Fisher German to create numerous jobs as it relocates Market Harborough office
Fisher German is set to move into a new office building in Market Harborough and says it will create numerous local jobs as a result.
The Market Harborough office is relocating from its premises in the High Street to an open-plan office to future-proof their presence in Market Harborough. They are about to undertake a complete re-fit of the 5,378 sq ft office, with staff expected to move into the property in September.
The company’s history in Market Harborough dates back more than 200 years and the Grade II listed building they are currently in is anticipated to be transformed into residential accommodation once the expected planning consent is confirmed. The company was established in 2000 after the merger of Fisher Hoggarth and Germans, with Fisher Hoggarth’s history in Market Harborough dating back to 1819. It will be only the fourth time that the Market Harborough-based team has moved during this time having been in its current office since 1960.
The move will take Fisher German to new premises at Innovation House, at Welland Business Park. Anna Collins, Associate Director in the Rural Property Management team, said: “We are extremely excited to announce the launch our new office in Market Harborough. The new, modern space will better reflect our working practices and aspirations while ensuring that we can continue to grow within Market Harborough. It is in a fantastic location on a mixed-use business park based just outside the town centre, benefitting from parking for both staff and those visiting, and it is good to know that the development of our office in High Street will be extremely positive and add vibrancy to the town centre.
We have a long history in the town and are dedicated to further strengthening our presence and continuing to invest in the local area. Our new office will support the firm as it continues to grow, and we are currently advertising for a number of positions in surveying, agency and client accounting. It will also support the welfare of our people, providing them with the best possible working environment as we focus on collaborative working between teams. We now look forward to the completion of the re-fit and welcoming people from across the area when we officially open.”
Pressure pushes a third of banking professionals to consider quitting, says report
A third of financial services and banking professionals are planning to leave the industry due to high pressure, according to a new report by LemonEdge, a global digital accountancy platform for the private capital and venture capital industry.
With burnout mounting, a further third are also planning to leave their current role as a result of high pressure, but continue to stay within the same industry. The upcoming exodus from the industry is said to risk valuable talent leaving the sector in record numbers, and stems from increasing levels of burnout, which has worsened for many since the pandemic and working from home, or hybrid model set up.
When uncovering why workers are planning to leave their positions in record numbers, the study by LemonEdge found that financial services and banking professionals state a heavy workload (42%) is the main contributor to feeling heightened pressure within their role. This is closely followed by manual processes (36%), long working hours (32%), tight deadlines (26%), and increasing demands from management (25%).
While some workers claim to be thriving in these conditions, much of the general workforce in banking and services are feeling the weight of burnout. These increased pressures are negatively impacting the mental well-being of financial service workers, as a quarter (26%) are feeling nervous about the future, whilst a further 23% are specifically worried about their health or mental health.
Overall, one in six (15%) financial services workers feel as though they can no longer continue, or have the desire to continue in their role within the industry, rising to 21% of men.
Gareth Hewitt, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at LemonEdge, said: “An exodus of industry professionals is a sure sign that levels of burnout have reached an unacceptable scale. Any experience of burnout is serious and with thousands of employees planning to leave the industry as a direct result of high pressure, it should be a clear warning to firms before they risk losing valuable talent.
“The risk of burnout to employers is huge, and there are simple measures firms can introduce to reduce the risk of burnout, making the lives of their employees’ much simpler, easier, and with less stress. Firms need to be aware of the impact absenteeism and presenteeism will have on both their employees and business productivity. Just because you’re working from home, or in a hybrid model, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy time off. With one in four (23%) asking for faster or improved technology to eliminate manual processes, firms need to look at their approaches to improve the lives of their staff. In this day and age, technology, not only can but should, provide the automation and flexibility that can contribute to reduced stress, reduced working hours, and lower risk of burnout. At LemonEdge we are passionate about providing the tools and technology that enable financial services professionals to get home on time.”
Boris stuns employers by urging them to use Jobcentres help to find staff
Boris Johnson has stunned employers yet again with the advice to use the free recruitment support from their local Jobcentre to help fill the record number of vacancies in the jobs market and support the continued economic recovery by getting people into work.
Since January, DWP Jobcentres across the UK have been ramping up operations with weekly jobs fairs – bringing employers in for face-to-face appointments and offering jobs on the spot to thousands of people, and finding work for 347,000 people against the government target of 500,000 by the end of June.
Jobseekers walking away with roles have also secured an income, with those getting full time work set to be thousands of pounds better off than if they were on benefits. Helping households improve their finances and manage current cost of living pressures is a key priority for the government, with a £15 billion package announced yesterday to support almost all of the eight million most vulnerable households across the UK.
Boris Johnson said: “With a vast number of vacancies in the jobs market, it is more critical than ever to access the huge pool of untapped talent in towns and cities right across the country, which is why I am thrilled with the progress we have made with the Way to Work scheme.”
