Microlise team gear up for Cycle Malawi Challenge

Tess Egginton
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Microlise team gear up for Cycle Malawi Challenge

Six intrepid Microlise employees are making their final preparations for the epic Cycle Malawi challenge to raise vital funds to support Transaid’s work in Africa. The demanding five-day journey will see them cover over 500km, starting in Senga and taking in Lake Malawi, Mount Mulanje, Liwonde National Park and the Zomba Plateau in October 2022.

The fundraising initiative is part of Microlise’s employee-led, community engagement activities which sees the Nottingham-based transport management software company, support numerous community and charity groups at home and abroad.

Andree Ball, marketing events manager, Tony King, technical hardware engineer, Tim Featonby, new business sales consultant, Fred Solari, director of sales, France, and Allan Herbert, embedded systems architect make up this year’s Microlise Cycle Malawi team.

The Microlise Cycle Malawi team have raised more than £25,000 so far for Transaid with the help of their employees, customers and shirt-sponsors Bidfood, Co-Pilot, DHL and MEP Hire.

Microlise event manager and Transaid ambassador Andree Ball is an experienced rider having participated in Transaid’s Challenge Zambia in 2018 when the Microlise team of eight raised more than £40,000. She comments: “Safety in transport is a topic that is central to our business. Conditions in developing countries are not always what they could be, and we can help by raising funds for Transaid, whose interventions make a very real difference.”

Founded by Save the Children and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Transaid has been transforming lives through safe, accessible and sustainable transport for more than 25 years across 23 countries.

“The support we receive from Microlise through initiatives such as Cycle Malawi make a huge difference to Transaid’s work,” added Transaid Chief Executive Officer Caroline Barber.

“Malawi holds a special place in our hearts as it was the location for our first cycle challenge back in 2006. Since then, we have worked hard to improve access to healthcare and driver training programmes. In the last year alone, we have been able to support the training of more than 5,225 HGV and PSV drivers and we have reached more than a million people in Zambia with our integrated malaria and COVID-19 programme.”

If you would like to support Transaid and the Microlise Cycle Malawi Team, please visit:  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/microlise-cycle-malawi

New council housing for disused garage sites gets started

Tess Egginton
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New council housing for disused garage sites gets started
Work has started on new council homes following the demolition of old garages in Kirkby. The plans include eight new homes across two sites; three two-bedroom homes on the Ashfield District Council owned garage site on Darley Avenue, Kirkby, and five two and three-bedroom homes on Spruce Grove, Kirkby. These eight family homes will add to the council’s growing housing portfolio. In the past year over 51 new council homes have been built and another 62 are planned. These include 15 family homes on derelict garage sites in Hucknall on Barbara Square, Hawthorne Avenue, Chatsworth Drive, and Chestnut Grove. In Sutton, 31 council homes have been built including five new townhouses on Stoney Street, a mixture of 22 houses and apartments on Froghopper Lane, off Davies Avenue, and four bungalows on The Poplars and The Beeches. Ground has been broken on Charlotte Gardens, off Midland Road, which will welcome 20 new homes in 2023. Cllr Andy Meakin, Ward Councillor for Abbey Hill, said: “It is fantastic that work has started at these two disused sites in Kirkby. We are pleased to be able to provide high quality, affordable housing for residents in Ashfield. “The council has plans to build over 100 new council houses over the next few years and we have made excellent progress with this in the space of a year. We have completed 46 houses so far. This number will continue to rise as we hand over even more quality housing in the coming months.”

