Forging Ahead – led by Loughborough University and Midlands Innovation – will enhance the commercialisation ecosystem, supercharging entrepreneurial activity, scaling innovation, and creating dynamic new pathways for academic ideas to become high-growth ventures.
This collaborative programme aims to reshape how knowledge exchange, business creation, and investment attraction are delivered across the Midlands, unlocking the region’s research and innovation strengths and turning them into commercial success stories.
By strengthening networks, building capacity, and supporting diverse talent, the initiative looks to drive inclusive economic growth and ensure that innovation benefits communities across the region.
Delivered over five years in two phases, Forging Ahead will first focus on launching and expanding initiatives to nurture entrepreneurial talent, grow investment readiness, and embed a culture of innovation within and beyond universities. It will scale proven models and pilot new approaches that make commercialisation more accessible, inclusive, and impactful.
In its second phase, the programme will deliver targeted interventions to accelerate innovation in strategically important sectors including Advanced Manufacturing, Creative and Digital, Health and Med Tech, and Net Zero. These efforts will help position the Midlands as a nationally leading hub for mission-driven innovation and support regional economic growth and national prosperity.
The initiative is backed by £9.9 million from Research England’s Connecting Capability Fund, with an additional £6.1 million in matched support from the partner universities and regional stakeholders. But more than the funding, it is the depth of collaboration and commitment to transformation that makes Forging Ahead a model for reshaping regional innovation ecosystems.
The Midlands region, with a population of 11 million and an economy equivalent to that of Denmark, has huge potential. Home to 11% of the UK’s high-growth companies, it is a hub of innovation and enterprise. However, despite its significant contributions, the region only received a 5% share of total investment into these high-growth companies in 2020.
This funding disparity is even more pronounced in university spinouts (companies that are spun-out of academic research). Since 2010, Midlands universities have spun out 169 companies—accounting for 14.5% of the UK total. Yet, in their first seven years, these Midlands ventures attract just 15p for every £1 raised by their counterparts in the Golden Triangle (London, Oxford, and Cambridge).
This persistent disparity undermines the region’s ability to attract and retain the leadership talent critical for scaling innovative businesses. As a result, nearly 40% of Midlands university spinouts are founded outside the region, effectively turning the Midlands into an exporter of high-value jobs and R&D-driven enterprises.
While the Midlands currently benefits from a strong university knowledge base and growing investment initiatives like Midlands Mindforge, a patient capital investment company launched by Midlands Innovation universities – talent and expertise remain fragmented.
Forging Ahead will tackle these challenges through a coordinated portfolio of interventions: establishing a regional talent pool, scaling successful accelerators, promoting inward investment, and supporting innovation networks and priority sectors. This will strengthen the Midlands’ innovation and commercialisation ecosystem by attracting IP-rich spinouts and high-growth firms, driving economic growth and supporting the UK’s industrial strategy.
Forging Ahead will create a legacy of collaboration between universities, spinout founders, and public and private sector partners—ensuring long-term support for innovation-led growth and positioning the Midlands as a globally competitive hub for enterprise and research commercialisation.
East Midlands entrepreneurs push ahead despite economic challenges
The enthusiasm of East Midlands entrepreneurs appears not to have been dampened by current economic uncertainty, as the number of new businesses in the region has continued to rise.
This is according to the Midlands branch of national insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 and is based on a monthly analysis of regional start-up data from business intelligence provider Creditsafe.
The figures indicate that there were 2,524 businesses set up in the East Midlands in April, which is a substantial rise of almost a half (42.2%) compared to the end of last year.
The data coincides with latest Insolvency Service figures for England and Wales showing a 2% decrease in corporate insolvencies for March compared to the previous month, with numbers falling from 2,032 to 1,992.
R3 Midlands chair Stephen Rome, a partner at local law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper, said: “It’s good to see some positive figures beginning to emerge for our region, but it is important to consider this data in the context of an economy buffeted by a multitude of national and global issues.
“April’s rises in the National Minimum Wage and Employers National Insurance, as well as new US tariffs, are key considerations for local businesses, as are the local sector forecasts.
“Construction output has been affected by mixed weather since January, while retail has seen a slowdown in spending as a result of this year’s late Easter. Conversely, hospitality income has risen in recent months, driven in part by the warmer weather and an increase in consumer willingness to spend.
“All of this indicates that if entrepreneurs can plan ahead carefully and realistically, then there are definite opportunities for success. If problems arise, however, then it is important to act swiftly.
