Cooper Parry expands Scottish operations with Hutcheon Mearns acquisition

April Lara
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Cooper Parry expands Scottish operations with Hutcheon Mearns acquisition

Cooper Parry has strengthened its Scottish presence through the acquisition of Aberdeen-based financial consultancy Hutcheon Mearns. The move follows the firm’s rapid growth in Edinburgh and forms part of a broader national expansion strategy.

Hutcheon Mearns, founded in 2015, employs more than 70 staff across Scotland and London. The firm specialises in finance team development, corporate finance, M&A advisory, and process optimisation through business and artificial intelligence tools. Its client base spans energy, manufacturing, food and drink, technology, professional services, and real estate sectors.

This is Cooper Parry’s sixth acquisition since partnering with New York private equity firm Lee Equity Partners earlier this year. The deal pushes its pro forma turnover past £250 million, supporting its long-term goals of reaching £600 million by 2028 and £1 billion by 2030.

The integration brings Cooper Parry’s Scottish workforce to around 100 employees and broadens its service offering across the UK and Ireland. The firm aims to leverage Hutcheon Mearns’ expertise and regional reputation to accelerate growth in advisory and finance transformation services nationwide.

Ade Cheatham, CEO, Cooper Parry, said, “There’s such pace and energy for us in Scotland right now. Our vision is all about new capabilities, new tech and new markets. What Craig and Adam have built creates an awesome people-first footprint for us to roll out UK-wide. Together, we’re not just building a firm, we’re building a movement.”

Doorset Solutions expands with new Mansfield facility

April Lara
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Doorset Solutions expands with new Mansfield facility

Doorset Solutions has purchased a 20,000 sq ft industrial unit in Mansfield as part of its ongoing expansion. The property, situated on Long Stoop Way at the Crown Farm Industrial Estate, was previously occupied by Jeremias UK and forms part of a 1.3-acre site.

The building comprises warehouse and office accommodation, offering clear-span space with six-metre eaves rising to 8.2 metres, alongside a secure yard and 79 parking spaces. Constructed in 2003, it features a steel portal frame with brick and blockwork walls and profile cladding.

The site also provides a 270 kVA power supply and fully enclosed, gated access suitable for large-scale manufacturing operations.

Anthony Barrowcliffe of FHP said, “This was a particularly tricky deal however I am delighted with the outcome selling the building to Integrated Doorset Solutions Limited aiding their expansion and growth and to fulfil their ever growing customer base. There were lots of elements to this deal to include having to deal with the long leasehold with The Welbeck Estate, alongside ground rents and unclaimed rent reviews but thankfully we got this over the line with everyone’s combined effort. I wish the tenant success going forwards.”

New logistics hub planned near M1 could deliver 1,000 jobs

April Lara
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New logistics hub planned near M1 could deliver 1,000 jobs

Caddick has lodged a planning application with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for a major employment development close to Junction 22 of the M1.

The proposal outlines an industrial and logistics park covering around 700,000 square feet across six units. The site has been identified as a strategic employment area within the council’s emerging local plan.

If approved, the scheme is projected to create over 1,000 jobs, spanning construction, operations, and long-term, skilled positions. It is also expected to contribute approximately £2.5 million in annual business rates, supporting local services and the regional economy.

East Midlands Mayor unveils 10-year plan to drive inclusive growth and create thousands of jobs