Medstrom celebrates employee ownership

Steve Fisher
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Medstrom celebrates employee ownership
Medstrom shareholders have entered into an agreement to sell the entire share capital to an Employee Ownership Trust (also known as an EOT). This is a Trust which acquires and holds a controlling interest in a company for the benefit of its employees, giving the effect of employee ownership without directly owning or buying shares. Medstrom was founded in 2010 to provide hospital equipment, bed management and service delivery to the NHS. Medstrom has developed an exceptional reputation with its customers and more recently has become the only UK owned manufacturer of acute care beds in the UK. The decision to create this exciting new structure was driven by the desire to sustain the company’s independence and recognition of the fact that Medstrom was built upon the hard work and commitment of its employees and is unlike any other company in the industry. David Belli, CEO, said: “Medstrom is securing the future of the business, including its ethos, values and focus on sustainability, whilst maintaining our unique culture.” Scott Apsey – Medstrom Managing Director and CIO said: “It gives us all great pleasure to give something back to our very committed colleagues, as they often go above and beyond their duty to ensure our customers and patients are well looked after.” Rachel Apsey – Commercial Director adds: “The new ownership structure shall continue to provide stability, continuity, depth of management knowledge and quick decision making for all of our customers for the long term. It is therefore business as usual, continuing to do what we do well – focusing on our customers”.

Greater Lincolnshire LEP begins search for new Chair

Steve Fisher
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Greater Lincolnshire LEP begins search for new Chair

The Greater Lincolnshire LEP has begun its search for a new Chair to replace Pat Doody when his term of office ends next year.

The new Chair will be a private-sector appointment and the successful candidate will, along with CEO Ruth Carver, lead the organisation through the next phase of development. She said: “Since it was formed a decade ago the LEP has established a first-class public / private partnership that approaches business growth and local regeneration in a positive and commercial manner. “The new Chair will embrace this approach. Their fresh ideas will help us to navigate the current period of change as the Government focuses on delivering the levelling up agenda and devolution deals. “We need a Chair with strong business acumen and political astuteness who will be happy and comfortable representing the Greater Lincolnshire LEP at a range of events, including discussions with Government ministers, ensuring that Lincolnshire’s issues are understood in Whitehall.” Since 2010, as well as unlocking £500 million for transformational schemes in the region the LEP has created more than 3,500 jobs and 800 new businesses, delivered 75 major growth projects and programmes, supported over 8,500 learners and apprentices, and more than 100 Enterprise Advisers from across business and industry are supporting students in their career choices. For more information about the role, email  ruth.carver@lincolnshire.gov.uk. A full candidate information pack is available here. Closing date for applications is 2nd December and interviews will take place between 9th and 20th January next year.

Up to £200,000 available to businesses to test security of smart devices

Steve Fisher
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Up to £200,000 available to businesses to test security of smart devices
Businesses can now apply for funding to support research into the cyber security of office devices which can connect to the internet, such as printers, cameras, and room booking systems, to ensure they are properly protected against hackers. Thousands of UK businesses rely on these products, known as enterprise Internet of Things (IoT) devices, to increase productivity and enable hybrid working. The government is funding new research to uncover vulnerabilities in these commonly used enterprise IoT products and assess the cyber resilience of these devices. Smart devices in the workplace can collect sensitive data which can be accessed by other users, making them an attractive target for cyber criminals to exploit. While devices may have some protections built-in, products with poor cyber security can leave companies using them at risk. For example, in 2019 Microsoft’s researchers found Russian hackers were compromising conference phones and office printers in organisations across many sectors, though Microsoft was able to successfully block the attacks before they could cause any damage. Successful bidders will be awarded up to £200,000 to test popular devices and help identify if current security measures and guidance, such as international standards and NCSC device security principles, are robust enough to protect businesses from evolving threats. Cyber minister Julia Lopez said: “Technology played a pivotal role in keeping British businesses going during the pandemic, helping the pivot to hybrid working and boosting productivity ever since.

“This research will ensure we have the right measures in place to protect our economy and keep our offices and workers safe from cyber security threats.”

The grant is part of the government’s £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy to protect the UK from cyber threats and grow the digital economy. It supports the UK’s objective to take the lead in the technologies vital to cyber power and secure the Internet of Things and connected technologies used by consumers and enterprises.

