No-shows at business awards – stop bricking it! By Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, discusses awards events and no-shows and their impact on a business’s reputation.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards are on the horizon. If you have entered, you might want to read on…
I was at a business breakfast recently in Nottingham, with the great and good of this fair city before they all headed off to Trent Bridge and THAT game! Not me sadly, I was on five deadlines!
It was an event to herald the “Top 200” businesses in the area and had been trailed across social media for the past few weeks by the local press and by one of the sponsors who happens to be a client of mine.
With the top 180 already revealed, the stage was set to unveil the top 20, complete with trophies and a platform to speak on in front of the assembled guests, media makers, movers and shakers. I’ll let you decide which of them I am.
Wherever you place in that top 20, this is a great PR opportunity if you leverage it. Or…if you even bother to show up! If you don’t…well…let’s just say you’ll have a tough innings ahead of you.
The winner showed up. Yep, the BIGGEST name in the city (not you Robin), the most iconic global brand – Boots. Their spokesperson was fantastic when he was interviewed, proud, humble, a local lad who had gone to university in Nottingham, was excited to be a part of the event and full of praise for all of the Top 200.
However, the fastest climber and the highest new entry both failed to show. How did that make them look? To the assembled guests, some of whom might be potential customers, suppliers or partners? To the media who are keen to learn of bright young things making their mark? Not great!
Now I know we all get busy and life gets in the way. I know that to some businesses local recognition isn’t that crucial because they don’t sell to consumers or they are more national in outlook. Sure, but your staff are local aren’t they? Wouldn’t they be proud? Wouldn’t more people want to join you if they can see how awesome you are and in what high regard the press holds you?
If a multinational GIANT such as Boots can see the value in it, maybe there’s something in this! The chap from Boots even found an opportunity to hint at a new range coming out. I could see the reporters scribbling away. All that took was an hour of his time before the working day even began. He got a lovely cooked breakfast as part of it too! Win/Win.
So, with the Bricks looming large on the horizon, consider how you might show up at your next opportunity even if you “KNOW WE WON’T WIN.”
Howzat for an idea?
A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008.
He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective.
Nomination deadline looms for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
As the nomination deadline (19 August) draws nearer for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, it’s time to ensure you have made your submissions for the annual celebration of the property and construction industry.
Scheduled to take place on Thursday 15 September, the Bricks shine a light on the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. We also highlight the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes.
The glittering awards ceremony revealing winners, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, will also offer the perfect chance to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Nominations for the awards are open until Friday 19 August. To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome 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. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
Lace Market office building sold
FHP Property Consultants, acting on behalf of clients, have completed on the sale of 52A High Pavement in Nottingham’s historic Lace Market – also known as ‘The Creative Quarter’.
The former lace works has been snapped up by Waste Studio, an expanding creative design agency – who were already based in the area.
The building provides circa 2,800 sq ft of office accommodation over three floors. Built in 1897 the property has only had two previous owners, both of which have retained many period features including original goods lift hoist, sash windows, wooden flooring, staircase and heating system – all of which provide a building with great character and history.
Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Agency Team said: “Buildings such as this in The Lace Market rarely come on the market, therefore I am delighted for Norman and the rest of the team at Waste Studio who have secured a fantastic base for their operations moving forward.
“The office market in the area really is going from strength to strength and with several disposals already completed this year, The Lace Market continues to be in high demand for occupiers.”
Norman Hayes, creative director of Waste Studio, said: “We’re super excited and proud to have now completed purchasing our first property as Waste Studio.
“Nottingham has been the home to our business for the last 12 years and we feel proud to finally invest and further lay foundations within Nottingham, especially in the beautiful Lace Market area.
“Our new building is full of original character and the space it provides is perfect. We plan to create an epicentre for creativity, providing flexible spaces that will work not only as our studio environment but also allow for events, talks and collaborations to happen.
“Over the coming months, we will develop the building bringing it up to date whilst preserving all of the original features.”
FHP makes director promotion
FHP Property Consultants have promoted Darran Severn to director.
Severn joined FHP in 2014 and has played a significant role in the development of FHP’s Derby office where he now leads the agency team.
Darran is a key member of the office and industrial team and focusses on sales, lettings, acquisitions and development work along the A38/A50 corridors and works with a number of major clients across the wider East Midlands.
Darran Severn said: “I am delighted on this achievement and take great pride in having been promoted to director level at FHP. I’ve been at FHP for an enjoyable eight years and it is great that all my hard work has been recognised.
“Over recent years a lot of my time and effort has gone into strengthening and promoting our Derby office where we have doubled the size of our team and I’m pleased to say we are one of the most recognised agents across the region.
“There has always been great flexibility at FHP and I have been able to work in all sectors of the market which has enabled me to broaden my knowledge and experience.
