Palatine-backed CTS Group strengthens with geo-environmental deal

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Palatine-backed CTS Group strengthens with geo-environmental deal
Palatine-backed CTS Group has acquired the geo-technical and geo-environmental specialist In Situ Site Investigation Limited, the latest of nine acquisitions that have given the technical consulting firm a leading position in testing infrastructure materials, surveying and monitoring services.
With headquarters in St Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex, In Situ Site Investigation employs 37 staff and operates internationally across many locations. The company is a well-established ground investigation services business founded in 2008 by Managing Director Darren Ward. It has grown strongly over the years based on a strong client focus, enabling them to branch out into other areas of Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) as well as Pressuremeters such as Self Boring Pressuremeters (SBPs), High Pressure Dilatometers (HPDs), Ménard Pressuremeter tests and Cone Pressuremeter testing.
Phil Coles, Chief Executive at Leicester-headquartered CTS Group, said: “With this latest acquisition, we are creating a premier infrastructure testing, consulting, inspection and compliance company and I’m delighted to welcome the In Situ Site Investigation team to the CTS Group.
“In Situ Site Investigation is an extraordinary company with a fantastic service offering and team, an incredible reputation and we are thrilled that they are joining the CTS Group. Continuing to grow our capabilities and expand our portfolio whilst at the same time growing and further strengthening our client relationships across our business is critical to our ongoing success and is at the very heart of our strategy. “This acquisition complements the previous deals announced over the past two years and reinforces our commitment to growth through attracting complimentary businesses and market leading talent.”
Darren Ward, Managing Director at In Situ Site Investigation Limited, said: “Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for In Situ Site Investigation, one where we will be able to accelerate our vision of providing quality site investigation services whilst maintaining our good, friendly customer service and continuing to deliver on our clients’ requirements.  “I’m delighted to be continuing to support the future growth of the combined business and integration process. Our existing clients will be able to benefit from CTS’s extensive experience and knowledge within the testing, inspection and compliance industry.”
Tom Hustler, investment director at Palatine, said: “Since we invested in CTS in 2018 we have successfully supported the management team in implementing a Buy and Build strategy to accelerate growth and amplify the many and varied qualities within the business. “This transaction, CTS’s second acquisition within a week, represents our continued commitment to broadening CTS’s geographical coverage, as well as diversifying the group’s infrastructure services offering, in a bid to align a fragmented marketplace.”

New Derby headquarters for medical implant specialists

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New Derby headquarters for medical implant specialists
Salloway Property Consultants have let 3 Pinnacle Way to Medartis Limited on behalf of a private landlord client. The medical implant specialists are relocating to larger and more prominent offices at the heart of Pride Park, in close proximity to Derby Train Station. The building provides an attractive two storey office premises of approximately 5,360 sq ft, which will now serve as Medartis’ new UK headquarters. Medartis Limited, the UK subsidiary of Swiss-based Medartis AG, is a global innovation leader who develops, manufactures and sells titanium screws and plates, surgical instruments and system solutions for fracture fixation; enabling patient rehabilitation following the surgical reconstruction of fractures, mal-unions and deformities or skeletal diseases and their adjacent soft tissues. Hugo Beresford, of Salloway Property Consultants, who acted on behalf of the landlord, said: “I am delighted to both secure a high-quality tenant for my client and also to assist Medartis with their relocation and significant plans for growth. They are a company going from strength to strength and the property occupies a great position on Pride Park – I’m sure that it will provide them with a perfect base from which to continue their expansion plans.” Andrew Wilcher, Medartis’ general manager for the EMEA North Region, said: “We are delighted to have secured the much-needed extra space that we require for our continued growth and future plans.”

Urgent need for safety checks after rise in East Midlands farming fatalities

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Urgent need for safety checks after rise in East Midlands farming fatalities

A risk management expert is urging the region’s farmers to improve their health and safety standards after official figures revealed the East Midlands is one of only two areas in Britain to see a rise in the number of fatalities in the agricultural industry.

Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that three people in the region’s agricultural sector were killed in 2021/22.

Across Britain, however, there were 25 fatalities – 16 fewer than last year.

Alex Cormack, of Lycetts Risk Management Services, said: “It is tragic that the number of deaths in the region has increased. And while the drop in fatalities across Britain is to be welcomed, I would urge those who work in the industry not to become complacent.”

Fatal injuries were most commonly caused by people being struck by moving vehicles. This was followed by being struck by an object, contact with machinery, falls from height and animal-inflicted deaths.

The latest figures suggest considerable progress in agricultural risk management since the early 1980s, when there were around double the number of fatal injuries. This year’s total number of fatalities, which includes three members of the public, is the second lowest number of deaths recorded in the last five years.

Agriculture, however, remains the riskiest industry to work in, with fatal injuries around 18 times higher than the ‘all industry rate’.

A 38-year-old self-employed farmer in the East Midlands was killed by slurry gas when he entered a slurry tank.

In another incident, a 19-year-old worker was killed when he was struck by an HGV.

The third fatality saw a 58-year-old self-employed farmer getting crushed by a falling bale.

Cormack added: “Figures for the last five years reveal that more self-employed workers are killed than employed workers, suggesting that while employers may be taking care to implement health and safety measures, and educate and train their staff, they are not giving their own personal safety enough attention.

“Death and injury can have a devastating effect on families, as well as destroying businesses, yet risk-taking seems to be an underlying problem in the industry.

“Some fatalities can be attributed to freak accidents, but others could be avoided by adopting a more rigorous approach to safety. Risk assessments should be thorough, all appropriate training should be undertaken, and safety policies should be implemented.”

‘Levelling Up’ bid submitted for job-creating £40m Link Road

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‘Levelling Up’ bid submitted for job-creating £40m Link Road
Nottinghamshire County Council has formally submitted a £40m bid to Government for the financing of the planned Toton Link Road. The council wants the multi-million-pound sum needed to build the road from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, following councillors approving plans for its construction last year. The new link road would consist of a new one-mile single-carriageway track between the A52 east of Bardills Island and Stapleford Lane, taking the form of a high-quality landscaped boulevard with significant tree planting and walking and cycling routes. In its funding application to government, the council outlined how the link road has the potential to deliver more than 400 jobs and 2,700 new homes. A decision on the bid for the road which would enable high-quality development of homes, community facilities and commercial space is expected in the autumn. Works would then start in 2024, with scheduled completion by 2026. Councillor Keith Girling, cabinet member for economic development, Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Nottinghamshire County Council’s bid for the Toton Link Road presents an opportunity get spades in the ground and kick-start major, long-term economic development that is going to bring greater prosperity to Nottinghamshire and the wider region. “The Government’s Integrated Rail Plan not only confirmed that high-speed rail would be coming to Nottinghamshire, it also gave us the chance to push ahead with plans for a Network Rail Station at Toton. “The Link Road will be the first stage in that process of unlocking development at Toton, helping us to enable economic growth, and to build a powerful case for the better transport connectivity that a rail station would be part of. “We’re showing Government that we’ve got oven-ready investment opportunities here, that we want to get on and deliver growth to communities across the region, and that we’re putting the structures in place to make it happen.” The funding bid by the council has the support of Broxtowe MP, Darren Henry, who says that it promises to be the start of something big. “I am incredibly ambitious for Broxtowe, and our £40 million bid to the Levelling Up Fund for the Toton Link Road promises to be the start of something big. This is the message I am taking directly to Government. “We are turning this area into a hotspot for investment. Government has already committed tens of millions to Towns Funds in places like Stapleford, it has committed billions to an HS2 station nearby, and also opened the door to a Network Rail station right here at Toton,” he said. Mr Henry also highlighted the wider benefits of the link road, including transport links. The new road would be linked to the A52, the NET tram network, alongside a proposed Network Rail Station and close to the M1 motorway. There will also be an opportunity to add new bus routes. Mr Henry added: “Our role now is to make the most of major investment in the East Midlands so that we can deliver new homes, new transport links and new job opportunities for our people into the future. “We are making sure that we are match-fit to manage that investment by setting up a development corporation which will plan and promote these big sites, and by pushing ahead with a devolution deal which will enable us to access more funding and have a greater say in how it is invested.” As part of its bid for the £40m, the council has highlighted how the Toton Link Road will enable wider plans for growth that are being worked up by the East Midlands Development Company (DevCo), including the transition of the Chetwynd Barracks, which is scheduled for closure, from a MoD site to residential use. The DevCo was created by five local authorities to coordinate development around the Toton-Chetwynd corridor, Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station area and the East Midlands Airport area. Richard Carr, Managing Director, EM DevCo, said: “Alongside Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station area and the East Midlands Airport area, Toton is one of three large-scale sites in the East Midlands that have been identified as having the potential to enable tens of thousands of new jobs and add billions to the value of the regional economy in the years to come. “It’s vital that we join the dots between our investment opportunities so that we maximise their potential, and that we push for high-quality development. At Toton, the Link Road is the start of that process, opening up the potential for innovative new development and better transport connectivity. “As a body supported by local authorities, government, business and universities, EM DevCo is itself evidence of how well the region is coming together to grasp these opportunities and to ensure they translate into developments which work for communities and the economy as we head into a net zero future.” It is hoped that the DevCo will soon gain statutory powers, after the government flagged the East Midlands’ case for a new type of development corporation in its Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill as an ‘expedient’ mechanism for council areas to join forces and deliver growth.

