MMD invests in workplace transformation
OP has been appointed to deliver a revolutionary workplace transformation for MMD, a global leader in material processing solutions for the mining, quarrying and recycling industries.
The project will create a two-storey extension to MMD’s central office building in Derbyshire. It is designed to foster collaboration, celebrate the company’s rich mining heritage, and embrace sustainable technologies.
At the heart of the development is a ground-floor dining facility featuring a commercial-grade kitchen and servery, complemented by modern shower facilities and a dedicated gym area. The first floor will house a flexible games and training space, complete with a boardroom buffet room and an expansive roof terrace.
The office design seamlessly blends historical elements with contemporary functionality, incorporating repurposed materials including recut and repolished granite table tops from the existing building. Heritage features such as traditional panelling and brass lighting pay homage to MMD’s 1970s coal mining origins while creating a modern interpretation of a classic British social atmosphere.
The interior scheme features durable, wipeable surfaces throughout to accommodate both office and warehouse staff, creating an inclusive environment that encourages interaction between all departments. The new extension provides dedicated spaces for movement and collaboration, encouraging employees to step away from their desks and engage with colleagues in a more social setting.
Gary Tailby, Joint Managing Director of OP, said: “We’re delighted to partner with MMD on this transformative project that perfectly balances heritage with innovation. The design not only creates essential amenity spaces but facilitates a cultural shift towards more collaborative ways of working. By incorporating sustainable technologies and celebrating MMD’s industrial heritage, we’re creating a workplace that will serve their team well into the future.”
Graham Griffiths at MMD said: “This development represents a significant step in MMD’s evolution, creating spaces where our teams can come together, collaborate and relax. OP’s understanding of our heritage and vision for the future has resulted in a design that will transform how we work and interact as a company.”
The fast-track project is scheduled for completion in December 2024, and the new dining facility will host the company’s Christmas celebrations.
Burton industrial unit sold
Commercial property agency Rushton Hickman have completed the sale of Unit 9, Derwent Business Park, located off Hawkins Lane, in Burton upon Trent.
The property was acquired by CDS Burton Ltd and the owner Mark Burton said: “I was delighted to purchase this property through Rushton Hickman. Taylor kept me well-informed throughout the process and provided valuable advice on rental terms for our new tenant, Primal Instinct gym, who offer bespoke training sessions and classes to its members.”
The property comprises a detached industrial unit of steel portal frame construction with brick and block elevations beneath a pitched, steel-clad roof and extending to 2,399 sq ft. The new owner and their tenant have since transformed the space.
Taylor Millington from Rushton Hickman added: “We are pleased to have been instructed to market this property, achieving the best value for the site while also advising the new owner on the letting.”
Former owner of the property, Mr Downing said: “The Rushton Hickman team worked diligently to push this sale to completion.”
Taylor Millington concluded: “It’s not very often in the current market that freehold industrial units become available and so when they do it is vital for a vendor to take the best advice to maximise the amount achievable and to make the process the smoothest it can be and we were able to do this for both the seller and the purchaser which makes the deal especially rewarding.”
Forge New Homes appoints Head of Land to drive site acquisitions in Yorkshire and East Midlands
Forge New Homes has appointed Lindsay Salvin as its new Head of Land and Development, furthering its ambitions to secure key sites across Yorkshire and the East Midlands.
Salvin joins the Sheffield-based company from Hallam Land Management, where she spent two years overseeing nationwide land acquisitions. With decades of experience in the built environment, her career includes senior roles at companies such as Vistry Partnerships and Strategic Team Group.
Commenting on her new role, Lindsay said: “Forge New Homes is on the cusp of an exciting new era.
“The team has ambitious plans for growth, and I’m eager to leverage my experience in land acquisition to help secure the right sites that will deliver much-needed homes across the region.
“I look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders to shape thriving and accessible new communities across Yorkshire and the East Midlands.”