“All too often, it is not until a company is on the brink of insolvency that its owners seek financial advice. Yet the fact is that the sooner a business seeks professional help, the more positive its outlook can be.”
Aldi to shut Sawley distribution hub as operations move to £500m Bardon site
Aldi is set to close its £64 million Sawley distribution centre in Derbyshire, just seven years after opening, as it consolidates logistics operations into a larger, more advanced facility in Bardon, Leicestershire.
The Sawley site, spanning 600,000 sq ft and employing 400 staff, has been servicing East Midlands stores since early 2020. The supermarket chain is planning a phased transfer of operations to the new Bardon site over the next two years. The Bardon facility, currently under development on a 72-acre former coalfield, will cover 1.3 million sq ft and is expected to be Aldi’s most energy-efficient and lowest carbon-density warehouse.
The move is part of Aldi’s broader strategy to support its UK expansion, which includes growing its footprint from over 1,000 stores to 1,500. The Bardon site is designed to improve efficiency, reduce supply chain costs, and strengthen logistics capacity in line with that growth. Aldi has confirmed that all current Sawley employees will be offered equivalent roles at the new site, which is located approximately 25 minutes away.
A collective consultation process with staff is due to begin soon. No final decisions will be made until that process concludes.
Social landlord raises £46,000 for dementia charity
A Nottinghamshire social landlord has announced total funds raised for its 2024 corporate charity.
Platform Housing Group raised £46,005.67 for Dementia UK; this amount was raised thanks to the passion and dedication of colleagues across the organisation alongside match funding by the Group’s Board.
Throughout the year, teams and individuals went above and beyond to fundraise for the specialist dementia nursing charity. From a 200 mile cycling challenge and multiple skydives, to coffee mornings, bake sales, craft fairs and sponsored runs, the creative efforts and community spirit have been inspiring.
Clare Durnin, chief people and excellence officer at Platform Housing Group, said: “We are so proud of what our colleagues have achieved this year. Dementia UK is a cause that resonates with so many of us and the effort people have put in – whether taking on a physical challenge or organising local events – has been amazing to see.”
Daisy Wilson, corporate partnership lead for Dementia UK, said: “We’re grateful to everyone at Platform Housing Group for their fundraising efforts over the past year. It’s been great to see people take on a host of challenging activities, each of which will help us reach more families affected by dementia through our specialist Admiral Nurses, offering life changing practical and emotional support.”
The money raised will directly support Dementia UK’s mission to ensure that no family faces dementia alone.
One in two people will be affected by dementia in their lifetime, either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it, or both.
Midlands sees permanent placements fall at fastest pace in three months
The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs survey, compiled by S&P Global, signalled the sharpest fall in permanent placements since the start of 2025 during April. Temp billings fell for a third consecutive month, and at the quickest pace in just over a year.
Demand for both permanent and temporary staff continued to fall at the start of the second quarter, and at quicker rates than those seen in March.
Recruiters suggested that fewer vacancies and redundancies contributed to a further uplift in candidate availability, as indicated by sustained increases in both permanent and temporary staff supply. On the pay front, permanent salary inflation remained strong, albeit well below the series average.
Temp pay meanwhile increased at the sharpest rate since last October, boosted by stronger than average increases in the national minimum and living wage rates.
The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands.
Sharpest fall in permanent placements for three months
April data signalled a further decline in the number of permanent placements made by recruitment agencies in the Midlands. Permanent staff appointments were reportedly down due to a lower number of vacancies and weaker demand for staff. The pace of contraction was sharp and the most pronounced since January.
Across all four monitored English areas, the Midlands saw the second-fastest drop in permanent placements, behind the South of England.
Temp billings across the Midlands decreased for the third consecutive month at the start of the second quarter. Panellists generally attributed the latest fall to a lack of demand for temporary staff amid an increase in the national minimum wage and higher National Insurance contributions. Moreover, the rate of decline was the strongest since March 2024. The fall in temp billings in the Midlands was softer than that seen at the UK level, however.
Permanent vacancies in the Midlands decreased for the eleventh consecutive month in April. Of the four monitored English regions, the Midlands saw the second-softest reduction in demand for permanent staff (behind London), despite the rate of decline strengthening from that seen in March.
Temporary vacancies in the Midlands meanwhile fell for the eighth month in a row in April. Though solid, the rate of reduction was the second-slowest of the four monitored English regions (after the North of England).