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey said: “Unemployment is at its lowest since the 1970s with full time workers across the UK £6,000 better off than if they were on benefits. And there are still vacancies to fill. That’s why our jobcentres are helping employers short circuit the recruitment process so they can get talent in fast.”
Greg Mesch, Chief Executive at CityFibre, visited by Boris, said:”CityFibre is rolling out the UK’s finest digital infrastructure to millions of homes and businesses nationwide. To build these new Full Fibre networks, we’re creating thousands of new network construction jobs and providing industry training to those that need it.
“We and our construction partners are working closely with DWP nationally, and local Jobcentres, by engaging with schemes like Way to Work. We look forward to increasing our involvement in the future.”
Alongside vital job support to help jobseekers secure an income, the new £15 billion cost of living support package will help almost all of the eight million most vulnerable households across the UK as they are set to receive help of at least £1,200 this year, including a new one-off £650 cost of living payment.Lincolnshire man fined more than £21,000 for operating illegal waste site
Lincolnshire man Raymond Wortley has been fined more tea £21,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 towards prosecuting costs after being found guilty of operating a waste site without permission at Crowland.
Wortley, 75, of The Streddars, Hundreds Road, Crowland, accepted and stored waste illegally at his home without a permit. Whilst some of the waste was burned, he also left his gate open which allowed flytippers to deposit other waste on his site.
Waste including tree cuttings, plastics, treated wood and construction waste was kept on land at Wortley’s home between 23 October 2019 and 2 June 2021.
Wortley was told orally and in writing on several occasions that he was not allowed to run the site in the way he was doing. Despite this, he continued to do so. Further visits were made to the site in July 2020. An attempt to regularise some of the activities had been made with the green waste now being shredded but this still required a permit.
In November 2021, the site was inspected via drone and found to be still operating as a waste transfer station without any permits.
Wortley was sentenced at Peterborough magistrates’ court on May 24, 2022.
He pleaded guilty to operating a waste facility without a permit contrary to Regulation 12 and 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016. He also pleaded guilty to knowingly permitting others to deposit waste contrary to section 33(1)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
He was fined £21,693.50 which included the avoided permitting costs and financial benefit Wortley had gained by running the illegal site. He was ordered to pay a contribution to prosecution costs of £10,000 and a victim surcharge of £181.
Peter Stark, enforcement team leader, said: “We take illegal waste activity very seriously and will take the necessary action to disrupt criminal activity and prosecute those responsible. Wortley was advised to stop on numerous occasions but continued to disregard environmental law. He is now receiving the consequences of those actions.”
Your chance to walk away with a prize worth £20,000 at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
With this year’s East Midlands Bricks Awards set to be bigger and better than ever, with nominations flooding in, there’s also a grand prize worth £20,000 up for grabs.
Celebrating the property and construction industry, the prestigious event recognises development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening of celebration and networking with professionals from across the region. Tickets for the event can be booked here.
To nominate a business or development, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include:
The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.
- 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. Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
Lack of Government action to help businesses will put British economy in a stranglehold, says BCC
Reacting to news of cost of living crisis measures announced by the Chancellor, Hannah Essex, Co-Executive Director of the BCC, says the Government must act quickly to prevent a stranglehold being put on the economy.
Calling for a VAT cut on business energy prices to directly ease some of the pricing pressure and break the inflationary cycle, she said: “The sheer scale of the cost-of living crisis facing the British public means the Government is absolutely right to provide additional support to those worst affected.
“For business, the toxic mix of inflation, raw material costs and supply chain disruption is the flip-side of the coin to the problems facing consumers.
“Unless steps are also taken to ease business costs, they will likely feed into the inflationary pressure on the economy and quickly eat into the financial support announced.
“A reduction in VAT to 5% on businesses’ energy bills would directly alleviate some of this pressure to raise prices. The Treasury must urgently consider the actions set out in our call for an Emergency Budget which would provide a way to break the inflationary cycle.
“If we can ease the pressure on businesses then they can keep a lid on the price rises. Firms will then have the breathing space they need to raise productivity and strengthen the economy – but a change of course is needed now. If the government does not act quickly, then rising costs will put our economy in a stranglehold.”
20 jobs created as Industrial equipment provider celebrates new Burton on Trent manufacturing facility
Northbridge Industrial Services plc, the power reliability company, has announced the completion and handover of its new loadbank production facility in Burton on Trent, which will increase annualised production capacity by 60%.
The new1,200m2 manufacturing site will complement existing facilities which support equipment sales and rentals across the Group’s major international hubs in the UK, Continental Europe, the USA, the Middle East and APAC.
