right’. This means developing a long-term approach to business taxation and regulation, improving digital and physical connectivity, and backing firms to invest in people.
“By addressing the underlying structural issues that are holding many firms back, they can eventually get on with doing with what they do best – which is creating growth, job opportunities and wealth in their local areas, and driving the national economy forward.”
Founder of addiction charity among those receiving University of Derby honorary degrees
The founder of a charity supporting people recovering from alcohol or substance addiction, the manager of the Derby Bosnia Herzegovina Centre, and a senior RAF officer and engineer, are among those who will receive Honorary Degrees from the University of Derby later this month.
Each year notable people with a strong connection to the University or the city are chosen to receive an Honorary Degree at the Awards Ceremonies, when the University’s students graduate.
Thousands of graduates, guests and VIPs are expected to attend the ceremonies which take place from Wednesday 16 November to Friday 18 November at Derby Arena.
The recipients of the Honorary Degrees are:
- Jaz Rai OBE – founder and chair of the Sikh Recovery Network (Honorary Master of the University)
- Ferid Kevric – Project and Centre Manager of the Derby Bosnia Herzegovina Centre (Honorary Master of the University)
- Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB FREng – senior RAF officer and engineer (Honorary Doctor of the University)
- Stephen Layton MBE – Derby-born conductor, founder and director of Polyphony, one of the world’s leading choirs (Honorary Doctor of Music)
- Jane Ide OBE – Derbyshire-based CEO of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Honorary Doctor of the University)
Economic report reveals £1bn investment in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire by Amazon
Amazon has launched its latest analysis of the company’s regional investment across the UK. The 2022 Amazon UK Economic Impact Hub shows that the company has invested more than £1 billion in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire since 2010.
The Amazon UK Economic Impact Hub provides regional data on jobs created by Amazon locally, the number of regional independent small businesses supported by the company, the level of economic activity driven by Amazon’s investments and the export sales recorded last year by small businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire selling on Amazon.
Below are the key stats covering the region:
- Since 2010, Amazon has invested over £1 billion in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
- This investment led to the production of goods and services that contributed an estimated £1.3 billion to the region’s GDP since 2010.
- To date, Amazon has created around 8,000 full and part-time jobs in the East Midlands.
- More than 400 people in the East Midlands have completed Amazon’s employability skills training programme since 2010.
- More than 200 apprentices in East Midlands have qualified from the Amazon Apprenticeship programme since 2010.
- In Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire there are more than 2,000 small and medium-sized businesses selling on Amazon as independent selling partners.
- Small businesses from the region selling on Amazon recorded over £50 million of export sales in 2021.
- In partnership with the charity Magic Breakfast, Amazon delivered more than 240,000 healthy breakfasts to vulnerable children and schools across the East Midlands in 2021.
Duo of appointments at Marchini Curran Associates
Nottingham-based architects and interior designers, Marchini Curran Associates, has appointed Sara Saadouni as architect and Lauren Leyva as architectural assistant, as part of its plans for growth.
The RIBA chartered practice, which provides design and project management services from its office on High Pavement in the city, has this year marked 20 years in business and put into action its growth and community strategy.
Sara is a qualified architect in both the UK and Morocco and has an MSc in Sustainable Building Technology from the University of Nottingham.
Having just completed her MA in Architecture with a first class honours degree, also at the University of Nottingham, Lauren is being sponsored by Marchini Curran Associates through her final Part III qualification to become an architect.
The appointments come six months after the management buyout of the practice by directors Kevin Smith, Justin Ziegler and Andrew Bull. Founders Nick Marchini and Des Curran, remain actively involved in the business.
Kevin said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Sara and Lauren to our team. Their passion and unique expertise make them a great asset to our practice, and I always enjoy the fresh ideas new team members bring.
“Marchini Curran Associates is a team-oriented company. We invest in the best talent, which enables us to deliver the most innovative design solutions for our clients and further strengthen our culture.
“Justin, Andrew and I are equally driven to further build on our well-established reputation for quality and collaborative approach, and Sara and Lauren join us at an exciting time – as we move forward with our growth and community strategy.
Sara and Lauren will work alongside the close to 30-strong team at Marchini Curran Associates, delivering projects in the Midlands, nationally, and more recently in Europe.
Current schemes include a large-scale commercial redevelopment in Oxford city centre, a retail-led development in Camden, and a number of large data centres around London, as well as local schemes such as the new Phoenix Cinema in Leicester.
Sara said: “Really proud to be part of a team that cares about sustainable design and using my background in sustainable building technology, I’m already contributing my skills in this area to the work of the practice. The supportive and progressive approach has empowered me to take the lead on projects almost from the outset, and it’s wonderful to be part of this growth journey.”
Lauren said: “I have immediately felt part of a friendly and inclusive team and Marchini Curran Associates is the perfect environment to learn from highly skilled professionals. I was drawn to the practice for its varied architecture and the supportive culture and I’m really looking forward to the future here.”
Since its formation in 2002, Marchini Curran Associates and Marchini Curran Interiors has designed a diverse portfolio of projects for local, national and international clients, across commercial, retail, leisure, residential, education, industrial and master planning.
£18m funding for family owned bakery
A family owned bakery with operations in Derbyshire and Cheshire has successfully raised £18m to fund significant investment and upgrades to plant and equipment.
The bakery, owned by Frank Roberts & Sons Limited is a fourth generation family business dating back to 1887, and is the fourth largest retail bread brand in the UK. The company serves a mix of national branded retail, own label, food to go and food service customers, under key brands Roberts Bakery and Little Treats.
Mike Roberts, family member and Deputy Chairman of the business commented: “The new funding puts us in a very strong position and allows us to really invest in the future growth of our business and advance on our journey towards Net Zero Carbon. We’re constantly innovating new products alongside our core offerings and we now have the opportunity to ensure our bakery uses the most modern equipment and continues to produce the best quality products available on the shelves.”
PwC Debt & Capital Advisory advised the company on the financing, led by director Dominic Renshaw and supported by Ash Jacobs and Sam Morkel.
