Central Technology, a Chesterfield-headquartered managed service provider (MSP), has acquired Leicestershire-based MSP, IT3000.
The acquisition marks a strategic step forward for both organisations, positioning them to deliver greater value to their customers.
Ian Snow, CEO of Central Technology, said: “We are delighted to welcome IT3000 to the Central Technology Group. Their approach, culture, and unwavering commitment to exceptional client experience align perfectly with our own values.
“By joining forces, we aim to leverage both organisations’ expertise and experience to enhance our offerings and meet the evolving needs of our clients.
“IT3000, known for its high-quality IT services, has been a trusted advisor for businesses since 2006. Their track record of reliability and customer satisfaction has made them a sought-after choice for organisations seeking responsive IT support and long-term strategic guidance.”
Sam Walsh, Operations Director at IT3000, said: “Teaming up with Central Technology allows us to tap into their scale, expertise, and additional resources. Our commitment to empowering clients through technology remains steadfast. Whether it’s day-to-day IT support or strategic planning, we are dedicated to ensuring our clients’ businesses thrive.”
Rushton Hickman makes associate director promotion
Rushton Hickman have promoted Jade Martin to associate director.
Having initially joined the company in August 2020 in an administrative role supporting the surveyors, Jade quickly progressed to undertaking a role within the property management section. Jade also began undertaking a Chartered Surveyor Apprenticeship through the University College of Estate Management.
Jade Martin said: “I am truly honoured to be promoted to associate director and I am grateful for the amazing opportunities which have enabled me to develop, both personally and professionally.
“Whilst I am thankful that my hard work and dedication have been recognised, I also feel lucky to be in a position where I can continue to learn from the best! This is a testament to Rushton Hickman as they provide the support, trust and guidance for their employees to progress.
“I am excited to take on this new role and continue contributing to the success of our team.”
Director at Rushton Hickman, Graham Bancroft, said: “It is amazing to see Jade progress through the ranks at the company from someone new to the industry to now an extremely talented and professional surveyor.
“Jade’s success has come from her hard work and determination and she has now established herself a strong portfolio of clients who she provides an excellent professional service to.
“Rushton Hickman prides itself on being a progressive company with a commitment to future talent and Jade epitomises all the values we look for and we are extremely proud of her and are delighted to acknowledge this with her promotion to associate director.”
Construction begins at Leicestershire’s first garden village
Construction has started at Leicestershire’s first Garden Village, Broadnook.
Announcing the launch of construction, the developers have unveiled a new roadside billboard as well as the installation of Hollywood-style 9ft lettering made from corten steel.
Raising a glass of locally grown Rothley sparkling wine was the Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Margaret Smidowicz, alongside James Wilson, Managing Director of Davidsons Homes, and Steve Keenan, Construction Director at Cora Homes.
The creation of the new Garden Village includes plans for car-free zones, cycle paths, village square, community nursery and primary school, enterprise zones, allotments and open green spaces that will connect residents to the local landscape.
The project is backed by an investment of £32.6 million – of which over £17 million is being invested into local schools – creating more than 1,900 homes ranging from one to five bedrooms.
Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Margaret Smidowicz said: “The launch of Broadnook Garden Village is a defining moment for the Borough of Charnwood as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
“This thoughtful, innovative design offers a sense of ‘place’, encapsulating the heritage of the surrounding area but considers the long-term future for the new community as it develops.
“I recall the many consultation meetings and I am genuinely delighted and privileged to be part of this special occasion, which will prove to be an investment that provides more than simply houses.”
James Wilson, Managing Director of Davidsons Homes, said: “It is a privilege to be here, today, to officially launch the construction of Broadnook Garden Village – Leicestershire’s first Garden Village. Broadnook aims to bring the very best elements from all your favourite Charnwood villages into one purpose-built community.”
Luke Simmons, Managing Director of Cora Homes, added: “We’re proud to be co-creating Broadnook Garden Village and in doing so establishing a modern, connected community that will offer residents exceptional homes set among landscaped green areas with open walkways to exercise and immerse in nature.