Stronger rise in permanent staff availability
The supply of permanent staff rose again in April, thereby extending the current sequence of increasing candidate numbers to 25 months. Moreover, the pace of growth accelerated from March and was the steepest in 2025 to date. Of the four monitored English regions, only the North of England recorded a steeper rate of increase. Anecdotal evidence suggested that redundancies had boosted candidate supply.
Temporary candidate availability in the Midlands increased in April, taking the current period of expansion to two years. The rate of growth eased slightly from March but remained marked overall. Panellists stated that the supply of temp staff had risen due to company layoffs and fewer job opportunities. Nevertheless, the rate of expansion was the softest of the four monitored English regions.
Permanent starters’ salaries rise solidly
Permanent starting salaries in the Midlands increased again in April, thereby extending the current sequence of inflation that began in March 2021. Though solid, the rate of pay growth softened slightly from the previous survey period, and remained well below the average seen over this period. The rise in salaries for new permanent joiners was linked by recruiters to efforts to attract suitably skilled candidates, which were often in short supply. The pace of salary inflation in the Midlands exceeded the UK average for the fourth month in a row.
Recruitment consultancies based in the Midlands registered an increase in temp pay rates for the fifth time in as many months during April. The pace of wage inflation was solid, reaching the highest since last October. Where temp pay rose, recruiters frequently attributed this to stronger than average increases in the national minimum and living wage rates.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Kate Holt, people consulting partner at KPMG in the Midlands, said: “April brought fresh challenges to the Midlands’ labour market, with permanent placements falling at the fastest pace since January and temporary billings also declining sharply. With vacancy numbers continuing to drop, employers across the region remain cautious, especially given the higher costs associated with employment that are now in force.
“Interestingly, candidate availability is on the rise once again, with increased redundancies and fewer job openings expanding the talent pool across both permanent and temporary markets. While salary inflation for permanent starters remains steady – and above the UK average – it’s temp pay that has seen the sharpest growth, spurred on by minimum wage uplifts. This combination of subdued demand and growing supply gives businesses hiring power, particularly for those looking to secure skilled talent in a cost-effective manner.”
Universities launch initiative to transform innovation and entrepreneurship across Midlands
A coalition of 15 Midlands university partners has launched a new initiative that is set to transform how research and innovation are translated into real-world impact across the region.
Midlands Rail Hub project to deliver 20 million extra seats
The Midlands Rail Hub project would deliver 20 million extra seats a year for businesses, residents and commuters.
The Midlands Rail Hub proposes building two ‘chords’ and over 10 further engineering interventions throughout the region to deliver a massive step change in rail transport in the Midlands. This will see up to 300 extra trains traveling into or out of Birmingham every single day and will help create a ‘turn up and go’ service on the busy Cross City line.
Birmingham Moor Street will see 14.2 million extra seats and Birmingham New Street will gain an extra 5.4 million seats.
The Cross City line will see two extra trains, in each direction, per hour, which will create 5.4 million new seats each year. Redditch, Alvechurch and Barnt Green will see one extra train, in each direction, per hour and 2.7 million new seats for passengers, whilst Bromsgrove will see 4.7 million new seats. Lichfield will gain 5.4 million seats.
Nottingham, Hereford, Coleshill Parkway, Worcester, Hinckley, South Wigston, Droitwich Spa and Worcestershire Parkway will see at least 2 million new seats. Derby will see 4.1 million new seats.
Andy Clark, head of rail at Midlands Connect, said: “The benefits of the Midlands Rail Hub will be felt by millions of people across the Midlands and beyond.
“Being able to run faster, more frequent services and deliver 20 million extra seats is the definition of a win-win project. The Midlands Rail Hub is our flagship project at Midlands Connect, and we are working to deliver massive benefits to all corners of the Midlands.”
The Midlands Rail Hub project is co-sponsored by Midlands Connect, the Department for Transport and West Midlands Rail Executive.
Contract awarded for major flood defence works in Derby
One of Derby’s biggest infrastructure projects has moved a step closer, with Derby City Council awarding a £38m contract to John Sisk & Son (Sisk) to deliver the next phase of the Our City, Our River programme.
This package of works, known as Derby Riverside, will provide significant flood resilience protection to many properties along the left (east) bank of the Derwent from Causey Bridge to Derwent Bridge.