Trio of deals done at Borough Hill Farm

Tess Egginton
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Trio of deals done at Borough Hill Farm
Three new lettings have been completed at Borough Hill Farm, Walton on Trent. Printable Promotions Limited, Levison Rose Homes Limited and specialist IT and gaming recruiters, C V Bay Limited, have signed up to the Derbyshire site following the conversion of barns into office accommodation. Phil Randle, partner at Salloway Property Consultants, said: “We are delighted to see Borough Hill Farm fully let. “The landlord, Wheelton Farming Limited, have made an absolutely superb job of converting the barns at Borough Hill Farm into high quality, environmentally sustainable office accommodation. “With soaring energy bills and climate change very much on everyone’s minds, it is no surprise to see these office suites let.” Amy Wheelton, director at Wheelton Farming Limited, added: “We are obviously very biased, but we think this is a wonderful setting located in historic countryside on the side of the Trent valley. “Whilst we have gone above and beyond in terms of providing excellent green credentials, it means a great deal to us that our carbon footprint is minimal, and we are extremely pleased to have found like-minded tenants and we wish them the very best here.”

Lincolnshire Social Housing provider plans new move

Steve Fisher
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Lincolnshire Social Housing provider plans new move
Next spring social landlord Lincolnshire Housing Partnership will move its Grimsby base to Cartergate House, on Chantry Lane in the town. The housing association previously announced the end of its lease on Westgate House, and its search for a new North East Lincolnshire home. Changes will reflect the feedback the organisation received from customers and stakeholders in the preparation for its 2022-2027 Corporate Strategy, Building Better Communities Together. Customers particularly highlighted their desire to see LHP teams in their communities, rather than having to visit an office environment. The ground floor office suite, extending to just under 5,000 square feet has been empty since the building was built by North East Lincolnshire Council and occupied mainly by Wilkin Chapman Solicitors. Murray Macdonald, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Housing Partnership said: “We have recently launched our 2022-2027 Corporate Plan, Great Homes…Strong Communities, which outlines our commitment to a more sustainable future, and working more closely with our customers in their neighbourhoods. “As an organisation we are embracing modern ways of working and providing our colleagues with both flexibility and the most appropriate facilities for them to undertake their role. “We have also seen our customers’ habits change, as well as moving away from the traditional habits of attending a local office, there has been a call for more ways to contact LHP through digital channels. “We work best when we are engaging with customers and other agencies to deliver housing solutions. Such engagements can work better in the community and, sometimes, in people’s homes. “Having a large office with rows of desks is not particularly efficient and so we have taken the view that a smaller office base and increased technology and flexibility will enable us to invest further into the business.” LHP has been advised by Scott’s Property LLP, whose Lawrence Brown said: “We worked with LHP to help shape and create their brief.  The proposal is to fit out the premises in a modern staff focused way rather than straightforward corporate office. Cartergate House  met a number of criteria including flexibility of accommodation, proximity to other services together with sustainable issues such as public transport links and energy efficiency.” The premises are currently in a shell state and contractors will spend the next few months fitting out the premises with occupation anticipated to take place in spring next year.

Multi-let industrial estate, Falcon Works, acquired in Loughborough

Tess Egginton
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Multi-let industrial estate, Falcon Works, acquired in Loughborough
The dedicated real estate investment arm of Quilvest Capital Partners (Quilvest or QCP), QCP Real Estate, working with operating partner Arax Properties Limited, has acquired Falcon Works, a multi-let industrial estate in Loughborough. The 53-acre property, strategically located in the heart of the Midlands’ ‘Golden Triangle’ logistics and industrial area, has strong upside potential with scope for increased occupancy rates and rental income. The property also offers great potential for the development of unused land and the redevelopment of obsolete space into new, grade-A space with a more efficient vehicle circulation plan and with significantly improved ESG characteristics. Quilvest intends to invest significantly in this redevelopment to support the growth of SME businesses in the Loughborough area. Patrick Laroche, principal at Quilvest Capital Partners, said: “We are delighted to have completed this acquisition which maintains QCP Real Estate’s strong legacy investing in multi-let industrial assets globally. “This is a highly attractive property, due to its favourable location and good accessibility, with significant scope for value add through development and commercial initiatives. This transaction is aligned with our strategic commitment to this segment, where we have significant UK experience via previous investments.”

