The development includes fully-fitted offices with comfort cooling, raised access floors, LED lighting, and high-speed broadband for a premium workspace environment, while clear breakout zones, natural light, and flexible layouts make the development operationally efficient and human-centred.
Both units boast E(g), B2, B8 use classes which caters for various occupier needs, from logistics to light industrial and trade. Evo Corby is not merely a commercial warehouse; it’s a transformative landmark and it blends logistics excellence, sustainability leadership, tenant-centric design, and strategic economic integration.
Both buildings are available either on a new lease or freehold purchase. To find out more, please visit https://evocorby169.co.uk/ and https://evocorby60.co.uk/ or contact Evo Corby’s agents, Tydus, M1 or CBRE.
Evo Corby
Evo Corby is a best‑in‑class logistics facility combining exceptional design, cutting-edge sustainability, and strategic logistics positioning. Located at Corby’s Sallow/Hunters Road intersection, it is positioned within easy reach of the A43, A14, M1, within 2 hours’ drive of Felixstowe and Heathrow, and provides access to 87% of the UK population within 4.5 hours HGV drive.
Developed by PBBE Corby BV, and with PineBridge as asset managers, the scheme includes Evo Corby 169, a distribution warehouse with 169,127 sq ft of high-quality space, and Evo Corby 60, offering 61,060 sq ft. Both boast generous eaves (15 m and 12.5 m respectively), ample dock‑level doors, and deep yards ideal for modern logistics operations, as well as excellent power provision, robust flooring (50 kN/m²), and high-speed fibre.
Both units have achieved BREEAM Excellent, are Net Zero Carbon (in operation) and have been rated EPC A+. Achieving the highest building standards, reducing environmental impact and raising corporate ESG profiles, the units reflect ultra‑efficient design and operations and feature solar PV arrays, LED lighting with sensors, extensive rooflights, recycled materials, EV chargers, and large cycle storage areas.
The development includes fully-fitted offices with comfort cooling, raised access floors, LED lighting, and high-speed broadband for a premium workspace environment, while clear breakout zones, natural light, and flexible layouts make the development operationally efficient and human-centred.
Both units boast E(g), B2, B8 use classes which caters for various occupier needs, from logistics to light industrial and trade. Evo Corby is not merely a commercial warehouse; it’s a transformative landmark and it blends logistics excellence, sustainability leadership, tenant-centric design, and strategic economic integration.
Both buildings are available either on a new lease or freehold purchase. To find out more, please visit https://evocorby169.co.uk/ and https://evocorby60.co.uk/ or contact Evo Corby’s agents, Tydus, M1 or CBRE.
The development includes fully-fitted offices with comfort cooling, raised access floors, LED lighting, and high-speed broadband for a premium workspace environment, while clear breakout zones, natural light, and flexible layouts make the development operationally efficient and human-centred.
Both units boast E(g), B2, B8 use classes which caters for various occupier needs, from logistics to light industrial and trade. Evo Corby is not merely a commercial warehouse; it’s a transformative landmark and it blends logistics excellence, sustainability leadership, tenant-centric design, and strategic economic integration.
Both buildings are available either on a new lease or freehold purchase. To find out more, please visit https://evocorby169.co.uk/ and https://evocorby60.co.uk/ or contact Evo Corby’s agents, Tydus, M1 or CBRE.
Start-ups driving women’s health and disability inclusion secure funding
The Ingenuity Impact Showcase 2025 has recognised impactful start-ups in women’s health and disability inclusion, offering early-stage businesses vital support to drive social change. The showcase, powered by the University of Nottingham, awarded £50,000 in funding across multiple categories to businesses addressing health, social, and environmental challenges.
FUSE, a business focused on reducing ACL injuries in women’s football, won the prestigious Ingenuity Impact Entrepreneur of the Year award. Their device, designed to analyse hormone levels, helps female athletes monitor hormonal fluctuations that increase ACL injury risks, aiming to improve injury prevention protocols for women in sport.
Ben Jones and Ed Donell’s business, Lowland Meadows, took home the Climate Champion award for helping farmers enhance sustainability while supporting developers in securing planning permissions through Biodiversity Units. The duo praised the programme for its networking opportunities and access to valuable insights from more established businesses.
