Engineering workforce projected to surge in East Midlands

April Lara
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Engineering workforce projected to surge in East Midlands

The East Midlands is set to see a significant rise in engineering construction employment, with projections indicating an additional 1,650 workers will be needed over the next five years, according to updated data from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).

The ECITB’s Labour Forecasting Tool, refined with insights from the 2024 Workforce Census, suggests the region will play a critical role in meeting national infrastructure and net-zero goals across sectors, including power generation, renewables, hydrogen, carbon capture, and water treatment.

Across Great Britain, the engineering construction workforce is expected to grow by 19% to over 135,000 by 2030, two years later than previously forecast, due to project delays and an anticipated wave of retirements.

For the East Midlands, Derby remains the region’s hub, with the highest concentration of workers, and additional activity is also present near Long Eaton and Gainsborough. Key roles expected to be in high demand include mechanical fitters, project managers, and design technicians.

Employers in the region anticipate facing recruitment challenges due to wage expectations, competition, and a shortage of qualified candidates. The ECITB emphasises that addressing these issues will require coordinated efforts among industry stakeholders to scale up training and improve workforce readiness.

63,000 sq ft industrial redevelopment to be delivered at Sinfin Commercial Park

Tess Egginton
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63,000 sq ft industrial redevelopment to be delivered at Sinfin Commercial Park
Hortons has secured planning consent for the redevelopment of a 63,000 sq ft industrial/warehouse unit at Sinfin Commercial Park, Derby, marking the latest milestone in the ongoing transformation of the 23-acre East Midlands site. Located off Sinfin Lane and adjacent to the Rolls-Royce Sinfin campus, Unit F is a detached facility that will undergo an extensive refurbishment to bring it up to modern occupier standards. Works will include a full strip and replacement of the roof and vertical cladding, and installation of a new concrete floor. The unit will feature dedicated office space, three roller shutter doors, and a minimum eaves height of 5.5m. It will also benefit from EV charging points, photovoltaic solar panels, and will target an EPC A+ rating. Access is via a secure barrier entry system, with landscaped green amenity space available on-site. The unit is expected to be available for occupation in Q1 2026. This redevelopment forms part of Hortons’ wider vision for Sinfin Commercial Park, which includes plans for the delivery of c.270,000 sq ft of new light industrial and logistics space across 17 units ranging from 5,000 to 70,000 sq ft. James Slater, head of development at Hortons, said: “This project reflects the pace of progress at Sinfin Commercial Park and our long-term ambition for the site. We’re focused on delivering high-quality, energy-efficient space that meets the evolving needs of industrial and logistics occupiers. Unit F will set the tone for what’s to come.”

Manufacturer fined £300k over workplace injury

April Lara
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Manufacturer fined £300k over workplace injury

ADM Milling has been fined £300,000 after a worker suffered a partial finger amputation at its Corby facility. The incident occurred during maintenance on a heavy packing machine that fell and crushed the employee’s hand.

The accident took place in June 2023 at the firm’s site on Earlstrees Industrial Estate. The machine, weighing around 800 kilograms, was being worked on when it tipped backwards. The resulting injury led to the amputation of the worker’s little finger.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation found that ADM Milling had not adequately assessed the risks of the maintenance task. A support brace was installed after the incident to prevent future tipping.

The company pleaded guilty at Northampton Magistrates’ Court in June 2025 to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. In addition to the fine, it was ordered to pay £7,517 in costs.

This case underscores the ongoing importance of thorough risk assessments and robust safety controls in manufacturing environments, particularly where heavy machinery and manual interventions intersect.

Private equity investor backs Leicester financial advisory group

Tess Egginton
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Private equity investor backs Leicester financial advisory group
August Equity has invested in Superbia, a financial advisory group headquartered in Leicester. The investment, made alongside the existing management team, marks the first institutional equity capital into the business since its formation. Founded in 2019 and led by CEO Stefan Fura, Superbia provides independent financial advice to over 2,500 clients across the UK. The business brings together financial advice, discretionary fund management (DFM), and in-house investment solutions under one group. The investment will support Superbia’s growth strategy, accelerating both organic expansion and targeted acquisitions to broaden its national footprint and enhance its client proposition. Stefan Fura, CEO of Superbia Group, said: “We’ve built Superbia with a clear mission: to provide expert financial advice that empowers clients to live the lives they want – while also doing the right thing by our people and communities. “Partnering with August Equity marks a pivotal step in our journey. Their experience, network and cultural alignment make them the ideal partner to help us accelerate our growth, expand our national presence, and continue delivering first-class outcomes for our clients. We are excited about what the future holds.” Kishan Chotai, partner at August Equity, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Superbia. We have been searching for the right platform in the IFA space for the last two years and were incredibly impressed from our first meeting with Stefan with the vertically integrated business that he and the team have created – providing high quality financial advice to clients through alongside their own investment proposition and platform. “At August, we have a long-standing history of investing in businesses that provide regulated services to clients and our investment will allow Superbia to expand its impressive financial advisory model into new geographies throughout the UK.” FRP Corporate Finance was appointed by August Equity to support its investment. Ed Shurville-Darlington, director at FRP Corporate Finance, said: “Financial services and wealth management firms like The Superbia Group are continuing to attract a high level of interest from private equity investors. Their recurring revenues, favourable market growth dynamics and strong buy-and-build potential make them an exciting prospect for firms looking to deploy their capital. “This investment is the beginning of an exciting new period for The Superbia Group. We believe that the company will be able to accelerate what is already an impressive growth trajectory with the support and expertise of August Equity.” August Equity was also advised by DLA Piper (legal), 8Advisory (financial and tax diligence), TCC (compliance diligence), Strategy& (commercial diligence), Crosslake (tech diligence), Lockton (insurance diligence), and Ares (3rd party debt provider). The Superbia Group was advised by Hill Dickinson (legal).

