New letting at Burton business park

Tess Egginton
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New letting at Burton business park
Explore Transport Limited, the supplier of Transport and Plant Hire services, have let a 0.73 acre site comprising of hard standing storage land at Drakelow Business Park. Drakelow Business Park benefits from good access to the A38 and is situated just south of Burton on Trent. The business park provides a mix of industrial/warehouse units and hard standing land. Corbin Archer of FHP Property Consultants said: “We are excited to have let a parcel of land at Drakelow Business Park. We have more land available ranging from 0.10 acres to 2.00 acres and we also expect a few industrial units to become available in the near future. “We are continually speaking with local occupiers who are seeking accommodation along the A38 corridor between Burton and Lichfield and I am hopeful that some of the conversations will lead to further deals.”

Browne Jacobson and University of Nottingham launch Knowledge Transfer Partnership to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in legal sector

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Browne Jacobson and University of Nottingham launch Knowledge Transfer Partnership to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in legal sector
Law firm Browne Jacobson and the University of Nottingham are launching a ground-breaking two and a half year Knowledge Transfer Partnership which aims to develop and embed long-lasting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles and learnings into the firm’s practices and processes, amongst its key client-bases and the national legal sector. It is the first Knowledge Transfer Partnership Browne Jacobson has entered into with a leading UK university and is part funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency. Browne Jacobson will work with the University of Nottingham’s leading business unit, Linguistic Profiling for Professionals, in the Centre for Research in Applied Linguistics (CRAL), along with a graduate associate to analyse, review and change the way it uses written, spoken and digital language to ensure it is more diverse and inclusive as an employer. The project will be overseen by Louise Mullany, professor in Sociolinguistics at the University of Nottingham. Browne Jacobson is currently ranked as the UK’s leading employer in the Social Mobility Employer Index, the leading authority on social mobility workplace best practice in the UK. Declan Vaughan, people director, said: “We believe this collaboration is truly ground-breaking. It provides us with a unique opportunity to address the language of exclusion in the workplace. It will help us to better understand and shape how we, our clients and the wider legal profession can improve the way we all communicate to create a more inclusive and diverse working environment.” Claire Stripp, head of talent & knowledge at Browne Jacobson, added: “Research shows using language in the workplace that is outdated can have a detrimental effect on an organisation’s ability to attract and retain top talent, drive commercial success and innovate. “We are passionately inclusive, and we believe that understanding how language can be unintentionally but significantly exclusive, and learning how to communicate truly inclusively, is ground-breaking and will help us to attract and retain the best talent and enable everyone to thrive with us.” Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) is Europe’s leading programme helping businesses to improve their competitiveness by enabling companies to work with higher education or research and technology organisations to obtain knowledge, technology or skills which they consider to be of strategic competitive importance. The UK-wide programme is overseen by Innovate UK and supported by 16 other public sector funding organisations. Projects typically last between 12 months and 3 years. Professor Louise Mullany, lead academic and knowledge base supervisor at the University of Nottingham, said: “We are delighted that the KTP application has been successful. It will enable us to engage in critically important diversity and inclusion work over a sustained period of time, bringing long-lasting value to the firm and its clients. “We are looking forward to applying our inclusive communication solutions package with the business and know that the knowledge we gain in return will deeply inform our research and practices in this area for many years to come.”

CEO Sleepout urges Nottingham business leaders to spend a night outside

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CEO Sleepout urges Nottingham business leaders to spend a night outside

Charity organisers are asking company bosses to join them in the latest CEO Sleepout event which is taking place in Nottingham.

The national initiative raises vital funds to combat homelessness by asking business people from the region to sleep outside and experience one night of what homeless people encounter. This will be the sixth event CEO Sleepout has held in the area since 2016.

Chief Executive Bianca Robinson said: “Every year, the great people of the Nottinghamshire business community have come out in force to spend a night sleeping outside.

“To date CEO Sleepout Nottingham has raised a whopping £237,617 and we’re aiming to reach over the quarter of a million mark this year.”

Speaking of the current economic challenges we are facing, such as the cost-of-living crisis and rising bill prices, Bianca added: “We are seeing desperate inequality all around us because of a turbulent few years.

“Some people will possibly face a real dread of eviction if they fall behind on payments and there is not enough affordable housing to ensure everyone has a secure roof over their heads.

“We need to change this and make a stand against the forces pulling people into homelessness in this country.”

Funds from the November sleepout at Meadow Lane Stadium will benefit charities on the frontline of homelessness and poverty in the area, including Notts County Foundation, Emmanuel House and The Friary.