The Communities Champion title was awarded to Lita-Louise Gardner and Stephen Covell for Project EDI, which seeks to improve accessibility and ethics in AI tools for sign language. Their open-source initiative supports the Deaf community by developing inclusive technology for both signers and learners.
Monet Davis received the University of Nottingham Champion award for FaceFlavour, her catering business that champions cultural representation and inclusivity at corporate events and private dining experiences.
Ingenuity Impact continues to foster innovation, supporting entrepreneurs dedicated to creating a positive societal impact.
Managing director promotion for East Midlands housebuilder
Allison Homes has promoted Karl Edwards from operations director to managing director for its East Midlands region, as the business sets its sights on growth across Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Growing up in Nottingham, Karl combines extensive experience with deep local knowledge, which has been central to establishing the East Midlands region and building a robust land bank with a strong development pipeline.
Since joining Allison Homes nearly three years ago, Karl has leveraged over 25 years of land and development expertise gained from senior roles at Gladman, Chase Homes, Rippon Homes and Bryant/Taylor Wimpey. Having started his career as a joiner and progressing to site manager at Barratt Homes East Midlands, Karl brings a deep-rooted knowledge of housebuilding.
Karl has led the launch of the regional headquarters at Castle Donington and scaled the team from a single individual to 19 employees, with further recruitment in progress across planning, commercial, technical and sales functions.
Karl Edwards said: “I’m really excited to be stepping into this new role leading Allison Homes in the East Midlands. We’ve built a great team and having our new office in Castle Donington puts us exactly where we need to be.
“We’re committed to delivering high-quality homes, building trust in the region, and growing in the right way. With strong land acquisitions already in place and several sites moving forward, we’ve got a solid foundation to scale up and make a real difference in this high-demand market.”
John Anderson, chief executive of Allison Homes, added: “Karl’s deep operational experience and leadership have played a huge part in building our presence in the East Midlands so quickly.
“I have every confidence in his ability to take the business forward and continue making a real impact in the region. Seeing what Karl and his team have achieved so far makes me genuinely excited for the next chapter for Allison Homes in the East Midlands.”
Nottingham aviation data platform secures investment
Northcote Equity has backed aviation data and intelligence platform RDC Aviation, headquartered in Nottingham.
Leveraging more than two decades of aviation expertise, RDC provides mission-critical insight into airline performance, route profitability, emissions, and airport charges — powering decision-making for airlines, airports, and aviation stakeholders.
RDC’s client base spans hundreds of global airlines and airports, including British Airways, Lufthansa, and easyJet.
Northcote is investing alongside RDC’s existing management team led by CEO, Peter Hind. This partnership will accelerate RDC’s analytics and insights capabilities, expand its go-to-market strategy and international growth, and deepen the integration of its platform into the aviation sector’s decision-making processes.
Scott Fairlie, Northcote Equity co-founder, said: “Supporting exceptional founder-led businesses like RDC is exactly why we started Northcote. We’re thrilled to partner with Peter, Iain and the team to help RDC scale its impact across the global aviation industry.”
Peter Hind, CEO of RDC, said: “Finding the right partner for the next stage in our journey was essential. Building strong relationships has always been vital to our success. With Scott and the Northcote team, we’ve found not just deep experience in aviation and scaling data businesses, but a genuine rapport that makes the journey enjoyable. We’re excited about what we’ll achieve together in the years ahead.”
The transaction was led by Scott Fairlie (co-founder) and Tom Gilbride (investment manager). Scott Fairlie and Charles Dale (co-founders) will join the board.
Derby retail software provider snapped up
ClearCourse, the software and payments specialist, has acquired Davidson Richards, a retail management and EPOS (electronic point of sale) systems provider.
Davidson Richards provides cloud-based management and EPOS systems tailored to the retail industry. Founded in 1977 and based in Derby, Davidson Richards launched its flagship product, OpSuite, in 2012.
Joining the ClearCourse group will enable Davidson Richards to expand their offerings, providing customers with in-house payment and eCommerce solutions.