Plans to convert textile workshops in Nottingham’s Lace Market for mixed use scheme approved

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Plans to convert textile workshops in Nottingham’s Lace Market for mixed use scheme approved
Plans to convert buildings in Nottingham’s Lace Market from textile workshops into a mixed use scheme have been approved by the city council.
Perrymead Estates wants to transform 15-17 Stoney Street into a mixture of apartments and office spaces, with a café / bar on the ground floor. In addition, the construction of an extension on the corner of Stoney Street and Woolpack Lane, provision of a rooftop terrace on the roof of number 17 Stoney Street and a small roof extension are proposed.
A design statement submitted by Marsh:Grochowksi Architects on behalf of the applicant says: “By converting this building, it is being brought back into use, providing accommodation, office space and amenities to the local community, in a highly sought after area of Nottingham.”

United Living Property Services awarded £3.2m contract to renovate social housing in Grantham

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United Living Property Services awarded £3.2m contract to renovate social housing in Grantham
United Living Group, a provider of infrastructure, housing and property services, has been awarded a £3.288m contract for the Earlesfield Estate Capital Works Project by South Kesteven District Council in Lincolnshire. The local authority has identified 152 post-war properties with Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) in Grantham, Lincolnshire. A number of the properties to benefit from the works are “Wimpey No Fines” design, a typical post-war construction. In addition to removing the ACM, replacement kitchens and bathrooms will be fitted in 143 of the homes, accompanied by electrical, heating and door upgrades in a similar number. During the works, around 112 households will be temporarily rehomed during the renovations to minimise disruption. A property on the estate will become a dedicated information hub where residents can find out more and keep up to date with progress. United Living Property Services will focus on delivering a high-quality renovation and ensuring it takes residents’ views into account. Simon Will, Managing Director, United Living Property Services, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected to work on this important project with South Kesteven District Council. As a local contractor working in areas such as Wolverhampton and Walsall, the scheme is perfectly positioned to fit in with our local delivery model. “We look forward to working with both the Council and residents to ensure they have a home that is greatly improved at the end of the scheme.” Cllr Robert Reid, South Kesteven District Council cabinet member for housing and property, said: “We are very happy to be working with United Living Group on this major Earlesfield Estate improvement programme. We are committed to providing housing that meets the needs of all residents and I am pleased to see our funding approved by the council so that work can get underway. “South Kesteven District Council has engaged with the tenants on the estate to enable a full understanding of the works to be undertaken and subsequent timeline. I hope they will be reassured by this clear commitment to improving their homes. “It is a project that will deliver numerous benefits and is further evidence of the wider improvements we continue to see in our Housing service.”