The newly appointed contractors will be responsible for delivering a new flood wall and floodgates that will offer enhanced protection for Exeter House and properties on Meadow Road and Meadow Lane.
They will also carry out demolition of the riverside office blocks on Stuart Street to create a new riverside green area. This will provide more space for flood water to pass through the city in a controlled corridor.
Enabling works will begin shortly, with demolition and construction work due to start in May.
This will involve the removal of a number of trees along the route, not only to enable defences to be built, but because the riverside park area will only work effectively as a flood conveyance corridor by limiting obstructions.
Councillor Carmel Swan, cabinet member for climate change, transport and sustainability, said: “I’m delighted that the contract is now signed with John Sisk and Sons to deliver the vital second phase of the Our City, Our River flood defence project.
“These works are crucial as we continue to future proof the city against extreme weather and unlock the potential for regeneration along the river. We can now look forward to seeing work begin on site in the near future.”
Alan Rodger, managing director – Sisk Infrastructure, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Derby City Council on this phase of the Our City, Our River programme. We understand how vital this project is for further flood prevention and the regeneration of this area in the centre of the city.
“Our team of dedicated professionals will leverage the latest innovations and sustainability practices to help deliver this fantastic scheme, alongside social value projects in the local community.”
David Turnbull, area flood and coastal risk manager – Derbyshire and Leicestershire for the Environment Agency, said: “This contract award marks another step forward in delivering the Our City Our River Programme and making Derby more resilient to the threat of climate change.
“The Environment Agency are proud to be in partnership with Derby City Council for this journey, and we are delighted to see this complex but vital phase of the programme begin very soon.”
With Intelligence and University of Nottingham agree private equity deal database partnership
With Intelligence and the University of Nottingham have agreed an exclusive partnership for The Centre for Private Equity and MBO Research (CMBOR), to expand access to private equity deal data.
CMBOR – part of Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) – was founded in 1986 and maintains a unique database of 48,000 private equity-backed buyout investments across Europe. CMBOR has an unrivalled reputation, collecting and aggregating quantitative deal data across value, volume, region, industry, structure, and exit.
With Intelligence, the provider of investment intelligence, continues to invest in developing its private markets offering, providing transparency for investors on the full lifecycle of capital allocation from LP to GP to fund to investment. The partnership aligns with recent acquisitions SPS (Sutton Place Strategies), and The Deal, providing deal news, data and proprietary pipeline tracking and deal origination capabilities.
The strategic agreement allows With Intelligence the ability to integrate CMBOR data into existing products, enhancing the breadth and depth of private equity coverage.
Professor Kevin Amess, director of CMBOR, said: “Collecting data and providing market intelligence has evolved tremendously since CMBOR’s inception. We are very excited to have With Intelligence as a partner, who will take CMBOR’s data and reach to the next level.”
For over 38 years, the CMBOR database has been used to produce quarterly reports for industry professionals, academics and regulators. The Centre’s market intelligence on private equity activity and analyses of trends provide independent analysis and advice, to enhance government and industry understanding of the private equity market and inform the development of policy and practice.
Cornelia Andersson, chief product officer at With Intelligence, said: “This is a very exciting agreement for us. By integrating CMBOR with our existing private equity data we’ll bring further value to our customers looking for opportunities within private markets, and improve transparency for investors and capital allocators.” Care home sell-off talks advance amid political transition in Derbyshire
Derbyshire County Council entered discussions with a private care provider prior to the May 2024 local elections as part of the then-Conservative administration’s plan to sell eight publicly owned care homes. These homes are located in Borrowash, Swadlincote, Eckington, Long Eaton, Ashbourne, Shirebrook, Swanwick, and Bolsover.
The previous council leadership approved the move in late 2023, citing financial pressures and the need to reshape adult social care services. The strategy was framed as part of a broader effort to make the care system more sustainable by focusing on dementia support, short-term recovery services, and hospital discharge facilitation.
Despite the political shift following the May elections, where Reform UK took control of the council, the negotiations appear to be ongoing. The incoming administration has not yet named a new leader or cabinet, and it remains unclear whether it will continue with the privatisation agenda or reverse the decision.
The proposed divestment has drawn sustained opposition from trade unions, local MPs, and community groups, with concerns about the long-term cost and impact on care quality. Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green councillors had opposed the sell-off, arguing it lacked transparency, failed to reflect demographic trends, and risked undermining care provision for vulnerable residents.