Derby healthcare services provider enters administration

Tess Egginton
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Derby healthcare services provider enters administration

Totally, the Derby-based provider of healthcare and wellbeing services, has entered administration after a strategic review failed to produce any solvent offers for the business.

Tim Vance and Sam Woodward of EY have been appointed as joint administrators of the company, following which each of the company’s directors have resigned.

Following the appointment, the company has completed the disposal of its Elective Care and Corporate Wellbeing subsidiaries, and the business and assets of the Urgent Care division to PHL Group. This transaction will see the continued and uninterrupted provision of all services previously delivered by Totally.

PHL Group operates a wide range of services across the UK and internationally, including Integrated Urgent Care, Urgent Treatment Centres, Surgical Insourcing, Custody Healthcare, ADHD services and General Practice.

Derby Market Hall opens doors to short-term and permanent trading opportunities

April Lara
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Derby Market Hall opens doors to short-term and permanent trading opportunities

Derby Market Hall, recently reopened following a £35.1 million refurbishment, is now accepting applications from short-term pop-up and permanent traders looking to establish a presence in the city centre. The Grade II-listed venue, which attracted over 34,500 visitors during its first three days, has positioned itself as a high-footfall retail and cultural destination.

A new booking platform has been launched for pop-up stallholders. These short-term pitches, centrally located and targeted at local creatives and independents, are designed to offer flexible access to a growing customer base.

Alongside the pop-up initiative, Derby Market Hall is actively recruiting permanent traders to build a diverse and dynamic marketplace. Since reopening, the venue has received 46 expressions of interest for long-term occupancy, underlining renewed commercial interest in the site.

The relaunch of the Market Hall forms part of Derby’s broader strategy to revitalise the city centre economy through heritage-led regeneration and support for local enterprise. Interested businesses can apply via the Market Hall’s dedicated platforms for either pop-up or permanent spaces.

Business decision-makers ‘paralysed’ by volatile risk landscape warns report

Tess Egginton
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Business decision-makers ‘paralysed’ by volatile risk landscape warns report
Business decision-makers are becoming ‘paralysed’ by constant crisis and their excessive caution is limiting growth opportunities, a new report from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has warned. In total, 84% of international business leaders surveyed as part of BDO’s annual Global Risk Landscape Report 2025 said the global risk landscape is now, more than ever, defined by crisis. In response, executives are taking a much more defensive approach, with more than two thirds (69%) saying their companies are either ‘risk averse’ or ‘risk minimising’, a rise from 61% last year. Only 7% of executives said their risk management was ‘very proactive’, down from 19% in 2024 and 29% 2023. The report found that top six risks keeping business leaders up at night were regulatory risk, concerns over supply chains, recruiting and retaining talent, geopolitical tensions, environmental issues and cybercrime. While regulators are demanding ever-more information about risks, some executives (39%) agreed that this had a positive impact in helping to make companies safer, but a larger proportion (57%) said regulatory demands were only ‘somewhat’ helpful in reducing company risk profiles. However, CEOs surveyed were critical of compliance overspend, suggesting that current risk management strategies are failing to deliver value. Alisa Voznaya, partner and head of risk consulting at BDO, said: “The risk landscape for businesses has been in flux for more than a decade and shows no sign of stabilising. “Faced with this relentless volatility, some business leaders are being too hesitant to take decisions and paralysed by the fear of what could go wrong. But this safety-first approach means businesses are missing out on opportunities and limiting their growth prospects. “Part of the problem is that businesses are increasingly taking a compliance-led approach to risk, with a box-ticking mentality distracting from the management of actual risks. “Many would do well to adopt a more proactive approach, engaging in regular scenario planning and anticipating the things that could go wrong so they can start to identify opportunities. Businesses shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that there can be competitive gains to be made from responding positively to challenging circumstances.”