“Broadnook will create local infrastructure, enterprise zones, community hubs and flexible working spaces – designed to meet the long-term needs of homeowners from today into the future. At Cora, we call it Creating Amazing Places.”
Taking its name from a local ancient spinney that runs through the site, Broadnook promises tree lined walks, parks, allotments, wildflower meadows, play areas, landscaped garden spaces and sports pitches. More than 50 per cent of Broadnook Garden Village will be devoted to green spaces.
Iain Pickering, Design Director at Davidsons Homes – and mastermind behind the reinvention of the Broadnook Garden Village concept – said: “We are creating Broadnook Garden Village without losing sight of how we all want to live: as part of a thriving community that feels modern and connected, yet firmly rooted in the beautiful nature that we are lucky enough to enjoy in Charnwood.
“As a local resident myself, it was important that we not only took inspiration from the history of Charnwood’s villages, but also looked to the future.”
He adds: “We have taken many of our design cues from the local Leicestershire landscape: our street signs take inspiration from our neighbours at Great Central Railway; our architecture takes careful reference from the beautiful, period house styles seen in Rothley, Quorn and Barrow upon Soar.
“Our tree lined walk, which is an integral element of our design, passes a nod to Leicester’s historic New Walk. Broadnook is firmly – and proudly – Leicestershire born and bred.”
Broadnook Garden Village will offer modern amenities, including plans for a community primary school, retail shops, care facilities and a new GP surgery. The village centre and amenities will, it is hoped, minimise the need for unnecessary use of a car within the Broadnook village.
It is expected that the Garden Village’s first residents will be welcomed in autumn 2024.
Wild Rutland names renowned local conservationist as advisor
Wild Rutland, the 1,200-acre wildlife and nature reserve planned for Oakham, has named local and renowned conservationist Tim Appleton MBE as an advisor to the project.
Best known not only as the instigator of the world-famous Rutland Water nature reserve, where as reserve manager he took it to international status, but also as the founder of the renowned former Birdfair started in 1989 which has so far raised over £42 million, Tim’s vast experience and credentials in working with nature has given him a keen understanding of the impact of populations on wildlife, which he now addresses as a committed supporter of sustainable eco-tourism.
His work in the field alongside his local expertise means Tim’s insight and advice are hugely valuable to Wild Rutland – which is aiming to sympathetically establish a wildlife, education and leisure destination that is a centre of excellence for conservation, breeding and research of extinct and threatened species in the UK.
Following Wild Rutland’s first public exhibition in March, where it revealed its early plans to residents, it is now developing its full planning application for submission to Rutland County Council later this year.
“Tim is a driving force in local conservation and it’s phenomenal that he is working with us as special advisor to the project,” said CEO Hugh Vere Nicoll.
“We are honoured to have him on board and his knowledge of the Rutland landscape and his passionate work in the area to protect indigenous species is exactly what we look to emulate at Wild Rutland.
“Our ambition is that Wild Rutland will be an exemplar model of a sustainable visitor attraction that puts conservation and education at the heart of its plans, geared towards healing our landscape and allowing a connection to the natural world.”
Tim Appleton said of the project: “I have been a resident of Rutland for over 40 years and the county is known for its rich association with British wildlife conservation.
“I am delighted to be on board as advisor to such an important project for the region which will contribute in a sustainable way to the natural beauty and existing biodiversity of the local area.
“Wild Rutland will open up nature to new audiences and work hand in hand with other visitor attractions in the area like Rutland Water, to ensure the county remains a leader in positive nature conservation tourism.”
ENSEK continues growth with 16 new hires
ENSEK, a retail energy SaaS software provider, is continuing its 2024 growth with the appointment of 16 new team members, taking its total new hires so far this year to 68.
ENSEK, which is based at Hounds Gate in Nottingham, works with energy suppliers and other utility companies to help them improve billing accuracy and customer service, as well as support new product innovation and the net zero transition through its digital platform.
With a workforce of over 430 people, its growth is as a result of the huge change in the energy sector, which increasingly needs agile technological solutions as it moves towards becoming more responsive, flexible and low-carbon.
The latest appointments are in ENSEK’s technology, finance and customer operations departments, as it continues to develop its digital offering to respond to the complex needs of the energy and wider utilities sector.
Commenting on the new appointments, Laura Handley, Head of HR at ENSEK, said: “ENSEK has experienced phenomenal growth over the past year, and the creation of 68 new permanent roles in 2024 alone demonstrates the demand for our services during what is a period of major transition for the energy sector.
“That said, although we have increased our headcount significantly, we remain committed to maintaining ENSEK’s core values, positive work culture and high employee satisfaction. We are proud to be a major employer in Nottingham, and look forward to working with our colleagues to continue our success.”
Acquisitive Ideagen makes second swoop of 2024
Nottingham-headquartered Ideagen, a provider of software solutions to regulated and high compliance industries, has strengthened its support to safety on the frontline with the acquisition of the innovative cloud applications company InPhase.
Specializing in developing comprehensive mobile applications for reporting incidents, conducting audits and ensuring quality assurance, InPhase’s solutions play a key role in healthcare and the public sector, notably within the UK National Health Service (NHS).
Speaking about the acquisition Ben Dorks, CEO of Ideagen, said: “InPhase work with those on the very frontline of some of our most critical services such as emergency responders and the NHS.
“These people, who hold our lives in their hands, need easy to use, accurate, mobile software that helps them carry out their tasks quickly, accurately and with the highest levels of safety and compliance. This is what InPhase does and they’re a perfect addition to the Ideagen suite of solutions.”
Echoing this sentiment, Robert Hobbs, the founder of InPhase, said: “Joining the Ideagen family marks a significant milestone in our journey, representing a momentous chapter in our ongoing story.
“We’re thrilled about the opportunity to leverage Ideagen’s global resources in support, infrastructure and heritage working with healthcare providers, government agencies and regulators.
“As part of Ideagen, our team is really looking forward to driving technological advancements in the healthcare sector and beyond. This isn’t just about expanding our reach; it’s about making a meaningful impact on regulated industries through innovative technology.”
Housing association agrees new funding with three lenders worth £284m
Savills Financial Consultants has helped Great Places Housing Group secure three new deals worth a total of £284m with Santander, NatWest, and ABN AMRO.
Funding of £109m and £100m has been agreed with existing lenders Santander and NatWest Bank, respectively. New partner ABN AMRO has lent 25,000-home Great Places £75m. All loans are revolving credit facilities (RCFs).
All three RCFs contain sustainability-linked performance measures which see a reduced interest rate in the event that Great Places meets agreed energy efficiency targets on new and existing homes.
The housing association will use the funds to continue to deliver its commitments to customers to invest in existing and new homes in communities across the North West, Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Great Places’ current plans include further increasing resources to improve property conditions and customer services, as well as the ambition to develop around 9,000 new affordable homes during the period 2020-2030.
Mike Gerrard, Chief Financial Officer at Great Places Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to continue and develop our relationships with NatWest and Santander and welcome ABN AMRO as a new banking partner.
“We received strong interest from the banking sector for this transaction and it is pleasing to move forward with sustainability-linked funding. Thank you to the Great Places team and Savills for their insight and support.”
Mike Roche, Director at Savills Financial Consultants, said: “There were a significant number of moving parts with these deals, so it is a testament to the Great Places team that they have been able to handle the process so diligently.
“The Savills Financial Consultants team has really enjoyed helping Great Places secure this increased financial capacity at the right pricing to help deliver their aims.”
Jane Johnstone, Senior Director, Housing Finance, Santander UK, said: “We are delighted to have supported Great Places in providing this sustainability-linked facility.
“This funding will ultimately facilitate improvement in existing housing provision and the continued development of much-needed, new, affordable homes. We are proud to work together with providers such as Great Places in this critical sector.”
Martin Skinner, Relationship Director at NatWest, said: “We are a major lender to the UK affordable housing sector and are delighted to continue to support the important work of Great Places in providing much-needed social housing to the region.
“The RCF structure, coupled with sustainability-linked performance measures, will lead to more energy-efficient homes across the North West, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
“We are proud to have announced that in 2023 we completed nearly £3bn of new funding to help more people and families have access to housing. We support around 200 housing associations across the UK and are proud to announce our ambition to provide a further £5bn in funding to support the housing association sector by the end of 2026.”
Rutilio Merien, ABN AMRO’s Head of UK Coverage Real Estate, said: “We are delighted to start this partnership and provide Great Places with new funding facilitating its commitment to develop new homes as well as improving existing ones.
“ABN AMRO is pleased to further support the social housing sector and the inclusion of ESG-linked KPIs in our facility with Great Places resonates very well with ABN AMRO’s purpose and strategy. We look forward to building a strong and long-term relationship with Great Places.”
Alice Overton, Partner at Devonshires, said: “We are delighted to have advised on these transactions and to have supported Great Places in achieving its energy efficiency and wider sustainability ambitions.
“Great Places approached this with dedication and commitment, and the team was a pleasure to work with, alongside Savills, all resulting in a great outcome for the business.”
The transaction was also supported by Addleshaw Goddard and the valuation team at Savills.
EMEC Ecology bolsters expertise with double appointment
East Midlands Environmental Consultants (EMEC), headquartered in Nottingham, strengthens its ecology team with the recent appointments of Chloe Newberry and Athina Constantinou.
These appointments coincide with EMEC’s strong start to 2024, marked by significant contract wins and proactive measures to comply with Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) legislation changes which became mandatory in February 2024.
Chloe Newberry joins EMEC as an Ecologist, tasked with conducting Ecological appraisals, protected species surveys, and BNG calculations for potential commercial developments. She is actively pursuing licenses for Bat and Great Crested Newts.
Joining EMEC as an Ecologist alongside Chloe is Athina Constantinou. Athina, who holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Biological Sciences and an MSc in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Queen Mary University of London, brings extensive experience in conducting protected species surveys, project management, and report writing.
Leveraging her expertise, Athina assists EMEC’s clients in navigating new legislative measures to ensure environmentally responsible development practices, thereby enhancing the natural environment and mitigating potential ecological damage.
Additionally, she holds a Natural England Class 1 Great Crested Newt license and is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
Expressing her enthusiasm at her new role, Newberry remarked: “I wanted the opportunity to join a company that was closely associated with the Wildlife Trust, and work on some different projects and get involved more with one of my interests which are terrestrial invertebrates.”
Constantinou shared similar sentiments stating: “I was looking for a company that would give me a healthy work life balance, but also enable me to work in a sector that I truly care about. EMEC ticked all the boxes and I can’t wait to help contribute to a more sustainable future.”
On behalf of EMEC, Consultancy Director, Ed Tripp added: “I am thrilled to welcome Chloe and Athina to the team during a period of huge excitement. BNG legislation changes represent a great opportunity for us all in the Environmental sector and our role as the consultant ecologist is as much about protecting habitats as it is about offering added value advice to the developer and landowners, so that the communities they create, incorporate diversity.”
As a subsidiary of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, EMEC directs all profits through gift aid to the Trust, supporting nature conservation efforts. Over the past three decades, EMEC has donated over £1 million, financing habitat conservation projects and wildlife conservation initiatives managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Five deals complete at £23m urban logistics development near Leicester
Five transactions have taken place at Genesis Park in South Wigston, near Leicester, including a 6,000 sq ft unit to healthcare automation solutions and service provider Deenova.
Genesis Park is a 128,180 sq ft urban logistics scheme delivered and owned by developer Chancerygate and comprises 15 units ranging between 4,800 sq ft to 18,570 sq ft. It has a gross development value in excess of £23m.
Deenova is a supplier of combined robotic and automation solutions for closed loop medications and medical devices traceability in the healthcare industry. In the UK, it works with the NHS to deliver pharmacy automation solutions which simplify the management of medications and medical devices.
The company has signed a 15-year lease on the unit. Deenova’s other UK office is located in East Sussex and it also has offices in Italy, Spain, France and Malta.
In addition to the letting to Deenova, the unit has also been sold to Sandpiper Formulations Limited Pension Scheme for an undisclosed sum.
Unit 5, which has been let to healthcare company Fresenius Medical Care, has been acquired by Key West Holdings Limited for an undisclosed sum.
Two further units have been recently sold to owner occupiers at Genesis Park. Unit 1, which extends to 9,000 sq ft has been sold to Personal Homecare Pharmacy Limited and Unit 15, a unit of 10,000 sq ft, has been sold to F2 Medical Pension Scheme, both for undisclosed sums.
Five of the units at Genesis Park have now been sold, whilst the 6,750 sq ft Unit 11 has also been placed under offer on a freehold basis.
The nine remaining units at the development range from 4,800 sq ft to 9,875 sq ft and are available on a freehold or leasehold basis.
Chancerygate’s senior development director, Matthew Connor, said: “We’re very pleased to have completed on these recent deals at Genesis Park, showcasing our expertise in working with prospective occupiers on both a freehold and leasehold basis.
“We have experienced a sustained high level of interest in the development and there is strong interest from occupiers in the medical sector given the scheme’s close proximity to Leicester Hospital.
“We encourage any parties interested in taking space at the scheme to get in touch for more information.”
The agents for the scheme are Sutton Phillips, Avison Young and JLL.
Foreign investment in East Midlands businesses falls
Specialist business lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are calling on the government to continue its support for Investment Zones and freeports following new figures which reveal that interest in businesses in the East Midlands from overseas corporate investors has stalled.
The law firm has analysed industry data and says although the UK continues to drive significant interest from foreign buyers, the number of UK firms in the East Midlands which were targeted in an overseas deal, such as an acquisition or management buyout, fell to 27 last year compared to 34 in 2022.
The research says foreign investment in the UK is increasingly concentrated in London and the South East, with these areas accounting for 42% of deals in 2023, up from 35% in 2019.
Bryan Bletso, partner at Irwin Mitchell and a specialist in advising overseas businesses that are looking to invest in the UK, said: “Despite the dynamic nature of global investment patterns, this data underscores the enduring economic significance of London and the South East in attracting international business interest.
“Our research does however also highlight that investment activity in this traditional FDI hotbed is increasing whilst in other regions, such as the East Midlands, deal activity has been rising steadily over the last five years but reduced in the most recent 12 months.”
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) refers to an investment in an enterprise operating in a foreign economy, where the purpose is to have an ‘effective voice’ in the management of the organisation. According to the latest ONS data, FDI into the UK has increased year-on-year for a decade to stand at over £2 trillion by 2021.
Last November, Conservative peer Lord Harrington published a report which called for a change of approach by the government in terms of attracting FDI. The report made several recommendations and the government accepted in its response that it needed to work more collaboratively with local government and public and private stakeholders.
The UK Government also say that Freeports and Investment Zones are a part of their FDI strategy.
Announced in 2023, Freeports are designed to boost economic activity and the ‘levelling up’ agenda by fostering trade, investment, and job creation around maritime ports and airports. Companies operating within freeports can enjoy reduced property taxes and national insurance rates.
The East Midlands Freeport was announced in 2021 and features three main sites: the East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster (EMAGIC) in North West Leicestershire, the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site in Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands Intermodal Park (EMIP) in South Derbyshire.
The government is committed to establishing 13 Investment Zones across the UK, including one in the East Midlands. The expectation is that many of the zones and tax sites within them will go live in Spring 2024 but so far Liverpool is the only one to have officially done this, announcing details of its proposition at MIPIM.
Bletso added: “Government initiatives such as freeports and investment zones could be a gamechanger for providing favourable conditions for businesses based in the East Midlands, attracting more interest and investment in the UK from abroad, and levelling up the economy.
“Making the UK the top investment destination in Europe, attracting new investment into communities and helping to level-up the country, is one of five key priorities for the Department of Business & Trade. Providing tailored support for each investment zone and promoting our offering in this area on an international stage is a crucial part of this.”
Irwin Mitchell published a report last summer which examined the most attractive locations in the UK for FDI. Inner London secured top spot due to its local skills, large economically active population, and many well-respected universities.
In the report’s ‘FDI Attractiveness’ league table, Derby came 27th, ahead of Leicester in 32nd place and Nottingham which came 36th.