“I now focus on the office and industrial/logistics sector throughout Derbyshire and the East Midlands but also extending our reach across the A50 to Stoke on Trent and down the A38 to Lichfield bridging the gap to our Birmingham office.”
Equity director Tim Gilbertson said: “As Darran quite rightly says, he has played a major part in the expansion of our Derby office over the last few years, very much leading the way in terms of adding to the portfolio of instructions but also, just as crucially, encouraging and mentoring younger surveyors and helping them to find their place in the industry as well.
“I am absolutely delighted to reward Darran with this deserved promotion and I can only see Darran’s career going from strength to strength, he is a pleasure to work with and his approachable and friendly demeanour always sees both clients and colleagues alike impressed by everything he says and does.
“I have no doubt that he will continue to nurture and develop the Derby office and see our geographical spread from that base grow even further than it has done in the last few years linking in with our Birmingham and Nottingham offices.”
IoT firm acquires Nottinghamshire mobile data specialist
Wireless Logic, the global IoT connectivity platform provider, has acquired Jola, the mobile data specialist, for an undisclosed sum.
This agreement marks the latest step in Wireless Logic’s business expansion following a series of acquisitions for the UK company.
Headquartered in Nottinghamshire, Jola is a channel-only supplier of business communications, specialising in mobile data SIMs. Jola provides IoT and mobile data solutions to managed service providers, internet service providers, IT support companies and telecom resellers, who provision, manage, and support thousands of SIMs through Jola’s own Mobile Manager self-serve platform.
The Jola team will continue to manage Jola partners.
Andrew Dickinson, CEO of Jola, said: “Wireless Logic is one of the standout successes of the ICT sector and we have long been admirers of Oliver Tucker and his team. Jola will remain an independently-run company within the Wireless Logic Group, focussing as always on the UK channel, but with a global reach.
“The 1000+ Jola partners will see no change in the short term and over time they will benefit from product innovations across the group and more extensive supplier relationships. I would like to thank our customers, suppliers, and most of all the amazing team at Jola who have worked so hard to achieve this milestone.”
Oliver Tucker, CEO of Wireless Logic, said: “There is a natural fit between Wireless Logic and Jola, which makes this an exciting acquisition for all involved. Jola will strengthen and focus the group’s routes to market in the UK and beyond, paving the way for further business growth in the years ahead.
“We look forward to working closely with the talented team at Jola to ensure that they are able to continue their own growth, whilst leveraging the advantages of being part of the Wireless Logic Group.”
Next phase of £36m ‘Bolsover Homes’ scheme gets underway
Bolsover District Council has started work on a new development to build up to 28 bungalows in Shirebrook to help meet local need.
The development is the latest phase of the council’s £36m ‘Bolsover Homes’ scheme and will see the bungalows built on three different locations.
The main part of the development will see 24 modern one-storey properties constructed on land adjacent to Market Close/Portland Street. The bungalows will help provide much-needed homes for the elderly on a location that is near to the town centre and all its amenities.
Cabinet member for housing, councillor Sandra Peake, said: “It’s great to see work starting on the site as it’s important we keep up our momentum in building council properties for people in areas that need them. We identified a need for this type of property in Shirebrook and we are meeting that need head on with these new bungalows.
“It’s important that we look after our elderly and provide them with good quality homes, so once these properties are built and together with the expansion of Ashbourne Court, they will be well catered for in the town.”
A further three bungalows will be built on Portland Road where the garages will be demolished to make way for the new properties. Similarly, the garage court on Market Close will be demolished allowing for one further bungalow to be built.
The homes are built to allow them to be easily adapted in the future to meet any changing needs of those living there. And each property will have off-road parking, gardens and environmentally friendly features.
The ‘Bolsover Homes’ scheme is a partnership between the council and Robert Woodhead Limited and not only aims to provide new council homes, but support local businesses and trades as well as providing social outcomes like work placements and school educational visits.
Tom Woodhead, business services director at Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: “I am really excited for our team to be delivering a new project for Bolsover District Council. Once again maintaining a fundamental relationship with the client to improve the local area, whilst simultaneously implementing our climate action framework and working to reduce carbon on and off site.
“All this is further complimented by ensuring the project is giving back to the area, through local spend with our suppliers and by measuring our social, economic and environmental impact through our social value calculator.”
Not long left to make your nominations for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
With only a short time remaining until nominations close on Friday 19 August for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, submit your entries NOW!
Reward the hard work of your team, and showcase your successes.
The annual East Midlands Bricks Awards celebrate the region’s property and construction industry, its people, and outstanding developments. Award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of opportunities to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
Thanks to our sponsors:
William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, reflected on winning an award at the 2021 event: “After being named Contractor of the Year at the British Demolition Awards at the start of September, we were absolutely thrilled to win the same accolade from the East Midlands Bricks Awards a few weeks later.
