Countdown begins for the 14th Annual Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo – Just 3 weeks away
With just three weeks remaining until the highly anticipated 14th Annual Property & Business Investment Lincolnshire Expo, preparations are well underway for what promises to be an exciting and informative event.
Sponsored by Team Lincolnshire and the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, the expo serves as a premier networking and knowledge-sharing opportunity for professionals across a wide range of industries, including Property, Construction, Finance, Investment, Inward Investment, Public & Private Sectors, and Professional Services.
The expo will take place on 26th March 2025 at the Bentley Hotel, located in South Hykeham, Lincoln (LN6 9NH), offering easy access and ample free parking for all attendees. The event is the perfect platform to explore new business opportunities, gain valuable insights from industry experts, and connect with key decision-makers.
This year’s event will feature three speed networking sessions throughout the morning, offering attendees the chance to engage in fast-paced, structured networking with fellow professionals. These sessions are designed to help individuals build valuable connections quickly and effectively.
To close the event, there will be a networking lunch at 2:00 PM, hosted by event sponsors Team Lincolnshire and the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce. Tickets to the lunch are available for just £15 plus VAT and can be purchased at https://businessshowsgroup.co.uk/product/network-lunch-lincolnshire-delegates/.
Registration for the event is now open. For more details on the full schedule of exhibitors, speakers, and networking opportunities, and to register, please visit https://businessshowsgroup.co.uk/register/.
Event Details:
Date: 26th March 2025
Location: Bentley Hotel, South Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 9NH
Exhibition Opens: 9am
Exhibition Closes: 1:45pm
Team Lincolnshire & Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce Lunch £15: 2pm-3:15pm
Parking: Free parking available
Chesterfield Canal masterplan launched to boost business and tourism
A masterplan to restore the Chesterfield Canal and develop the surrounding corridor has been launched, aiming to drive economic growth, tourism, and biodiversity.
The plan outlines opportunities for new businesses, water-based training, paddlesports, cycling and walking trails, and habitat restoration. Eighteen hubs have been identified along the corridor, focusing on regeneration between Chesterfield and Kiveton Park.
The initiative, commissioned by the Chesterfield Canal Partnership and developed by Focus Consultants and Sigma Architects, was presented to local government officials, business leaders, and stakeholders in Killamarsh.
The project will be delivered alongside ongoing canal restoration efforts. Since 1989, 12 miles of the canal have been reinstated, with 8.5 miles remaining to achieve full navigation. Local authorities, including Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, have contributed funding.
The partnership aims to secure additional investment to complete the project and unlock a fully restored canal’s economic and environmental benefits.
EGO Technology acquires Ucan Secure IT to expand recycling capabilities
Burton-on-Trent-based IT disposal firm EGO Technology has acquired Bradford-based Ucan Secure IT, expanding its footprint in secure and sustainable IT recycling.
Founded in 2010, Ucan specialises in recycling redundant IT equipment, including laptops, hard drives, mobile phones, and printers. It operates as a zero-landfill organisation serving businesses, schools, and universities across the UK.
EGO Technology says the acquisition strengthens its position in IT asset disposal (ITAD) by integrating Ucan’s recycling capabilities, which focus on recovering valuable materials such as rare earth metals. The move is part of a broader strategy to enhance UK-based IT recycling solutions that ensure compliance and reduce environmental impact.
Birmingham logistics specialist snaps up Nottinghamshire firm
Eric Elliott Transport has been sold in a transaction intended to “set new industry standards,” according to acquirer Onpoint Group.
Having commenced trading in the 1950s, Eric Elliott Transport, based in Gotham, Nottinghamshire, is a provider of haulage and waste removal services in the Midlands.
The company owns its fleet of vehicles and offers services to clients in the agriculture, construction, demolition and recycling sectors.
In a transaction led by Oliver Rigby, KBS Corporate Deal Executive, Eric Elliott Transport was sold to Onpoint Group, a Birmingham-based global logistics specialist.
“We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Eric Elliott Transport, a move that significantly expands our capabilities and regional presence,” read a statement from Onpoint.
“This strategic acquisition strengthens our portfolio by adding specialised expertise and services in key areas, further enabling us to deliver comprehensive solutions to our clients.”
Onpoint said its broader range of services now extends to bulk haulage, walking-floor trailers, muck-away services, grab hire, aggregates supply and recycling following the acquisition, complementing its existing logistics solutions to offer customers “a true one-stop-shop experience for all their transport and waste management needs.”
Alex Bush, Onpoint’s Commercial Director, said: “This acquisition is a milestone in our growth journey, allowing us to better serve our customers in Nottingham and beyond.
“By combining our teams’ experience and capabilities, we are positioned to deliver even greater value, efficiency and sustainability across our operations.
“This move is not just about growth for Onpoint Group, it’s about enhancing the customer experience and setting new standards in our industry.”
In successfully concluding the deal, KBS Corporate’s Oliver Rigby expressed his thanks to Andrew King of Duncan & Toplis, along with the team at Mackrell Solicitors and in particular James McKimm and Guvvy Sandhu.
Pall-Ex Group names new Chief Operating Officer
Leicestershire logistics operator Pall-Ex Group has promoted Barry Byers to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Since joining the business in 2020 as Managing Director of the UK Business Units, Barry has successfully led the group’s two UK pallet networks—Pall-Ex and Fortec—during what has been a challenging time for the industry.
With a wealth of experience gained from a logistics career spanning almost three decades, he will play a pivotal role in driving the business forward and setting its strategic direction for the future.
The appointment complements several promotions at the top level of the business, as Pall-Ex Group prepares for growth across its UK and European business units.
Kevin Buchanan will continue to drive key strategic company projects as Chief Executive Officer, Barry Byers will take the position of Chief Operating Officer, Dave Dunhill will continue in his role as Chief Technology Officer, and Paul Robins will step into the Chief Financial Officer position.
During his five years with the company, Barry has spearheaded several projects that have resulted in exceptional growth for both Pall-Ex and Fortec. He has been the driving force behind the company’s nationwide storage and fulfilment network, opening up a wealth of opportunities for Pall-Ex Group’s members as it evolves to become more than a pallet network.
On his new role, Barry commented: “I would like to express my gratitude to the board of directors and the Pall-Ex and Fortec shareholder members for the support they have demonstrated during the past five years.
“I have enjoyed my role as Managing Director immensely and am delighted to accept this new challenge to lead the business over the years ahead.”
Pall-Ex Group CEO Kevin Buchanan commented: “This is an exciting time for Pall-Ex Group with a lot of major developments coming to fruition over the coming months.
“Part of our five-year strategic ambition outlined in 2020 was to make sure there was a clear succession plan in place for the business, and having Barry as Chief Operating Officer was a key part of this plan.
“He has made a real impact at Pall-Ex Group since joining us five years ago, and I have every faith that he will continue to accelerate the business on this upward trajectory.”
The Business Hub Work Experience returns to Market Harborough
Last July, with the support of Harborough District Council, The Business Hub Work Experience delivered a unique work experience programme to support 12 students from Welland Park Academy in Market Harborough by tapping into the local, micro-business community.
This coming summer, hosted by Market Harborough Building Society, The Business Hub Work Experience will be offering 12 students from Welland Park Academy a chance to develop their communication skills during their work experience week in June/July 2025.
In their community space, those 12 students will learn from local business people including one or two from Market Harborough Building Society’s own team about a variety of career paths and the fundamentals of communication in a modern workplace.
Gone are the days of making coffee and photocopying; students will be set research tasks and be expected to report back their findings in a presentation format.
They will run their own event, from planning through to delegating and delivery and have the opportunity to experience real life networking – a task that can seem daunting to many young people.
“Practice helps us overcome our fears of the unknown, and that’s what we will be offering these students,” said Head of Footprint at Market Harborough Building Society, Tim Neal.
“Helping young people in our local community is a key part of our Thrive! agenda.
“Collaborating with The Business Hub Work Experience™ allows us to focus on this important element and support their future success.
“We’re delighted to host and participate in this event and as a proud local employer, our teams are excited to support sessions during the week and see the innovative ideas from the students.”
Sam Askham, Careers Lead and Assistant Principal, said of the initiative: “Experiences of workplaces are a vital part of preparing young people for their future careers.
“The Business Hub Work Experience™ programme is a fantastic opportunity for Welland Park Academy students to meet a huge range of local employers and develop key skills such as networking, leadership, teamwork and communication.
“Feedback from last year’s programme was outstanding and I’m so pleased that our students will have the chance to work with Nicola, her team and local employers again.”
Nicola Moss, Founder of The Business Hub Work Experience, said: “We’re excited to develop this initiative further, with the intention being to create more solid connections between local businesses and our local schools to support and develop local talent, benefiting the whole community.”
If you’d like to donate time to receive a phone call, volunteer for a day or even sponsor, please complete this short form to offer your support https://bit.ly/CoMHWEX
Construction boss jailed after taking £700,000 from failing companies to fund gambling
A Nottinghamshire construction boss who fraudulently removed more than £700,000 from four failing companies and transferred the money to his casino account has been jailed.
Wesley Grainger-Smith, 66, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday 28 February.
Grainger-Smith had previously pleaded guilty to five counts of fraudulently removing company property at an earlier hearing.
The Insolvency Service also discovered around £570,000 in cash deposits paid back to the companies, which investigators believe may correlate with Grainger-Smith’s claim that he paid most of the money back through his gambling winnings.
Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Wesley Grainger-Smith removed vast sums of money from failing companies to fund his gambling at casinos.
“He cannot have thought he was entitled to recklessly gamble with company money, or that he was acting in the best interests of the four companies where he said he acted as a consultant.
“Directors, or those acting as directors such as Grainger-Smith, will continue to be prosecuted by the Insolvency Service if they deliberately and fraudulently put money out of the reach of creditors.”
Grainger-Smith’s offending took place between 2014 and 2017 when he acted in the role of director for Eagleport Ltd, Smiths Constructions Ltd, Smiths Construction Services Ltd, and Smiths Construction Specialists Ltd. Grainger-Smith said that while he was not the director of any of the companies, he was able to exert influence over the official directors and withdraw the money with their knowledge. Between April 2014 and May 2015, Grainger-Smith removed £230,810 from Eagleport’s account. A winding-up order was made against the company one month later in June 2015. Grainger-Smith then removed £110,250 from Smiths Constructions between April and November 2015, with the company entering liquidation in December of that year. In the five months from February to July 2016, Grainger-Smith fraudulently transferred £84,600 from the bank account of Smiths Construction Services. A liquidator was appointed for Smiths Construction Services in September of that year. Grainger-Smith’s final fraudulent removal of company funds came between August 2016 and February 2017, when he withdrew £276,390 from the account of Smiths Construction Specialists. Smiths Construction Specialists, as with the other three companies, soon stopped trading after the removal of the funds, with winding-up proceedings beginning in June 2017. In total, Grainger-Smith fraudulently removed £702,050 from the four companies, with the funds going into his casino gaming account. Grainger-Smith was declared bankrupt in March 2017 and was banned as a company director for five years in July of that year as a result of his misconduct at Eagleport. He was disqualified for a further 10 years in June 2019 for his misconduct at Smiths Construction Specialists.Green light granted for £45m residential development in Witham St Hughs
Housebuilder Honey will build 170 new homes in Witham St Hughs, Lincolnshire after being granted planning permission for a £45m development.
Called Nova and located off Warren Lane, the development will comprise a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes. Nova will feature 17 of Honey’s different house types.
Of the 170 homes at the development, 28 have been allocated as affordable housing.
Work at the development is anticipated to start in April with the first residents expected to move in by November this year.
Honey chief executive officer, Mark Mitchell, said: “Our range of new homes being delivered at Nova will meet the strong demand there is for high-specification homes amongst buyers in the local area.
“Each home at the development has been thoughtfully designed to combine style, substance and sustainability to offer buyers homes which are unmatched at their price point.
“Having now secured planning permission, we look forward to works starting at the site and launching the first homes for sale at this new community we are delivering.”
UK defence spending boost to prioritise SMEs
The UK government has announced new measures to increase small business participation in defence contracts, including SME spending targets for the Ministry of Defence and the launch of a support hub to help firms access supply chain opportunities.
With defence spending set to rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, the initiative aims to channel more funds to small businesses, particularly outside London and the South East, where nearly 70% of defence expenditure already occurs. In 2023-24, only 4% of defence spending went to SMEs, prompting the government to act.
The support hub will assist SMEs in securing contracts, financing, and workforce training, ensuring that more companies can contribute to national security while benefiting from the investment. The government sees this as a way to strengthen the UK’s defence industry, accelerate technological advancements, and drive economic growth in small towns and regional economies.
In 2023-24, defence spending supported over 430,000 jobs across the UK, with significant increases in government investment in regions such as the East Midlands, Northern Ireland, Yorkshire, and the North West. The government expects these new measures to boost SME participation further and enhance Britain’s defence capabilities.
Maximising Pension Contributions Before the Tax Year Ends
Dry January may be behind us, but as gloomy February rolls in, there’s a glimmer of optimism on the horizon—spring is approaching, and with it comes the end of the tax year for individuals and businesses with a 31st March year-end. This is the perfect time to reassess financial strategies, particularly, pension contributions.
Why Now is the Time to Act
For individuals, making pension contributions before the tax year closes can optimise tax relief. The current annual allowance for contributions eligible for tax relief is up to £60,000 or the value of your earnings—whichever is lower. However, for high earners and those who have already accessed their pension, there are additional rules to consider. Seeking expert financial advice can help navigate these complexities.
If you haven’t accessed your full pension allowance in previous years, you may be able to take advantage of the ‘carry forward’ rule. This allows you to utilise up to three years of unused pension allowance while still benefiting from tax relief. Depending on your circumstances, this could mean up to a further £140,000 in available contributions.
SMEs with 31st March year-end
For SMEs, pension contributions can offer valuable corporation tax relief. Contributions made to controlling directors’ pensions before the year-end should qualify, making this a key area for businesses to explore with their accountants.
Planning Ahead for the Next Tax Year
With just a couple of months until the tax year ends, now is the ideal time to evaluate your pension contributions, but please, do take professional advice.
For further information call 0333 320 9230 or visit wbrgroup.co.uk
For further information call 0333 320 9230 or visit wbrgroup.co.uk 