A separate plan to sell a ninth care home, Ada Belfield in Belper, also remains unresolved. Though it was approved for sale earlier this year, the facility has not yet been placed on the market. Opened in 2020 at a cost of over £11 million, the home had been earmarked for divestment due to projected financial losses.
The R.E.A.L. deal as major group snaps up specialist education provider
Mansfield-headquartered R.E.A.L. Education Limited, a provider of special education services in the East Midlands, has been sold to The Aurora Group, backed by Octopus, in a significant deal in the sector, which was initiated and managed by PKF Smith Cooper.
R.E.A.L. is a provider of independent school placements, vocational provision and alternative provision for young people aged 7-19 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), who are unable to access mainstream education.
Since inception, it has grown significantly, now operating from 17 sites across the East Midlands, which include independent schools, learning hubs and highly specialised vocational provision centres.
The deal follows a decision by the shareholders to transfer R.E.A.L. to new owners. This decision was made after a long period of careful consideration, with the young people supported by R.E.A.L. and the staff team at the forefront of the shareholders’ minds.
The corporate finance division of PKF Smith Cooper was appointed to provide pre-sale strategic advice, identify buyers, discretely market the business, negotiate on behalf of the sellers, and manage the deal through to completion.
The transaction was led by corporate finance director David Crump, supported by assistant manager Callum Leslie. Natasha Scott, tax advisory partner, and Gavin West, indirect tax partner, provided tax advice, whilst Sarah Flear, audit and business services partner and head of the education team, delivered accounting support.
Richard Smith, co-founder of R.E.A.L., said: “Finding a buyer who shares our deep commitment to the people we support and employ was crucial to us, and we are glad to have found in The Aurora Group an organisation that shares our values, commitment to excellence and belief in the strength of our team. Their vision aligns with ours and we are confident that this transition will bring new opportunities for growth and continued success.
“The professional advice and support we received from David, Martyn and their respective teams at PKF Smith Cooper and Flint Bishop was vital in successfully completing this deal and ensuring that our vision for the future was realised.”
The Aurora Group is one of the largest providers of specialist education and care services in the country, supporting over 1,200 children and young people, and are the only B Corp accredited provider in the sector. The acquisition follows The Aurora Group’s expansion into the East Midlands, with Aurora Ryefields School opening soon in Derby, and underlines its commitment to growth in the region.
Dan Slater, strategy director of The Aurora Group, said: “This is great news for the staff, students and families of R.E.A.L. Education. There are many benefits to being part of Aurora, including opportunities for staff to extend their knowledge and progress their careers, and further investment in facilities for students.”
Mark Costello, chief executive officer of The Aurora Group, said: “We’re delighted to welcome everyone at R.E.A.L. Education to Aurora. We will work with staff, students and families to build upon R.E.A.L. Education’s success, providing unique educational opportunities to those that need them the most.”
David Crump, corporate finance director at PKF Smith Cooper, said: “We are delighted to have assisted in securing a bright future for R.E.A.L..
“The work it does and the opportunities it provides for young people are truly excellent, and we are delighted to have advised on the sale of the business to The Aurora Group who share the same passion and care. I look forward to seeing the expansion going forward, and I wish the teams at R.E.A.L. and Aurora every success for the future.”
Flint Bishop, led by Martyn Brierley, head of corporate and supported by corporate solicitor George Ottewell, Janet Rhodes, commercial property partner, Jess Ryan-Dawkins also from the commercial property team and Joseph Weston, employment solicitor, provided comprehensive legal advice to the sellers, while Glyn Abba of EFM offered financial management services.
Martyn Brierley, partner & head of corporate & finance at Flint Bishop, said: “Having supported R.E.A.L. for over 10 years now across various transactions, it’s fantastic to have witnessed first-hand how our clients and the excellent team at R.E.A.L. have grown the business to what it is today.
“Centred on Trust, Innovation and Achievement, which align perfectly with Aurora’s values, I’m really excited to see R.E.A.L., its staff and the young people it supports, continue to flourish under Aurora’s excellent stewardship, and I wish our clients, Aurora and all the team at R.E.A.L. Education, all the very best for the future.”
The Aurora Group was advised on the acquisition by Midlands-based teams at PwC and Shoosmiths. Ashurst provided additional legal support and Womble Bond Dickinson advised Barclays who provided debt funding for the transaction, alongside equity provider, Octopus Group. Meanwhile Nelsons advised a former shareholder of R.E.A.L..