Connect with property and construction professionals at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022

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Connect with property and construction professionals at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
While nominations for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 are assessed, book your tickets for the highly anticipated event taking place on Thursday 15 September. Recognising and celebrating those behind the changing landscape of our region – the very best companies, teams, individuals and projects – the event showcases the exceptional work carried out across the East Midlands over the past 12 months. The awards also present a perfect networking opportunity, with the leaders of property and construction businesses from across the East Midlands in attendance. The event will additionally feature John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Attend the glittering awards ceremony at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agent of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner.

Tickets can be booked here.

The event will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm, with additional time thereafter for networking and celebrating. Complementary drinks and canapés will be served on arrival. Dress code is standard business dress.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.  
 
Thanks to our sponsors:                                      

To be held at:

Derbyshire housebuilder expanding footprint with £10m funding

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Derbyshire housebuilder expanding footprint with £10m funding
A Derbyshire-based housebuilder has secured a £10m funding package from Lloyds Bank to help ramp up activity and capitalise on the growing demand for new homes. Family-run Woodall Homes, headquartered in Barlborough near Chesterfield, delivers homes across the Midlands and South Yorkshire. It has recently developed new properties in Mansfield, Tansley and Bolsover. Founded in 2011, Woodall will use the funding from Lloyds Bank to increase its number of active sites, expand its footprint across the region and maintain high-quality development across its portfolio. The firm’s turnover has grown by 25% over the last three years, with Woodall completing 60 homes in the last financial year. Woodall is now aiming to break the 100-home mark this year, with a view to completing 250 homes a year within the next five years. To bolster this growth, the business is looking to recruit five additional staff over the next year. In December 2020, Woodall received a £4.25m investment from BGF. This created a step change in the aspirations of the group to accelerate acquisition of land in prime locations, and to increase development activity and building output. Finding the right banking partner to support future growth aspirations was the next natural step in the group’s evolution. Experienced non-executive chairman Derek Mapp has also recently joined Woodall’s Board as it seeks to scale and drive quality. Mapp currently holds the same role at outsourcing group Mitie and has also held chair positions at the East Midlands Development Agency and Sport England. Ian Grundy, CFO at Woodall Homes, said: “As the demand for housing continues to increase, we want to ensure that Woodall Homes is in the best position it can be to deliver the premium homes that the Midlands and South Yorkshire need. “We’re doing this by adding fresh talent to our team, and also by working with experienced banking partners such as Lloyds Bank. Their know-how and understanding in this area meant that they immediately bought into our building ethos and ambition to drive quality. The funding from Lloyds Bank opens many new doors in terms of development for the business and I am excited to see where this will allow us to take the company in the future.” Jeremy Prentice, relationship director at Lloyds Bank, said: “Woodall Homes is an excellent example of a business that’s investing smartly and capitalising on demand. Housing is always high on communities’ agendas, and there’s huge demand from families looking for green space following the pandemic. “Investing in growth, where possible, is a strong way of mitigating current inflationary challenges. We’re committed to helping firms like Woodall target growth and achieving their ambitions, and we’re excited to be by the business’s side as they target this.”