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands Mayor unveils 10-year plan to drive inclusive growth and create thousands of jobs
Residents across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire could see better jobs, more affordable homes, and stronger, fairer communities through a new, 10-year growth plan launched today. The East Midlands Growth Plan 2025-2035 sets out a long-term vision to deliver “fast, fair growth for all,” ensuring every community and resident across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire benefits from economic progress. The plan will add £13 billion to the regional economy and support 60,000 more people into work over the next decade. It also sets goals to deliver more than 100,000 homes, 210,000 new qualifications, and invest more than £2bn in new transport infrastructure to better connect people to jobs and opportunity. At its heart is a commitment to inclusive growth, ensuring the proceeds of economic success are shared fairly, with investment directed where it will have the greatest impact on people’s lives. Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “For the first time, we have a growth plan that is backed by the region and puts us in pole position to succeed. “This plan is about unlocking growth while tackling inequality, creating better jobs, fairer pay, and new opportunities in every community. By working with business, government, and local partners, we can build a stronger, more inclusive economy that delivers for everyone. “The East Midlands has the people, the ideas and the determination to drive Britain’s growth. We must now turn our potential into prosperity, creating the right conditions for business to thrive and local people to succeed.” The plan identifies key sectors which will power future growth, including clean energy, MedTech and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, digital industries, and the visitor economy. It also outlines major place-based projects such as the Trent Arc and Supercluster, which together could deliver £3.3bn in economic value and create more than 55,000 high-quality jobs. EMCCA’s Inclusive Growth Framework, developed from the East Midlands Inclusive Growth Commission’s findings, is a key step in ensuring everyone in the region benefits from growth. It sets out a vision for 2040 in which every young person has a fair start, every resident has a route to good work, and every community shares in the region’s success. Using practical ideas like better skills, housing, transport, and the Opportunity Escalator pathway to better jobs, the Framework aims to turn this vision into action. The East Midlands Growth Plan puts the Framework into practice by guiding investment, supporting local industries, and creating thriving communities with fair opportunities for all. Mayor Claire said: “I want the East Midlands to be one of the UK’s fastest growing and most inclusive regional economies – a place where people are proud to live, work, and build their futures. This plan is the roadmap to get us there.” The Growth Plan was formally approved by the EMCCA Board today (Monday 13 October 2025) before being launched at Derby’s Museum of Making. David Williams, chair of EMCCA’s business advisory board, said: “This is an exciting plan with a bold ambition to place the East Midlands at the very forefront of the UK economy, especially in key, growing sectors such as clean energy, medical technology and advanced manufacturing. “Backed by a stronger local skills base, with more apprenticeships and graduate retention, businesses will be supported to grow, scale and innovate, with upgraded infrastructure to cut costs and boost competitiveness, alongside improved access to finance, investment, and export markets.”

Monarch Security launches Highfield-approved training centre in Derby

Tess Egginton
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Monarch Security launches Highfield-approved training centre in Derby
A Derby-based security company, Monarch Security, is now delivering nationally recognised, industry-standard SIA training to new and existing security professionals. Founded in 2020 by Farhaan Bhatti and Phil Wright, Monarch Security has grown rapidly, providing a wide range of services including static guarding, mobile patrols, door supervision, K9 units, close/VIP protection, event stewarding, alarm response, and keyholding. The company serves clients across the East Midlands, the UK, and internationally – with contracts ranging from major hotel chains to football stadiums. Monarch has now become a Highfield-approved training centre, one of the UK’s leading awarding bodies for security qualifications. Training will be delivered from Monarch’s Derby training facility, combining Highfield’s nationally recognised courses with Monarch’s real-world, operational expertise to raise standards within the industry. In addition to enhancing industry skills, the new training centre will also create valuable job opportunities across the East Midlands. By helping individuals gain the qualifications and confidence needed to enter or advance in the security sector, Monarch aims to open clear career pathways for those seeking long-term, professional development within the industry. Courses will cover areas such as door supervision, security guarding, close protection, CCTV, spectator safety, and first aid, delivered through a blend of classroom and e-learning sessions. A range of security-related courses will be available. Phil Wright, co-owner and director at Monarch Security, said: “We’re proud to be delivering Highfield-approved qualifications here in Derby. Having operated a successful security company, we know exactly what clients expect from staff – professionalism, reliability, and high standards. Our extensive frontline experience ensures that every learner receives practical, work-based training that prepares them for real-world situations.” Farhaan Bhatti, managing director of Monarch Security, added: “Our goal is to raise the quality of security training across the industry. By combining our hands-on operational experience with Highfield’s nationally recognised qualifications, we ensure every learner achieves the highest professional standard.”

Skills shortage remains top barrier to hiring for UK family firms

April Lara
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Skills shortage remains top barrier to hiring for UK family firms

Family-owned and owner-managed businesses across the UK continue to struggle with recruitment due to a shortage of skilled candidates, according to Armstrong Watson’s latest annual survey. The report, based on 858 responses from companies across multiple sectors, highlights persistent challenges in finding suitable staff, particularly in rural areas.

Around a third of firms described recruitment as “very difficult”, with many pointing to a lack of qualified applicants. While Yorkshire performed better than most regions, with 26% reporting severe hiring issues, businesses there have focused on referral incentives, flexible working, and improved recruitment processes to strengthen retention.

Across the UK, only half of employers offer salary sacrifice schemes, despite their benefits for structuring pay and reducing tax costs. Many appear to be delaying changes until after the Autumn Budget.

Nearly half of Yorkshire businesses are already engaging with artificial intelligence, either using or exploring AI to streamline operations, figures that exceed national averages. Nationally, companies are also addressing labour shortages by raising wages and expanding apprenticeship programmes.

Rising costs remain the top concern for the next three years, followed by regulatory uncertainty and workforce gaps. Many firms are tightening investment plans, with 22% not seeking new finance and almost half relying on personal or retained capital to fund operations.