Her appointment follows a period of significant activity for Forge, which recently broke ground on two new residential developments – one at Waverley in Sheffield and another in Bolsover in the East Midlands.
Additionally, the company has announced the purchase of a seven-acre greenfield site in Beckingham, an attractive commuter village on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire border from Wilgoose Homes.
Andy Beattie, Managing Director at Forge New Homes, said: “Lindsay is an incredible addition to our team. Her depth of knowledge and experience in land acquisition will be invaluable as we continue to grow our portfolio.
“Forge New Homes is committed to delivering high-quality homes, and with Lindsay on board, we are well-positioned to secure the best sites and deliver our pipeline of developments.”
Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of Yorkshire Housing and Chair of Forge New Homes, added: “Lindsay’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Forge as we continue to expand our footprint. Her expertise in land acquisition will play a critical role in helping us identify strategic opportunities and drive forward our mission of creating sustainable communities.”
Corby company picks up hat-trick of awards in one month
A Corby-based holding company of businesses involved in the supply, distribution and fabrication of wood veneer and decorative laminate panels for the built environment sector, has netted a hat-trick of awards in a month.
See Limited is celebrating after beating off stiff competition to pick up the Sustainability Award at the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards (NBEAs) on Thursday, November 7.
The award recognises projects, innovations or actions that have improved the sustainability of a business and the environment and encouraged customers or clients to do the same to ensure a more sustainable future.
Independent and accredited judges, including head judge Nick Hewer, star of The Apprentice, recognised See Limited’s efforts to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of all companies in its group, including operating businesses – Performance Panels and Bousfields – and across the construction industry as a whole.
These efforts included establishing four key initiatives to fight climate change: producing an Annual Carbon Footprint Report to record the CO₂ impact of all businesses in the group; forming an internal Carbon Reduction Team to implement initiatives to reduce CO₂ emissions year-on-year; partnering with More Trees to plant trees all over the world; and signing up to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to adopt best practice to significantly reduce carbon footprint.
The company also champions a sustainability driven product portfolio and supports customers to make their construction projects more environmentally friendly by providing environmental product data on materials including BioCarbon Laminates and SanFoot® Real Wood Veneer.
When presenting the award, host Alex Horne said: “The winners of this award have proven that they really benefit the environment as well as encouraging others to follow suit. They have shown a real commitment and dedication to ensuring a sustainable future.”
This latest win follows the company winning the Green Award at the NNBN Awards and national award success, as the Gold Winner in the Sustainability Award category at the National Building & Construction Awards – both in October. See Limited was also a finalist at the Building Innovation Awards in the Best Carbon Reduction Innovation or Practice category in Manchester on Thursday, October 17.
Robert Thompson, CEO of See Limited, said: “Sustainability is a daily topic of conversation for us, so it is great to start receiving awards and recognition for the moves we have made to reduce our carbon emissions across all of our businesses.
“Not only do we want to reduce our own carbon footprint, we also want to make it easier for contractors to make more sustainable choices with their buildings and encourage those within our supply chain to start adopting more sustainable practices.
“We’re proud to lead by example in our industry and if we all make small changes, it can have a big impact on people and the planet.”
Lincolnshire-headquartered Jointline makes £300,000 investment in hydroblasting
Lincolnshire-headquartered specialist civil engineering firm Jointline has fuelled its continued expansion with a £300,000 investment in hydroblasting technology. Established in 1987, the privately-owned company – which works across highways, airport runways and internal lining projects – is on track to achieve a record annual turnover approaching £18m.
The hydroblasting equipment delivers rapid line and rubber removal and retexturing across concrete, asphalt and composite surfaces. The new investment has enabled the company to add a service that had been wholly outsourced to its raft of in-house capabilities.
Two members of staff have been recruited to operate Jointline’s new hydroblaster unit, which benefits from a bespoke fit-out, eight-hour operation and low noise emission. Two high-performance jet driers have also been purchased to enable quick drying across external surfaces.