Denis Tully, the CEO of Emmanuel House, said: “The sleepout is a unique event to raise vital money for charities like ours to fund frontline services for people who need them the most.

“The insights shared about what homelessness is changes understanding and perspectives, which is so important in the long run.”

A large number of local people have already signed up to spend a night under the stars and raise vital funds but there is a limited number of spaces remaining.

Speaking about this year’s participants, Bianca added: “I’m excited to meet everyone who has already signed up.

“It’s an unforgettable night rubbing shoulders with like-minded peers in the business community and there is still time to sign up – all you need is a big heart and a sleeping bag.”

Patrick Dobb, director of Lace Marketing, is taking part in the event for the second time and hopes to raise £1,000. Speaking of his inspiration to sleep out, he said: “I have spent a night in the cold with CEO Sleepout before after I was inspired by a young man called Kurt who was living on the streets through no fault of his own.”

He added: “I would encourage anyone to get involved, it is a great chance to meet like-minded people and raise money for an excellent cause.

“Last year, I signed up 72 hours before the event, so it is never too late!”

The event will be sponsored by 200 Degrees Coffee which has supplied fresh coffee to participants spending a night in the cold for the last six years.

CEO Sleepout is hoping to raise £40,000 at this year’s event to add to the overall total of £3.1 million which has been raised by the national initiative since it was founded in 2013.

For more information or to sign up for the next Nottingham sleepout at Meadow Lane Stadium on November 10th, visit ceosleepoutuk.com/nottingham

William Davis Homes makes three senior appointments

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William Davis Homes makes three senior appointments
Housebuilder William Davis Homes has recruited to three new senior roles to support its ambitious expansion plans. The Leicestershire-based company has created separate land director roles for both the East and West Midlands – to drive the procurement and preparation of land for development – as well as appointing a chief financial officer. Matt Colloby is West Midlands land director, heading a new team in that region. He brings significant expertise to the role, having over 35 years in the industry. Matt said: “I’m relishing this exciting challenge – establishing the new office and working with the team to secure a pipeline of developments, which will supplement our current live sites and planning interests.” Sarah Whetton joins William Davis as East Midlands land director, having already worked for a number of different housebuilders across more than 30 years – much of that at executive level.
Sarah Whetton
Sarah said: “Land with planning consent and in good locations is in high demand. I want to be able to help the company deliver a successful long-term land strategy which means acquiring the right opportunities for the business. “I’m already loving it. I have an energetic and committed team working with me who equally understand the William Davis values and the ways in which we do business.” Chief financial officer Richard Irons qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1999 with KPMG. He has a strong track record in corporate and financial leadership across a wide range of sectors and brings a wealth of commercial and operational experience to William Davis.
Richard Irons
Richard said: “The product here is fantastic and the focus on quality and customer satisfaction is part of the William Davis DNA. I see my main role as helping the company to grow sustainably and efficiently without compromising the qualities for which it’s so well known.” Guy Higgins, Managing Director of William Davis Homes, said: “We’re delighted to have made three such high-quality additions to our leadership team. It’s always been our philosophy that to succeed, we need to secure and nurture the best talent.” Richard Irons and Sarah Whetton will be based at William Davis headquarters in Loughborough, while Matt and his new West Midlands team are in Leamington Spa in Warwickshire. The housebuilder is planning to build and complete the sale of more than 400 new homes this year, at more than a dozen sites across the Midlands.

Administrations across the Midlands leap over 60% as economic headwinds start to take their toll