Christina Hamilton, CEO of ClearCourse, said: “We are delighted to welcome Davidson Richards into the ClearCourse group as part of our Retail & Hospitality Software vertical. OpSuite is a market leading product that is well positioned to expand its innovative offering into new sectors.
“We are excited about the natural integration this partnership enables, as OpSuite will be able to offer in-house payment and other commerce enabling solutions through the wider ClearCourse group products.”
Keith Bateman, sales director at Davidson Richards, said: “This acquisition marks an exciting new chapter for our business and customers. Joining the ClearCourse group will enable us to enhance the service we offer our customers, particularly through the introduction of an in-house Electronic Funds Transfer solution.
“ClearCourse is the ideal partner to help us to grow the business through an increased investment into marketing and to reach more customers.”
£10.8bn funding deficit uncovered in East Midlands
The East Midlands continues to receive the lowest levels of public investment in the UK, according to a new analysis of government data released by East Midlands Councils.
Despite a growing population and a strong track record on economic growth, the region lags significantly behind on spending in key areas such as transport, infrastructure, and economic development.
Figures drawn from the Treasury’s Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) show that, between 2019 and 2024, the East Midlands received £10.8bn less than it would have if funded at the UK average.
Transport funding in the region is particularly low. In 2023–24, transport spending in the East Midlands was just 54% of the UK average, the lowest level of any UK region or nation.
On rail investment, the disparity is starker still: the East Midlands received just £175 per head, compared to £477 in the West Midlands and £1,047 in London.
Cllr Sean Matthews, chair of East Midlands Councils, said: “These figures lay bare the extent to which the East Midlands has been taken for granted by Governments of all colours over the last 20 years.
“The disparities in transport and rail spending are truly shocking. Ministers and Government funded transport bodies must do much more to close the investment gap in the East Midlands if we are going to generate the economic growth the country needs.”
While the region has kept pace with national growth rates in terms of GDP, the analysis highlights that this has largely been driven by population growth rather than productivity gains. Labour productivity in the East Midlands remains at just 84.8% of the UK average, with the gap widening over the last 20 years.
The report also compares the East Midlands to neighbouring regions. The West Midlands received £6.7bn more in total public investment over the same five-year period. On economic development alone, the East Midlands received 30% less per head than the West Midlands in 2023–24.
Nottingham set for 200 new homes through Platform4 redevelopment
Nottingham is set to see a significant boost in housing with the development of 200 new homes on surplus railway land. As part of the government’s Platform4 initiative, this project will transform a brownfield site into a thriving residential area.
Platform4, a newly established property development company, is tasked with unlocking railway land across England and Wales for housing projects. In Nottingham, the development is expected to contribute to the creation of sustainable communities while addressing the region’s housing needs.
The redevelopment of this site is part of the government’s broader plan to build 40,000 homes across surplus railway land over the next decade. This project aligns with the government’s brownfield-first approach, ensuring that underused land is repurposed for much-needed housing.
By consolidating property development efforts under one entity, Platform4 aims to streamline processes and deliver developments more efficiently. The profits generated will be reinvested into the UK’s rail infrastructure, supporting long-term growth for both the housing and transport sectors.
Derby City Council reports underspend as it moves towards financial stability
Derby City Council has reported a forecast underspend of £1.318 million for the first quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year. This marks significant progress in the Council’s ongoing efforts to achieve long-term financial stability.
The underspend comes after the implementation of effective financial management and careful budget setting, despite the challenges facing local governments nationwide. The Council has also made notable investments in essential services, with approximately £40 million allocated for this financial year, while working to restore general reserves to £15.8 million. This will bring reserves to the highest level in several years, representing 4.54% of the revenue budget.
In addition, the Council is on track to meet its £9.861 million savings target for the 2025/26 year. The commitment to rebuilding reserves forms part of Derby’s broader strategy to create a more resilient financial position, ensuring the city is well-prepared for any future economic shocks.
Although positive, the report acknowledges ongoing pressures, particularly in adult social care and services for children with special educational needs. However, these costs are being offset by savings in other areas. The Council remains focused on maintaining responsible financial leadership to ensure continued service delivery and stability.