Trainline joins government-backed rail tech trials

April Lara
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Trainline joins government-backed rail tech trials

Trainline has been named as a technology provider for upcoming UK trials of digital pay-as-you-go (PAYG) rail systems, overseen by the Rail Delivery Group. The nine-month pilot projects will roll out between September and November across the Northern Rail and East Midlands Railway networks.

As part of the trials, Trainline will implement a geolocation-based, real-time fare system through its mobile app, showcasing its capability to support seamless PAYG travel. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader rail reform agenda and is viewed as a testbed for scalable national deployment.

For stakeholders in transport and mobility, the trials represent a notable shift towards digital ticketing infrastructure with potential procurement and integration opportunities for private-sector tech partners. This pilot also reinforces Trainline’s low-capex model in a live operational setting.

Following the announcement, Trainline shares rose nearly 1%, reflecting positive investor sentiment on its strategic positioning in the evolving UK rail ecosystem.

Wavensmere sells £11.6m of off-plan houses in Derby – over two years before completion

Tess Egginton
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Wavensmere sells £11.6m of off-plan houses in Derby – over two years before completion
Wavensmere Homes has sold 40 off-plan houses to a club of existing customers who have already purchased two or more of its homes. With a total value of £11.6m, the two- and three-bedroom homes located in Derby will be build complete from Q3 2027. James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “Our inaugural Clique event has exceeded all our expectations. “We invited our loyal customers to socialise with the team and each other at an information evening, where they had preferential access to a limited release of 40 plots. Before the event ended, these two- and three-bedroom houses were assigned to purchasers – over two years before they will be build complete. “While the buy to let market is not without its challenges, investing in quality homes off-plan in well-located developments that offer a range of amenities can reap significant dividends. “Clique members have already been through the investment journey on other Wavensmere developments. They are benefitting from attractive yields and the pick of a pool of aspirational tenants. “These people keep in touch with us, follow planning updates, share our excitement for upcoming development launches, and enthusiastically ask for first dibs. The Clique concept was inspired by them as a way of formalising the gratitude we have for our repeat customers.” Wavensmere provides Clique members with a dedicated sales relationship manager, access to exclusive mortgage products, and tenant benefits from the point of completion. Wavensmere Homes is highly active across Derby, with its £175m Nightingale Quarter development in the final phase of being transformed into a new community, including over 900 houses and apartments. In autumn 2024, Wavensmere commenced work on site to regenerate and redevelop Friar Gate Goods Yard in Derby city centre, with 276 houses and apartments to be available for occupation from 2026, together with commercial opportunities. At the start of this year, the housebuilder also commenced construction work at the £22m redevelopment of Milford Mills, which overlooks the River Derwent, located between Belper and Duffield in north Derbyshire. 69 new homes are being delivered on the historic site, which is within the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, pre-construction work is well underway at Cathedral One, within Derby’s newly revitalised Cathedral Quarter, where 195 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments will be delivered.

East Midlands business confidence hits 2025 high

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands business confidence hits 2025 high
Steadying economic conditions and softening inflationary pressures are giving East Midlands firms reasons for confidence, according to the latest NatWest Regional Growth Tracker. The headline NatWest East Midlands Business Activity Index rose to 49.3 in May from 47.5 in April. Although the reading represented a fifth successive monthly fall in output, the latest reduction was only slight and the weakest since January. Where output decreased, panellists generally linked this to subdued demand conditions and falling new orders. Although companies in the East Midlands continued to scale back their workforce numbers solidly during May, the latest reduction was the least pronounced since last November. A number of respondents indicated that they had been reluctant to replace departing staff, in some cases due to cost considerations. That said, other firms had opted to hire additional workers during the month, limiting the overall pace of job cuts. After dropping to a 28-month low in April, business confidence rebounded in May and was the strongest in the year-to-date. In fact, sentiment in the East Midlands was the third-highest of the 12 monitored regions and nations, behind only the West Midlands and North West. The pace of input cost inflation eased in May, but remained sharp and was above the series average. Respondents again mainly linked higher input prices to rises in the National Minimum Wage and employer National Insurance contributions. Sebastian Burnside, NatWest chief economist, said: “While companies in the East Midlands continued to face a challenging demand environment in May, there were some signs in the latest Growth Tracker of light at the end of the tunnel. “Business activity moved closer to stabilisation and confidence in the future rebounded. Companies subsequently moderated the pace at which they scaled back their workforce numbers. “While firms again reported the inflationary impact of recent labour market policy changes, rates of inflation of both input costs and output prices both softened in May, providing some respite for companies and customers alike and adding to signs that the worst of the recent soft-patch may have passed.”
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