Gary Massey, Managing Director of Jointline, said: “The demand for hydroblasting from airfields, National Highways, tier one contractors, and local authorities led to our strategic decision to invest in bespoke machinery and boost our in-house capabilities. While we will continue to work with preferred supply partners on some major projects, by self-delivering this service we can be more flexible and reactive to client needs.
“We are proud that one of the new members of staff we have taken on to operate the hydroblaster is ex-army and applied for the role because he saw that we were members of the Armed Forces Covenant.
“It is encouraging to see the new wave of infrastructure projects being tendered across the UK and overseas in recent months, which will help to our expansion plans. We are also eager to see the detail of the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy, which is anticipated to be published in late spring. The early success of this investment may even lead to us commissioning additional hydroblasting units next year.”
Jointline’s recent hydroblasting projects include the removal of thermoplastic lining at Immingham Docks for Dyer & Butler, to make way for the installation of new walkways. The firm has also removed epoxy road markings and parking areas airside at Heathrow Airport for Ferrovial to allow for temporary roadway linings to be applied.
In Norfolk, Jointline was commissioned by Tarmac to remove old road markings and install a new cycle path and thermoplastic road marking configuration.
Jointline has four main divisions; airfields; highways; off-highways and civils; and maintenance. Earlier this year, it deployed £1m of company funds in the investment of specialist grooving plant and machinery and took the headcount of skilled professionals to a record high of 120 employees.
The Witham St Hughs-headquartered firm has recently completed extensive rehabilitation works and grooving on the Southern Runway at Heathrow Airport, along with the significant Aircraft Servicing Platform (ASP) replacement works at a military airbase in Lincolnshire.
The team has also successfully completed a comprehensive National Highways project to upgrade M1 North and Southbound carriageways from Junctions 39 to 42.
The firm has undertaken renovation and improvement works at the majority of major civilian airports in the UK, as well as runways across continental Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America.
Caitlin Southall joins WBR Group as Head of SSAS Proposition
Leicester-headquartered WBR Group, the independent provider of SSAS services and tax experts, has appointed Caitlin Southall as the Head of SSAS Proposition, a newly created role.
Caitlin has over 12 years of self invested pensions experience and joins WBR Group from Nucleus Financial, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in the pension sector.
Caitlin’s appointment is effective immediately, she reports to Martin Tilley and will be based at WBR Group’s Wimbledon office but will spend time between all six offices.
Her role will include the review, development and promotion of the professional services offered by the group to their SSASs and sponsoring employers.
Caitlin Southall has an impressive background in the financial services industry.
Prior to her role as Senior Technical Marketing Manager at Nucleus Financial, she served as a Pension Technical Manager at Curtis Banks, where she was responsible for developing and managing pension products, providing technical support, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Caitlin was also active in thought leadership, contributing to industry discussions on topics such as the gender pension gap and pension policy reforms.
She is also known for her industry expertise on pension issues, having contributed to various industry publications and podcasts.
Martin Tilley, COO of WBR Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Caitlin to our team. Her extensive experience and innovative approach will be invaluable as we continue to develop and expand our SSAS proposition. This appointment underscores our commitment to providing the highest levels of service and innovation to our clients.”
Caitlin Southall, Head of SSAS Proposition, said: “Having spent my 12 year career at Suffolk Life, Curtis Banks and latterly at Nucleus Financial, it was a difficult decision to leave the business I had seen grow and develop so much.
“But when the opportunity came to step into the senior leadership team of such a dynamic and thriving business, I couldn’t turn it down. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and success of the company, and I look forward to working with the talented team at WBR Group.”
Derbyshire firm acquired to form data protection powerhouse
Databarracks, the technology and business resilience specialist, has acquired COOLSPIRiT.
The Commvault Solution Provider Partner now joins Databarracks, the Managed Service Partner, to form a “data protection powerhouse.”