Leicester surveyor secures seven-figure investment to support ambitious growth

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Leicester surveyor secures seven-figure investment to support ambitious growth
Leicester-based surveying holding company SML Group, has secured a significant loan from independent asset manager BOOST&Co, to facilitate major expansion plans. The funds will initially be used for the acquisition of My Home Needs Limited, a surveying business in the property industry. In addition to the acquisition, the funding will also assist in refinancing existing debt, as well as providing significant growth capital for business expansion. As part of this growth, the investment will also create opportunities to recruit additional surveying staff across the business, as well as training existing staff in surveying and valuations work. The SML Group is a specialist surveying company, providing services to the insurance, financial services, real estate, rail and property development sectors. Its foundations were firmly established through a dedicated subsidence monitoring business, but it has since become a holding company for multiple firms dedicated to the land, building and valuations surveying sector. BOOST&Co chose to work with SML Group due to its management team and its broad spectrum of services across a range of business sectors and its ambitious future growth plans. BOOST&Co is a provider of growth capital for innovative, fast-growing UK SMEs. The independent asset manager offers loans ranging from £2m to £10m, covering a wide range of sectors. It has funded more than £500m across more than 130 deals to date and provided close to £200m under the government’s CBILS initiative to support SMEs during COVID-19. Matt Vincent, principal at BOOST&Co, says: “BOOST&Co is excited to be working with Tom and the SML team as they embark on the latest stage of their impressive growth journey. “The progress SML has made in its expansion has been great to see, and the My Home Needs acquisition represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the business. We look forward to working with SML as its expansion plan continues.” Tom Harpin, Managing Director at SML Group, says: “We are delighted to have had the support from BOOST&Co to complete the acquisition of My Home Needs, which is complementary to the wider service offering at SML Group. “The funding has not only facilitated the transaction, but also supports our growth and enables us to invest capital into recruitment, existing staff and the expansion of SML. We are looking forward to continuing to work with Matt and the team as we embark on this next phase of our growth strategy.”

New president of auctioneering & valuing association elected

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New president of auctioneering & valuing association elected

After a 12-month term as vice president, Trevor Palethorpe, joint head of John Pye Business & Property, has been elected as president by NAVA, a division of Propertymark.

Taking up the role last month Trevor aims to guide the organisation in re-engaging with its members and hopes to encourage the next generation of auctioneers.

Currently, Trevor jointly heads up the Business Assets and Property divisions of John Pye and has been in the auctions industry since his teens. Originally aspiring to be a history teacher when leaving school, a chance meeting with Adam Pye saw Trevor starting work in the salesrooms at Nottingham’s Cattle Market on Friday nights and it changed the course of his career.

Speaking of his appointment, Trevor says: “I genuinely love the profession which I’ve been part of now for over 25 years, so to be elected president of NAVA Propertymark is really a great honour. I grew up in auctions and have amassed experience that spans business assets through to property and fine art, plus everything in between. I’m looking forward to sharing this knowledge and experience with other colleagues and industry professionals.”

NAVA was established in the 1980s to provide accreditation and best practice sharing within the industry. In 2000, operations were taken over by Propertymark who set the benchmark for property professionals. Its members are expected to adhere to strict best practices and code of conduct, so both public and businesses can be assured they are dealing with a suitably qualified professional.

John Pye as a business have been active members ever since inception, with both John and Adam Pye previously serving as chair, the precursor to the role which Trevor is taking on now. The firm also actively encourages and supports its staff who wish to develop their careers within auctioneering and valuations to take Propertymark qualifications.

Talking about what he hopes to achieve during his term as president, Trevor adds: “I want to help raise the profile of our profession and be part of the wider Propertymark team to ensure the continuance of high standards to protect the integrity of the auctioneering and valuing professions.

“I’m also keen to inspire other colleagues within the profession and anyone thinking of an auctioneering career. It is not something that is often considered for school leavers. I’d encourage people to consider it as a rewarding career and take advantage of the variety of benefits that NAVA Propertymark members can access. This includes perks and industry benefits including legal advice, professional support and professional development courses, for absolute beginners to experienced auctioneers.”

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, says: “All of the Propertymark Board, alongside the staff at Propertymark HQ are really looking forward to working with Trevor in order to drive Propertymark further forward and deliver more to our members. We congratulate Trevor on his appointment within the team.”

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