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Administrations across the Midlands leap over 60% as economic headwinds start to take their toll
The number of companies filing for administration across the Midlands jumped 64% in the third quarter of 2022, as economic headwinds continued to buffet businesses the length and breadth of Britain. These findings were identified by Interpath Advisory in their latest analysis of notices in The Gazette. A total of 36 companies based in the Midlands fell into administration from July to September 2022 – up from 22 during the same period in 2021. This represents the highest number of insolvencies in a quarter in the Midlands since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. August, which is traditionally the quietest month for insolvency appointments, saw the highest monthly number of administrations in the region since March 2020, with 16 appointments. The picture in the Midlands aligns with what is experienced nationally. Across the UK, there was a total of 265 companies which fell into administration from July to September 2022 – up from 176 during the same period in 2021, and up from 243 in Q3 2020. Notwithstanding the uptick in insolvency appointments in the last quarter, administrations both in the Midlands and nationally are still yet to hit the pre-pandemic levels. In Q3 2019, there were 51 and 401 administration appointments in the Midlands and nationally respectively. The rising number of insolvencies can be seen across a wide range of sectors, with building and construction, industrial manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, retail, and the food and drink industry all witnessing increased activity. Chris Pole, Managing Director in Interpath’s Midlands team, said: “The summer months often herald a quieter period for corporate insolvencies, and so the fact that the third quarter of this year, and specifically August, witnessed the highest monthly total in more than two years is particularly telling of the wider challenges which businesses are experiencing. “We know that companies across the Midlands have been wrestling with a myriad of issues for some time, from rampant inflation, to supply chain challenges, to labour shortages, so this is perhaps the first real evidence that a significant shift in activity is now underway.” He added: “And let’s remember: the bulk of administrations seen in the past quarter landed well before the economic and political storm that we’ve witnessed in the past few weeks. “The impact of rising interest rates, currency and gilt yield movements, and the increase in energy prices from 1 October are yet to feed through, but undoubtedly will only serve to compound the extraordinary pressure that local businesses were already under.” Chris Pole continued: “We’re now in a situation where interest rates may well be above 5% by Spring of next year, putting increased pressure on cashflows for businesses with high debt levels, and especially those with an unhedged position. Further, with suppliers trying to navigate the impact of a weaker Sterling, and consumers adjusting to rising mortgages and lower disposable income, businesses are going to be squeezed in all directions. “While the Government has intervened to provide certain relief in respect of rising energy costs and new loans for start-ups and small businesses, for many businesses, some difficult choices lie ahead.” Chris Pole concluded: “Speaking from our own experience at Interpath, we are certainly seeing a rise in activity across the breadth of the Midlands and, based on our current pipeline, we would suggest that by the end of Q4 this year insolvency levels will have risen even further. Identifying cash pinch points and seeking advice at the earliest opportunity will be key for businesses to navigate the challenges ahead over the coming weeks and months.”

Flurry of new lettings at Derbion

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Flurry of new lettings at Derbion
Ted Baker, Sostrene Grene, 200 Degrees Coffee and White Rose have become the latest brands to commit to Derbion, Derby’s flagship retail and leisure destination. Ted Baker have taken a lease on 2,960ft² on the prime fashion level on the upper mall. Nearby occupiers include Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland, JD Sports, Beaverbrooks and Footlocker. Sostrene Grene, the Scandinavian furniture and home accessories brand, have acquired premises on the lower north mall comprising of approximately 6,000ft². Fast growing Nottingham coffee roaster 200 Degrees secured premises on Crown Walk, signing a lease on a unit of 1,585ft² adjacent to Boots. This is the 18th store for the brand, complementing their existing store network in Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham and East Midlands Designer Outlet. Sustainable fashion brand White Rose have opened on Albion Walk, a new 3,000 sq ft flagship 14th store in the region following their recent opening in Leicester. Derbion has welcomed a raft of big name brands in recent months including Tommy Hilfiger, Jack Wills and also announced a £2 million investment into the new food terrace which will open pre-Christmas 2022. Frasers are due to open their new 127,000ft² flagship store in November. Alan Pearson of FHP Property Consultants said: “I am delighted to have secured leading regional coffee shop brand 200 Degrees for their Derby debut, 200 Degrees are a fantastic brand which will enhance the food & beverage offer within the shopping centre. “Leading Scandinavian homeware brand Sostrene Grene are building on their existing presence within the East Midlands for their new flagship large format store, which will add another dimension to the centre’s tenant mix.” Michael Boundy, senior asset manager at Derbion, said: “Our leasing momentum has continued to gather pace this year with a string of major lettings alongside some significant upsizes and store refurbishments from H&M and River Island for their new River Studios format. “We continue to drive forward our investment across the centre to ensure it remains the most attractive proposition for leading brands and our customers.”