COOLSPIRiT’s CEO Damon Robertson said: “We’re thrilled to be joining a team who like us, have spent over 20 years protecting organisation’s data and continuity. I’ve known Databarracks Co-Founder Peter for a long time and Databarracks is an organisation that we know will be a great home and fit for our team and our customers.”
Databarracks Managing Director, James Watts said: “Three years ago we acquired 4sl, to become the UK’s largest Commvault MSP. With COOLSPIRiT, we add a fantastic Solution Provider and CASP capability.”
Robertson continued: “From our innovative infrastructure, cyber and data protection capabilities to Databarracks’ expertise in Business Resilience and Public Cloud, there are immediate benefits for customers of both organisations.
“Over the last few years, Commvault has made some terrific acquisitions and innovations and is shifting to subscription services. It aligns exactly with what Databarracks is doing in public cloud data protection and cyber resilience. Together, we have the best team in the industry and a global delivery capability using the public cloud.”
Watts continued: “In addition to COOLSPIRiT’s expertise in Commvault, it also offers many other technologies across data protection, infrastructure, storage and cyber and brings some fantastic partnerships.
“When COOLSPIRiT and Databarracks were founded, we were protecting organisations against data loss and downtime caused by IT failures, fires or floods. We’ve since entered the cyber-era. Organisations still face those threats, but now too, the existential threat of ransomware and cyber.
“There are very few true data protection specialists and fewer still who can also help address the growing cyber, business continuity and resilience challenges.
“Our vision is that the only way to guarantee your recoverability and have confidence in continuity is with a holistic, integrated approach. IT Operations, Cyber, Risk, and Business Continuity can’t be siloed. Great response capability is only possible when the functions work together in concert.
“At Databarracks, we don’t just provide technology, we deliver outcomes for our customers. Prepared teams, organised response, faster recovery, reduced risk and improved resilience. The right technologies are vital but must be combined with the people and process to match. That is the value we add.”
Administration sale saves manufacturing business
A Lincolnshire manufacturing business has been saved and jobs preserved following its fall into administration.
Gareth Harris and Deviesh Raikundalia of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of MTAG Composites Limited, MTAG (Holdings) Limited and Electric Future Group Limited on 12 July 2024.
Based in Coningsby, MTAG Composites is the trading company in the group which manufactures composite parts for the rail, aerospace, automotive, construction and leisure sectors.
Following RSM’s appointment, the Joint Administrators temporarily ceased operations to assess the position, but since 19 July have continued to trade the Composites business with the support of its highly skilled workforce and key customers whilst seeking a sale of the business and assets.
As a result of that process the business and assets of MTAG Composites Limited were sold on 14 November 2024 to a new entity, GRP Alliance Limited which intends to continue to trade from the existing site in Lincolnshire without interruption and who have a first option to purchase the assets of MTAG (Holdings) Limited within the coming months.
RSM was advised by Sarah Foster, Natalie Bromley and Jawad Ilyad from Addleshaw Goddard solicitors, with support from Sanderson Weatherall agents.
Deviesh Raikundalia, Restructuring Advisory Director at RSM and Joint Administrator, said: “We are delighted to have preserved specialist employment in the local economy, and completed the sale of this well-respected business.
“We also welcome the new investment that the purchaser is providing for MTAG, which ought to secure its long-term future and create a platform for growth. We are particularly grateful to the loyal staff, customers and other stakeholders who have supported us during our trading period given the uncertainty of the outcome following our sudden appointment.”
Ten aspiring Northamptonshire entrepreneurs become second cohort in Vulcan Creatives business incubation programme
Ten aspiring entrepreneurs have become the second cohort chosen to take part in Northamptonshire’s Vulcan Creatives business incubation programme.
Vulcan Creatives, which launched last year with the inaugural group, is a free six-month initiative run by the team at Northampton’s serviced workspace Vulcan Works.