Looking ahead, Derby City Council is preparing for potential changes linked to Local Government Reorganisation across Derbyshire. The financial position will be further reviewed at the Cabinet meeting on 6 August.
Charnwood Forest to bid for prestigious international designation
Leicestershire’s Charnwood Forest is taking to the world stage with an application for a prestigious international designation supporting education work and growing the local economy.
The area, home to some of the oldest animal fossils in the world, will be applying for UNESCO Global Geopark status later this year. If successful, it would become the county’s first site with a UNESCO status.
Charnwood Forest Geopark has been developed over the past four years as part of a National Lottery Heritage Fund supported scheme, hosted by the National Forest.
Working with 17 partner organisations, the Geopark team has delivered projects including conservation work, schools outreach, arts programmes, volunteering, and interpretation infrastructure. The Geopark includes sites such as Bradgate Park and Beacon Hill, but also the lesser-known Morley Quarry and Markfield’s Hill Hole.
There are currently 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 50 countries, each hosting internationally significant geological features that communities use to support education work and growing the local economy in a sustainable way.
Charnwood Forest’s bid focuses on the 560 million year old fossils found in the Geopark, which tell the story of the rise of the first animals on the planet.
Cllr Cartwright, chair of the Geopark’s board said: “This is an exciting time for Charnwood Forest and all of Leicestershire. The partner organisations behind Charnwood Forest Geopark have long been working hard to conserve our heritage, share our unique story, and grow the local economy.
“UNESCO Global Geopark status will give Charnwood Forest the international recognition it deserves, helping us to further protect and celebrate our unique geological story. Such enormous effort has gone into this by so many people and I would like to thank you all, including the committee, volunteers, and delivery team. Together we are stronger, keep up the great work.”
The Geopark team will be submitting the application to UNESCO later this year, and in 2026 two international evaluators will visit to judge if the region meets the standards of a Global Geopark. This could see Charnwood Forest awarded the status when the UNESCO Executive Board meets in the spring of 2027.
“The Bricks Awards showcase the people and firms that are to thank for shaping how our urban spaces and architecture will be seen for future generations”
As Business Link’s East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 draws ever-nearer, East Midlands Chamber has highlighted the opportunity it provides to “showcase the people and firms that are to thank for shaping how our urban spaces and architecture will be seen for future generations.”
With nominations closing on Friday 15th August, it’s time to make your free entries for the 10th annual celebration of the property and construction industry.
Take this chance to spotlight exceptional new commercial and residential developments, those demonstrating a leading position in sustainability and design excellence; gain recognition as outstanding developers, architects, contractors, and agents, as well as for significant deals; and ensure efforts in corporate social responsibility are rewarded, from eco initiatives to charity work, to social value schemes.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “Property and construction are significant drivers of growth and despite having had to overcome tough challenges like higher National Insurance contributions or the skills shortage making recruitment hard, the East Midlands can be proud of the impressive scale of modernisation to our towns and cities.
“Whether Nottingham’s Island Quarter, Derby’s Castleward Urban Village, Leicester’s Waterside or Ashton Green projects, you don’t have to look far to see progress. The Bricks Awards showcase the people and firms that are to thank for shaping how our urban spaces and architecture will be seen for future generations and it’s right we recognise that work.”
A key event in the business calendar, the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 will take place on Thursday 2nd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.
Revealing the winners in a glittering awards ceremony, the evening also offers time to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region and hear from keynote speaker Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands.
To nominate your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page. Entry is free – with finalists also winning free tickets to the awards ceremony.
Categories include:
- Contractor of the Year
- Developer of the Year
- Architects of the Year
- Most Active Agent
- Deal of the Year
- Residential Development of the Year
- Sustainable Development of the Year
- Commercial Development of the Year
- Excellence in Design
- Responsible Business of the Year
- Overall Winner (this award cannot be entered, with the Overall Winner selected from those nominated for the occasion’s 10 other categories and receiving a grand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice).
Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.
Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, click here to secure yours.
Connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the exceptional companies and projects in our region.
New for this year, all entrants will also have the opportunity to be featured on our dedicated nominee showcase on the East Midlands Business Link website, providing space for marketing your achievements.The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:
To be held at:
