EY appoints new Midlands managing partner
Sixth Silverstone Soccer sees success
YMCA Derbyshire partners with Vaillant for community transformation
YMCA Derbyshire and Vaillant are strengthening their collaboration to drive lasting community impact. Since their partnership began in August 2024, the two organisations have made significant strides in supporting local residents, with Vaillant providing both financial aid and technical assistance to vulnerable groups.
Vaillant, a leader in heating and renewable energy, has had a strong presence in the region for over 90 years, with its UK headquarters in Belper since 1966. Recently, the company expanded its manufacturing capabilities with a new facility in Derby to meet the increasing demand for low-carbon heating solutions.
Vaillant’s support includes a £20,000 donation to YMCA Derbyshire’s Padley@YMCA Resilience Hub, aimed at assisting individuals and families facing homelessness and poverty. Additionally, Vaillant responded promptly when YMCA’s main campus faced boiler failures, ensuring 87 residents had access to heating and hot water.
The partnership has also extended to fundraising, with Vaillant volunteers raising nearly £3,000 for YMCA Derbyshire’s Sleep Easy event, contributing to a total of £37,429. Looking forward, Vaillant plans to continue its support through employee volunteering in local community projects.
Together, YMCA Derbyshire and Vaillant are creating tangible, long-term change, with a shared focus on enhancing social well-being and community resilience.
Leicester and Leicestershire’s Local Skills Initiative drives business growth and skill development
Leicester and Leicestershire’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) has made significant strides since its launch in 2023, with progress reported in improving facilities and aligning educational offerings with industry needs. The initiative, aimed at positioning the region as a leader in workforce development, received strong backing from the Department for Education and is spearheaded by East Midlands Chamber.
Among its successes, the programme saw 99.25% of a £1.5 million funding allocation utilised by local colleges to enhance training facilities and develop courses aligned with industry demands. Leicester College has integrated sustainable energy solutions, including electric vehicle charging stations, solar panels, and battery storage systems, into its training facilities. Loughborough College has also refurbished its premises and expanded electric vehicle training offerings. Additionally, 148 learners completed new short courses designed to meet business needs, with 11 more planned by March 2025.
Looking ahead, the LSIP recommends expanding professional development frameworks, creating SME-focused leadership programmes, and increasing high-quality English language training. Plans also include raising awareness of T-Level qualifications and strengthening local apprenticeship networks.
With many businesses struggling to fill roles with qualified candidates, these initiatives are critical in bridging skills gaps and fostering economic growth across Leicester and Leicestershire.
Research centre launched by universities of Sheffield, Newcastle and Nottingham to position UK as a global leader in clean technology
A major new research centre set to position the UK as a global leader in clean technology by replacing fossil petrochemicals and recycling industrial waste using sustainable chemistry, is being launched by researchers at the universities of Sheffield, Newcastle and Nottingham.
As referenced in the UK government’s recent Industrial Strategy, Great British (GB) Chemicals brings together researchers from a total of 10 universities who will work with stakeholders throughout the chemical industry to produce cleaner versions of the chemicals that we depend on in our modern lives, to reduce pollution, ensure resilience, and secure economic sustainability.
The centre is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Natural Environment Research Centre (NERC).
Led by Professor Peter Styring from the University of Sheffield, and Professors Libby Gibson from Newcastle University and Mike George from the University of Nottingham, GB Chemicals aims to accelerate the deployment of world-leading laboratory research through real-world demonstration and validation, and promote UK investment, job creation and potential export markets for the chemical industry.
Kedar Pandya, executive director for strategy at EPSRC, said: “This investment by EPSRC and NERC will drive a sustainable chemical industrial future, shifting the UK away from environmentally harmful processes towards circular alternatives that improves peoples’ lives and drive economic growth.
“Working closely with industry partners, this will be a systems approach that optimises the interdependencies between environmental net gain, decarbonisation, and resource efficiency.
“By embedding environmental science within manufacturing solutions, we’re enabling an environmentally sound net zero transition that has a positive impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural resources – aligning with priorities in the clean energy industries sector plan.”
Professor Peter Styring, professor of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the University of Sheffield and co-director of GB Chemicals, said: “The award of Great British Chemicals reflects a great effort by our 10-university team to put a sustainable chemicals industry at the forefront of a long-needed transition.
“We will take emissions from foundation industries to provide the feedstocks to drive future chemicals production. One of the things that shone through during the process was the enthusiasm of the team to succeed and to help develop a world-leading new chemicals sector.
“There will be challenges: technical, economic and social, however we have the right team to deliver that to where there are currently gaps, and we have the flexibility in funding to bring in new partners and stakeholders.
“We already have combined experience in developing technologies to pre-commercial systems and we have shown that working as teams on a consolidated whole systems approach can deliver results at an accelerated pace. Co-creation with our stakeholders can drive that even more when we work together as a focused team.”
Professor Libby Gibson, professor of Energy Materials at Newcastle University, and co-director of GB Chemicals, said: “I’m delighted that we have been awarded the opportunity to lead Great British Chemicals. Carbon from the petrochemical industry is embedded in almost every manufactured product.