The company say: “It will enable Northbridge to meet the current strong levels of customer demand, as well as future proofing operational capacity as the Company builds on its c.10% global market share of the expanding power reliability market.
The factory expansion was completed on budget and on time. It has created around 20 new jobs for the local economy and, with all additional employees already recruited and trained, the facility will start production in June 2022 as planned.”
Following a transformational 18 months for the Group, the development of this state-of-the-art loadbank production facility reflects the future direction of the Group’s core business, Crestchic, which focuses on power reliability to benefit from the global mega trends in data and energy transition. As previously announced, the Group will change its name to Crestchic Plc, conditional on shareholder approval at the Group’s AGM on 9 June 2022.
A formal opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday 6 July and the Company would like to invite institutional investors and sell side analysts to attend the event. It will be hosted by senior members of the Executive and management teams, and the ceremony will be followed by a brief Group strategy presentation and smaller group tours of the new and existing facilities.
Leicester finance firm completes £3.5m deal
Leicester based 2XL Commercial Finance has announced a £3.5m refinance and capital raise for a large scale student property company in Leicester.
The deal has enabled them to refinance away from their existing bank and raise significant capital to invest in future projects and further investment in the booming student market in Leicester
MD Sean Lander of Lander Ventures commented:“I was introduced to 2XL via a friend who had recommended them. From start to finish I worked closely with Darren selecting the best product, negotiating terms and most importantly getting the deal across the line in about 9 weeks. This has been a very positive experience and I fully recommend his services. Darren is fully committed to each client and is exactly what you need to drive your business forward. A first class service”
MD Darren Willoughby commented:“It was a pleasure to work with such professional clients on such a large scale refinance who provide top quality accommodation in Leicester , especially against the backdrop of rising interest rates – The deal allows the clients to grow the portfolio significantly whilst also providing long term stability against possible further rate increases in the market.”
He went on to say: “This is one of many seven figure deals the team have done at 2XL Commercial Finance this year and is testament to the team’s ability to place larger debt quantum’s.”
Senior Lending Manager Emma Goodyear at Aldermore commented: “It was a pleasure for us to support this transaction for Darren at 2XL and his clients, a great opportunity for the bank which was executed well by all parties to ensure a very quick completion time to ensure protection against rising interest rates. We look forward to working with you again in the future.”
East Midlands firms win place on £1.56bn civils and infrastructure framework
Two East Midlands-based contractors have been appointed to a new £1.56bn civils and infrastructure framework.
The news came as national procurement firm Pagabo announced the appointment of 48 suppliers to their brand-new £1.56bn civils and infrastructure framework, which goes live on 1 June 2022.
The awards include Winvic Construction and Whitehouse Construction, Buckingham Group, John Sisk and Son and Galliford Try Construction.
The new framework will run for four years until May 2026 and will allow local authorities and public sector bodies to procure a range of projects such as rail, nuclear, bridges, roads, maritime, telecommunications, water, and alternative power projects.
The company has appointed 48 core and reserve suppliers across the four framework lots, which cover value bands of up to £30m and above. This provides ample supplier choice for clients, with the geographical breakdown also providing equal opportunities SMEs alongside large organisations.
Jason Stapley, managing director at Pagabo, said: “We’re really pleased to see our new civils and infrastructure framework go live with a range of excellent suppliers, especially after such great interest and demand from the market. The framework, which is the first that Queen Elizabeth Facilities Ltd will be acting as the contracting authority for, will provide clients with that all-important confidence in the suppliers they choose for their projects.
“Providing the vehicle for compliant procurement of built environment works means that we have a big responsibility when it comes to helping meet the ambitious net zero targets set out by government. We are committed to working with public sector bodies to achieve this through consideration of emerging technologies and project controls, while connecting clients with the right suppliers.
“Whether it is tackling the impacts of the climate emergency through flood alleviation projects or working towards net zero targets through using alternative fuels or development greener travel infrastructure, this framework offering will make sure that the projects procured through it over the coming years are working towards tackling the climate crisis.”
The civils and infrastructure framework connects clients with the right contractors for all construction projects from £500,000 upwards, providing with compliant access to suppliers with the expertise to deliver any scheme.
In order to be considered for the framework, providers were required to go through a rigorous, PCR2015 compliant tender process, and prove financial suitability and related experience. As well as this, providers on Pagabo’s frameworks are required to share the company’s passion for social value and innovation.
The 48 companies that have been awarded a place on the new framework (in alphabetical order) are:
- ACS Civils Ltd
- Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd
- Amalgamated Construction Ltd (trading as AmcoGiffen)
- Associated Asphalt Constructing Ltd
- Bethell Construction Limited
- Britannia Construction Limited
- Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd
- Clancy Docwra Limited
- Colas Ltd
- CR Reynolds Ltd
- Danaher & Walsh (Civil Engineering) Ltd
- DAWSON-WAM
- Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd
- Esh Construction Limited
- Fox Building and Engineering Ltd
- FP McCann Ltd
- Galliford Try Construction Ltd
- Howard Civil Engineering Ltd
- J Hopkins (Contractors) Ltd
- Jackson Civil Engineering Group Limited
- JN Bentley Ltd
- John Graham Construction Ltd
- John Sisk and Son (Holdings) Limited
- Jones Bros Ruthin (Holdings) Ltd
- Keltbray Built Environment Ltd
- Kier Infrastructure & Overseas Ltd
- Lagan Aviation & Infrastructure Limited
- Lowry Building & Civil Engineering Ltd
- McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd
- McPhillips (Wellington) Limited
- Meldrum Construction Services Group Ltd
- Mildren Construction Limited
- Milestone Infrastructure Ltd
- Montel Civil Engineering Limited
- Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure Ltd
- O’Brien Contractors Ltd
- Osborne Infrastructure Ltd
- P. O’Connor Group Limited
- PBS Construction Ltd
- RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd
- Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd
- Spencer Group
- The Casey Group Ltd
- VINCI Construction UK Limited
- VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd
- Whitehouse Construction Co. Ltd
- Whitemountain Quarries Limited
- Winvic Construction
New fitness facility set to move into Chesterfield’s newly-opened Glass Yard development
A brand-new fitness studio is set to open at Chesterfield’s newly-opened Glass Yard development, just off Sheffield Road.
Studio One is being opened by SRW Fitness owner Seb Walker, who started the business in 2007 and has been personal training in Chesterfield for more than 15 years. In that time SRWFitness has been based in 3 local gyms, a local park and clients homes.
Having previously being forced to go into online personal training as a result of the Covid-19 lockdowns, Seb admitted he was delighted to be welcoming customers to the new centre.
He said: “The Glass Yard is a fantastic location for the studio, just out of the town centre and easy to get to. There is 2 hours free parking so my clients can arrive knowing they can park and walk straight into their session not worrying about any additional parking costs or trying to find a space. The main positive for me is being part of something new and exciting, having a brand-new space surrounded by other likeminded businesses that complement each other is just perfect.
“It’s a brilliant place to launch my first studio and everyone I meet is impressed with the whole development. I think it’s different to anything else around here and it really adds something to Chesterfield and surrounding areas.”
Studio One is described as ‘not your regular fitness facility;’ visitors will not find banks of treadmills or fixed resistance machines. The studio has been specifically designed with movement in mind, where all over body exercises are facilitated by a multifunctional rig, bands, bars, weights and balls just to name a few.
There is a large AstroTurf space for group sessions and classes and a collection of top of the range cardio equipment with treadmill, concept 2 rower and skierg, as well as Technogym spinning bikes for indoor cycling classes. This space enables a plethora of exercise to be delivered and any exercise you would perform on traditional gym equipment can be replicated with ease, and some.
There are other pieces of equipment, such as the fantastic interactive blazepods that help with balance, reaction speed and all other manner of things. The studio has been meticulously designed to maximise the useable space and deliver a unique fun experience for clients. With clients’ age ranging from 16 to 90 years old it caters for all and has classes and programs to suit most needs.
Seb continued: “The aim of developing the studio is to create a facility where people can feel comfortable and at ease to exercise in a supportive, safe, clean, and friendly environment. With all my experiences over the past 25+ years in the fitness industry and previously basing the business in commercial gyms I have taken all the great aspects I’ve seen and wrapped them into a state-of-the-art fitness studio.
“The community and support network that I want to create for my clients is built on my passion to help people achieve what they might think is impossible. That’s not just a body transformation but things like moving pain free, reducing or coming off medication. Increasing self-esteem, improving mental health and so much more.
“The vision for Studio One is to be the go-to fitness studio in Chesterfield for health, weight loss, and lifestyle transformations. To provide the support, guidance, and knowhow to enable all my clients to achieve their goals but more importantly maintain them effortlessly for life. This is not just another gym this is something completely different.
“The philosophy to Studio One is Mind – Body – Move. A three-pronged process that focuses on three key areas to success. The ‘Mind’, addressing the habits and choices that are hampering your progression. Secondly, ‘Body’, what you are putting in your body and how to adjust your diet that doesn’t feel like you’re depriving yourself of happiness! Then finally ‘Move’, this is the exercise that will feel more like you’re having fun and less like you’ve just enlisted in the army. If you enjoy it, you will stick to it effortlessly!”
The exercise offerings available at the studio include:
- SRW45 classes; These are 45 minute sessions similar to traditional bootcamp with up to 16 people,
- SRW1-6; Group personal training I hour sessions with a maximum of 6 people tailor fitted to your needs and also offer a one-to-one personal training option too.