Streets Chartered Accountants supports Family Business Forum event

Tess Egginton
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Streets Chartered Accountants supports Family Business Forum event
As specialist family business and owner managed business accountants, Streets Chartered Accountants are supporting the ‘Family Business Forum – Leadership’ event on Wednesday 12 October at The Carriage Hall, Nottingham. Leaders face challenges on a daily basis. But in a family-run business, these challenges can be complicated – and on occasion, multiplied by needing to manage team-members who are also family. The Family Business panel includes speakers from leading family businesses, including Lindum Construction. The panel will be co-hosted by Streets partner James Pinchbeck and Annabel Jackson Prow from the Wilson organisation. Human Alchemy understand the challenges of family businesses and have been working with CEOs, MDs and their leadership teams in a wide variety of organisations and sectors for the last two decades. Through their programmes and research, they have found that the leaders who exhibit what they call the ‘6 Extraordinary Leadership Traits’ are the most successful, innovative and get the job done. During the Forum, you’ll have the opportunity to examine the traits, mindset and skillsets of extraordinary leaders for yourself and discuss how sharpening these might make a difference in your family business. Listening to the theory is great but hearing from family businesses that have faced their own leadership challenges is just as interesting. The panel members include David Chambers, chairman of Lindum Group founded in 1956, who will share their experiences and insights with the audience and join the Q&A. This is an invitation only event with a buffet lunch served on arrival. There’ll be a short break following the Human Alchemy session, after which you’ll hear from the family business panel members before the Q&A.
To reserve your place at this event please email Ped Briggs at fba@wilorg.com

Derbyshire pub group acquired by investment manager

Tess Egginton
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Derbyshire pub group acquired by investment manager
Investment manager Downing LLP has acquired The Pub People Group of companies and committed to further funding for expansion. Downing has acquired Pub People, based in Alfreton, Derbyshire from its management team – Andrew Crawford and Kevin Sammons – and merged it with its existing investment in Autumn Pubs Limited, which has been managed under contract by Pub People since 2012. Funds managed by Downing will be the majority shareholder in the combined business. The group includes 49 managed pubs and Downing has committed further funding to help the group expand through acquisitions. Kevin Sammons has headed Pub People for over 28 years and has established it as one of the top independent pub companies in the Midlands, with a quality estate and a well-resourced central function. Its estate of high-quality food and drink pubs is based in and around Nottingham, Derby, Chesterfield, Sheffield, and Lincoln. Following the acquisition, Kevin Sammons will transition into a non-executive role, while Andrew Crawford will move into the role of Managing Director. Kevin Sammons said: “I am proud to have led and built this successful company, along with the many loyal and exceptional employees who have been important contributors to that success. They can now continue the Pub People journey along with Downing and fulfil their and the group’s potential. I am extremely grateful for the support Downing has given us over the last 10 years. It is now time for me to step back and hand over to a worthy and capable successor and his team.” Andrew Crawford said: “Kevin and I have worked very well together as a management team for over 20 years. We have together built a company we can be truly proud of, but now there are new chapters to be written. While there are numerous economic challenges on the horizon, we have a strong team and with support from Downing the group can continue to invest and grow its high-quality pub estate.” Nick Carter, associate director at Downing, said: “Kevin and Andy have been trusted and respected partners of ours for more than a decade. We wish Kevin well and we are excited to take the group to the next stage under Andy’s direction.” The Downing team on the deal is Colin Corbally, Gautam Chhabra and Nick Carter. Downing has been advised by Michelmores, HMT and K3 Advisory. Pub People has been advised by Browne Jacobsen and BHP.
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