“If we want to cut pollution, improve health outcomes, become more resilient, grow the economy, provide jobs and keep products affordable, we need to urgently accelerate the deployment of smarter technology that keeps carbon in use rather than digging it up and then discarding it.
“This award enables us to unlock that opportunity, by driving innovation from the lab bench to the industrial backbone through our partnerships, pilots, data, and training. Ultimately, this will enable the community to secure investment, strengthen policy and create a lasting benefit for the planet.”
Professor Michael George, professor of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, and co-director of GB Chemicals, said: “The UK chemical using industries are an under-appreciated jewel in our country’s economy. I am thrilled to be part of Great British Chemicals, helping to shift this sector towards sustainable operations. Success needs the participation of our wide range of university and industrial stakeholders focusing on the skills agenda.
“Our centre recognises the vital role of technical professionals in research across academia and industry. This includes partnership with the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy, aligning with the Technician Commitment to support visibility, opportunity and the sustainability of skills.”
Great British Chemicals is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Natural Environment Research Council, both part of UKRI. The centre will be funded at a full economic cost of £22.5 million for seven years.
GB Chemicals will begin officially on 1 August 2025, although work has already begun to ensure the consortium hits the ground running.
Rotherhill acquires modern Leicestershire industrial unit
Leicester hospital submits plans to expand cancer treatment facilities
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has put forward a proposal to extend the Osborne building at Leicester Royal Infirmary, aiming to boost its cancer treatment capacity. The extension would accommodate a new aseptic pharmacy, designed to enhance the preparation of injectable medicines in sterile environments.
The existing pharmacy facilities are unable to meet the growing demand for cancer treatments and clinical trials. With cancer diagnoses rising at a rate surpassing the national average, the proposed first-floor extension will support an increase in treatment production to keep pace with both current and future demand. This expansion is considered essential for sustaining the hospital’s cancer services and enhancing patient care.
UK Government drives future of manufacturing with 3D printing investment
The UK Government is ramping up its focus on advanced manufacturing, with a new initiative aimed at enhancing productivity and positioning the country as a global leader. The Modern Industrial Strategy introduces a £4.3 billion investment, targeting a variety of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, and agricultural technology, with a strong emphasis on 3D printing.
By 2035, the UK is set to double its investment in advanced manufacturing, specifically in additive manufacturing technologies like 3D printing. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to reduce dependency on international supply chains and boost domestic production capacity.
Among the notable measures is £86 billion in funding for research and development across multiple industries, including a considerable portion allocated to digital and manufacturing innovations. Specifically, £2.8 billion will be dedicated to advancing R&D in the manufacturing sector, ensuring that businesses adopt cutting-edge solutions in automation and digital fabrication.
One significant aspect of the plan is the commitment to Made Smarter Innovation (MSI), which has already attracted £202 million in private investment, driving the development of digital technology solutions for the manufacturing industry. Public-private collaborations will continue to support efforts to expand 3D printing applications, helping to reshape industries such as aerospace and automotive.
The UK government is also addressing the skills gap with investments in STEM education and training, ensuring that the workforce is prepared for the demands of advanced manufacturing. This includes £395 million for the Henry Royce Institute, which will continue to spearhead materials research and innovation.
The strategic focus on additive manufacturing is further exemplified in defence, with the Ministry of Defence integrating 3D printing into its long-term plans to enhance supply chain resilience. The UK Government’s investment in aerospace 3D printing initiatives also promises to make significant strides in reducing costs and improving sustainability in the sector.
In response to these developments, industry leaders have highlighted the potential for these investments to reshape UK manufacturing, reduce reliance on overseas production, and lead the way in advanced manufacturing technologies. The strategy reflects a shift towards long-term planning, with the UK positioning itself for continued leadership in the global manufacturing landscape.
Recognise Bank completes £1.79m bridging loan for Lincolnshire developer
Pension reforms risk higher prices, fewer jobs and slower growth, warns FSB
- Phase two of the Pensions Review to explicitly examine how workplace pension changes impact small employers and learn from how auto-enrolment has been rolled out until now. The review must look closely at the financial and admin burden on small businesses, including the cost of advice, running payroll, and getting to grips with the rules before bringing in any new proposals.
- Ministers to commission a full cross-cutting economic assessment before any changes to pension rules are made, which includes the impact of recent rises in National Insurance and the National Living Wage, to ensure small firms are not hit with unaffordable costs or forced into tough choices like raising prices or cutting jobs. Last November, the Labour Government said it would only make changes to auto-enrolment if the impact on businesses was fully considered.
- No changes be made to the earnings threshold, no increase to employer contributions and no lowering of the age limit before the economic assessment is complete.
- The Government to convene regulators, including The Pensions Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority, and industry stakeholders, to simplify pension rules and provide clearer guidance for small employers, reducing complexity and unnecessary admin. This would be a pro-growth, pro-employment move.
- When considering pensions adequacy, the Government should look beyond just increasing contributions – considering scheme performance, investment returns and the real-world impact on small employers and employees. Poor fund performance leading to lower pensions later in life should not be masked by simplistic debates on contribution levels.