Trust benefits from government cash boost

Steve Fisher
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Trust benefits from government cash boost
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is celebrating after receiving a cash boost from a pioneering government fund to drive private investment in nature and tackle climate change. The trust’s project is among 50 schemes to benefit from the final round of the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund. Launched by Defra and the Environment Agency, it offers grants of up to £100,000 to environmental groups, local authorities, businesses and other organisations to help them develop nature projects to a point where they can attract private investment. The funding aims to help develop projects so they can demonstrate a return on that investment by capturing the value of carbon, water quality, biodiversity and other benefits provided by natural assets such as woodlands, peatlands and rivers. Revenue is generated through the sale of carbon storage, improvements in biodiversity, natural flood management benefits and reduced water treatment costs. The primary purpose of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s scheme, known as Derbyshire’s Nature Recovery and Natural Capital Investment Aggregator, will be to facilitate nature’s recovery across Derbyshire by making and protecting more space for nature. Matt Buckler, head of wilder landscapes at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funds from NEIRF to move our Aggregator project forward. “There are several upcoming schemes and income-generating mechanisms such as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Carbon Credits and Phosphate Capture, which pose significant opportunities for the trust to generate income through rewilding, accelerating the delivery of our local nature recovery strategies to make much more space for nature. “As a key provider and protector of wildlife in Derbyshire, our priority is to ensure that these schemes deliver the most effective solutions for society and nature. “Using our specialist local knowledge and expertise, we are uniquely positioned to deliver high quality natural spaces that can benefit nature and generate the wider ecosystem services that society needs.”

Manchester plastic products firm acquires Nottinghamshire business

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Manchester plastic products firm acquires Nottinghamshire business
Coral Products, a specialist in the design, manufacture and supply of plastic products based in Wythenshawe, Manchester, has acquired Ecodeck Grids Limited (Ecodeck) in a deal worth up to £5.6m. Nottinghamshire-based Ecodeck supply a range of building and landscape products from driveway grids, gravel pathway grids to plastic shed bases and grass grid reinforcement. The range of products are all environmentally and eco-friendly being made from 100% recycled plastic. It is currently owned by Matthew and Kelly Staples. Ecodeck, which is based in Sutton-in-Ashfield will continue to operate from its existing premises. According to unaudited financial statements for the year ended 30 January 2022, Ecodeck’s sales were £6.8 million, profit after tax was £0.9 million and net asset value was £1.9 million. Executive chairman of Coral Products, Joe Grimmond, said: “This acquisition further reinforces our focus on niche, specialist operators in the plastics sector. We have an opportunity to leverage Ecodeck’s on-line platform for other group eco-friendly products. “We see significant scope to add value as we integrate the business into the group – the acquisition continues to broaden our group’s product offering and greatly enhances our available market opportunities. We expect this acquisition will be earnings enhancing in its first year.”

Major Nottingham residential scheme reaching to 22 storeys recommended for approval

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Major Nottingham residential scheme reaching to 22 storeys recommended for approval
Plans for a major mixed residential development in Nottingham, comprising a 22 storey tower, 9 storey building and 12 storey building, have been recommended for approval. If given the green light the scheme would be constructed on Queens Road to provide student accommodation and apartments. Until recently the development site contained four single storey industrial units. These have now been demolished. The new development would consist of a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) building with 406 beds, and two buildings containing a total of 238 Build to Rent (BTR) apartments. The developer is proposing to build the PBSA as phase I and the BTR buildings as phase II.

Legal 500 Directory highly ranks Sills & Betteridge LLP

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Legal 500 Directory highly ranks Sills & Betteridge LLP

In another proud announcement from Sills & Betteridge LLP, it has revealed news of its latest results in the world’s leading legal directory The Legal 500. The prestigious 30 year old directory which ranks law firms based on in-depth feedback from clients and peers has reaffirmed Sills & Betteridge LLP’s position as one of the region’s top legal services providers, by again recognising it as a ‘Leading Law Firm’. With acknowledgement for being ‘exceptionally experienced and well regarded’, their family law team achieved Tier 1 status for the first time and all other service areas submitted held their positions in the tier rankings. 15 lawyers across 7 practice areas were given special individual mention for their standout contributions in their field, including corporate lawyer James Conduit who retained his position as a Leading Individual, and family lawyer Chrystal Theofanous who was newly recognised in the same category for her specialist work in the fields of international child abduction, forced marriage prevention, complex care proceedings, domestic abuse and public law children matters. Siobhan Thompson, also a family lawyer, received the accolade of Next Generation Partner following testimonials about her work from leading barristers and clients including praise for being among the most devoted and committed solicitors they had ever worked with. Tax partner David Wood and commercial property partner Melissa Kirk who joined the firm earlier this year were also listed. Karen Bower-Brown, senior partner, said: “Independent assessment means so very much to us so we are all thrilled that a publication as credible as the Legal 500 have acknowledged the outstanding talent of our people and the quality of service we try so hard to deliver.” To view the firm’s results including highlighted testimonials about some of their lawyers, please visit Sills & Betteridge LLP > Lincoln > England | The Legal 500 law firm profiles

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