Led by Vulcan Works’ on-site business growth manager Darren Smith and funded by West Northamptonshire Council utilising £40,000 of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Vulcan Creatives supports ambitious local people hoping to kick start a new business or grow an existing idea with specialist support.
The programme opened for applications in the summer and almost 50 entries were sent in. Those were then whittled down to the final 10 businesses. They are:
- Saphiah Otuo-mensah, who offers Mensah Wellbeing assessments, therapy and training
- Adam Lee, who founded the Northampton-based coffee brand Shoetown Coffee with his brother
- Robert Lambert, who has a Game & Digital Media Development company
- Amy Lin, preschool education company
- Danielle Heneghan runs a Human-Centric UI/UX and Web Development Agency with a focus on AI-driven solutions and accessibility for the neurodiverse
- Olivia Krawczyk, a graphic designer
- Tia Dang, creative design studio specialising in branding, social media management, photography, and videography
- Ben Hellon, fitness and wellness services, primarily designed to support former prisoners
- Blandine Davies, non-invasive aesthetics, health and wellness treatments
- Faye Taylor, web developer and host
Nielsen McAllister joins DF4TA’s 100 Club as the Derby charity fundraises to fight food poverty in run up to Christmas
Derby-based PR and communications specialist Nielsen McAllister has announced a series of plans to support Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance (DF4TA) as the city-based charity launches its Christmas campaign for those facing food insecurity.
The St Peters Quarter business, based on Green Lane, has become the latest sponsor of the charity’s 100 Club, pledging £100 for each of the next 12 months which will help feed 20 children for three days a month – equating to 240 children a year.
The team selected DF4TA as Nielsen McAllister’s charity partner for the year and has already seen two members use their employee ‘Charity Days’ to provide hands-on assistance.
Digital marketing apprentice, Rory Hay and account executive Tom Starkey, provided help straight away, spending a day working with DF4TA following its hugely successful school uniform appeal from earlier this year.
More than 3,000 items of clothing were donated during a five-day pop-up Uniform Shop at the Derbion Community Hub and both Rory and Tom helped move the items for distribution.
Tom Starkey said: “Rory and I had a great day helping DF4TA. It was rewarding to know that each box would be going to help children in need, and we’re proud to support such a worthy cause.”
With its sponsorship cementing recent support provided to the charity, the agency is also joining DF4TA’s reverse advent calendar campaign this December. Here members of the team will donate one item of food a day to provide goods that will be distributed to people in need across the city.
Paul Brookhouse, manager of the Derby charity, said: “We are enormously grateful to Nielsen McAllister for its ongoing sponsorship. Donations of money and time are essential to our future and make a massive difference to the help we can provide to those in need.”
This month, DF4TA celebrates the first anniversary of its 100 Club and has revealed that 25 businesses signed up for the fundraising campaign in 2024. Despite this success, the charity is seeking more businesses to sign up to its campaign and support it buy urgently needed food items, particularly in the run up to Christmas.
Paul said: “We often find it hard to feed all the families who come to us asking for help. More people than ever before are struggling with food insecurity, and quite often we have to make an urgent appeal for donations.
“We would be delighted if more businesses could help us in any way they can. Their support will help us make a real difference to so many at this time of year.”
According to recent data revealed at The Derby Child Poverty Summit this year, 38.3% of all children in Derby city are living in poverty – and this number is rising. Broken down further, nearly half of all children (47.6%) of those living in the Derby South constituency are doing so in poverty.
Simon Wildash, Managing Director at Nielsen McAllister, said: “Sadly, there are too many families and children in the city who are facing food insecurity and so we are proud to be able to support the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance as they seek to help those in need.
“Rory and Tom really enjoyed volunteering at DF4TA this month and we hope that through providing practical support alongside joining the 100 Club we will be able to help Paul and the team in the run up to Christmas and beyond.”