“The event is a real showcase for the regional property and construction sector and we are proud to be recognised for our project and service delivery expertise as a leading specialist contractor. It was a great night and provided an opportunity to catch up with some familiar faces as well as meeting new with the wonderful Trent Bridge Cricket Ground as a backdrop.
“Well done to the Cawarden team for continuously going above and beyond and maintaining high standards for our valued clients. Congratulations must also go to all the other awards finalists and award winners on the night.”
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome 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. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
Forge new partnerships at the East Midlands Expo
On Monday 14 November 2022 the East Midlands Expo will return, providing the perfect opportunity to forge new contacts.
An established event of over 20 years, for which Business Link is a proud partner, the free to attend expo is well targeted and aimed at the construction, property, business, investment, finance, professional services and related B2B markets.
Taking place at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, the day will begin with exhibitor breakfast networking, with the exhibition opening to attendees at 9am, and a seminar taking place between 10:45am and noon.
A special networking lunch (for which tickets can be purchased here) will then take place between 12:15pm and 2:15pm, and the exhibition will close at 3:30pm.
For more information on exhibiting at the event click here.
To register to attend the event for free click here.
To secure tickets for the networking lunch click here.
From property agents to developers, architects, contractors, investors, PR firms, and more, see the list of current exhibitors here.Plans submitted for half a million sq ft employment development in Mansfield
Commercial Estates Group (CEG) and property developer HBD have submitted a detailed planning application for circa 412,745 sq ft (38,345 sq m) of employment space on a 12ha site to the south-east of Penniment Farm, close to Mansfield.
The site is allocated within the Mansfield District Council Local Plan for residential and employment use, with homes already under delivery. This full application will see a range of new commercial space, including light industrial, storage and distribution, all set within attractive new woodland and green spaces.
The development is expected to create over 500 new jobs, including distribution, skilled and semi-skilled light industrial roles, along with training and apprenticeship opportunities throughout its construction.
The site lies midway between Sheffield and Nottingham and offers easy access onto the M1 motorway from J28 or J29, with direct access from the A617, the Mansfield and Ashfield Regeneration Route (MARR).
Subject to the granting of planning permission, development will commence early next year.
Lawrence Escott, investment manager from CEG, said: “We have worked on the Penniment Farm development for many years and new homes are already being delivered at the site. This significant speculative employment scheme will complement this, creating hundreds of jobs in the local area.
“CEG is actively regenerating two key Midlands employment sites at Vesuvius, Worksop and Vaughan Trading Estate in Tipton. Here we are developing more than a million sq ft of high quality space which, similar to Penniment Farm, is designed to appeal to inward investing companies, trade and industrial occupiers, as well as local businesses. Both have been incredibly successful generating new jobs and economic benefits.”
Justin Sheldon, director and head of region at HBD, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to not only inject much-needed new industrial stock into the market, but to create hundreds of new jobs for the community while attracting inward investment and driving new opportunities for the wider region.
“There is significant demand for high-quality, well-located industrial and logistics units and we expect to see strong interest in the scheme. It is anticipated that the development will be brought forward on a speculative basis which reflects the demand for this type of space and our continued confidence in the region.”
The agents on the scheme are M1, FHP and CPP.
Acres engineers vision of the future with open day for next generation
With National Manufacturing Day (July 7th) over for another year, one Derby-based engineering firm has been helping the next generation of engineers get to grips with the industry.
Melbourne-based Acres Engineering, which specialises in manufacturing custom solutions for clients across the UK and increasingly overseas, welcomed families to their Castle Lane facility, opening up the shop floor to give visitors a glimpse of what goes on in a busy engineering firm.
Acres set up a factory walk, stopping at processes including design, fabrication, laser cutting, powder coating and assembly, where each process was explained in an accessible style by an Acres staff member.
Luke Parker, Managing Director at Acres Engineering, said: “It was really good to show everyone around as it gets us thinking about how we can explain quite complicated processes in a simple and accessible way. One very bright 7 year old visitor was exceptionally interested in what we do in the coding and 3d printing arena and amazed us all with his knowledge of the subject.
“The really encouraging thing is that a number of the visitors enquired about apprentice positions after enjoying the introduction to the world of manufacturing engineering and that is heartening to hear.”
As well as hearing from the Acres team, a ‘virtual welding experience’ went down very well, with visitors trying to perform the perfect weld run to achieve a high score.
With the event proving popular, HR manager Alison Parker has organised an apprentice intake day for visitors to come and look at apprenticeships available at Acres on 1 August.
Alison concludes: “We have been committed to our apprenticeship programme for over 10 years now and have seen some fantastic individuals come into our business. We are all exceptionally proud of our apprentices, some of whom have worked their way through university and become degree qualified. We will continue to invest in the next generation of engineers and look forward to welcoming some over again on August 1.”