Succession planning is emerging as a key issue. Eighteen per cent of owners plan to exit their business within two years, and although over 40% see family or senior management as their successors, most have not yet formalised these discussions. Only a third intend to pass their business to family members, suggesting a gradual shift in succession models.

Platform Housing joins wildlife-friendly homes initiative

April Lara
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Platform Housing joins wildlife-friendly homes initiative

Platform Housing Group has joined the Homes for Nature campaign, an industry initiative developed by the Future Homes Hub to promote biodiversity in new housing developments.

The campaign encourages homebuilders to include wildlife-supportive features such as bird nesting bricks and hedgehog highways as standard in all new planning applications from September 2024 to 2030. Platform Housing will integrate at least one nesting brick or box per property and hedgehog highways linking gardens and green areas across its new sites.

The group also plans to exceed the initiative’s core requirements through biodiversity training for staff and by adding bat roosts, insect bricks, sustainable drainage systems and pollinator-friendly landscaping where possible. These measures form part of a wider sustainability strategy designed to embed ecological design into construction and planning.

Lianne Taylor, Director of Sustainability, said: “At Platform, we’re committed to shaping communities where both people and nature can flourish. By joining the Homes for Nature initiative, our development teams are embedding wildlife friendly elements from the very earliest stages, from integrating bird nesting bricks and hedgehog highways into site design, planting one new tree for every new home we build and incorporating pollinator friendly landscaping. This ensures every new home contributes meaningfully to nature recovery and sets a new standard in sustainable, considerate development.”

Homes for Nature complements Biodiversity Net Gain regulations, which require developers to deliver a minimum 10 per cent increase in biodiversity. More than 28 major homebuilders have signed up to the campaign, which is expected to add over 300,000 bird nesting features nationwide in the coming years.

As a member of the Future Homes Hub, Platform Housing will work with partners including the RSPB, Action for Swifts, Hedgehog Street and the NHBC to develop guidance and ensure consistent adoption of wildlife-friendly practices across the industry.

£21m partnerships deal to deliver 98 homes in Duckmanton

Tess Egginton
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£21m partnerships deal to deliver 98 homes in Duckmanton
Housebuilder Honey is partnering with emh to deliver 98 homes for the housing association at its Pearl development in Duckmanton. The £21m deal is the first between the two businesses and will comprise 70 grant-funded homes and 28 Section 106 properties. Work on the homes is due to commence at the end of this year, with the first handovers scheduled for summer 2026. All of the homes will be delivered over a period of two years. Honey is using timber frame construction on the homes as part of the housebuilder’s sustainability strategy. Honey chief executive, Mark Mitchell, said: “This partnership with emh marks part of what we believe is our social purpose to address the lack of housing supply, through providing more affordable homes. The deal will enable us to deliver homes with sustainability designed into their core for those who need them the most in Duckmanton.” Chris Jones, executive director for development at emh, said: “At emh, we’re committed to building high-quality new homes which meet the needs of local people, and we’re pleased to be partnering with Honey to help us achieve this commitment. “I look forward to seeing how the scheme develops over the coming months, and welcoming residents to their new homes in the future.”

Ashmere relocates headquarters to new Swanwick offices

Tess Egginton
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Ashmere relocates headquarters to new Swanwick offices
Ashmere, a regional care operator in the East Midlands, is relocating its headquarters to a new, centrally located office. Currently based in Heanor, Ashmere will move to two purpose-built offices at Turnpike Business Park in Swanwick. The company plans an extensive refurbishment and fit-out to create state-of-the-art office accommodation and dedicated training facilities for its employees. William Speed of Salloway Property Consultants, who negotiated the sale to Ashmere on behalf of a private client, said: “We are seeing fewer freehold properties coming onto the market at the moment, so it’s no surprise that opportunities like this attract high levels of interest. “It’s particularly rewarding to complete a deal with such a well-known and respected care operator as Ashmere, who will now make these offices their new headquarters and training centre.” The two buildings provide approximately 10,000 sq ft of space, offering Ashmere the opportunity to design and deliver bespoke office and training environments tailored to their needs. David Poxton, director of Ashmere, added: “We are really excited to make Contract House and Project House our new homes. Having both our head office and training centres in one location will help streamline operations and support our future growth. “The modern facilities give us the perfect opportunity to create a state-of-the-art work environment and training hub for our team.”

Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens sign strategic agreement

Tess Egginton
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Rolls-Royce Submarines and Siemens sign strategic agreement
Rolls-Royce Submarines and technology company, Siemens, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on digital optimisation and boost efficiency across engineering. The MOU encourages shared and mutual collaboration, with the ultimate aim to minimise time to production for new Rolls-Royce technology, while reducing cost and risk within an increasingly complex engineering, manufacturing and operational environment. Rolls-Royce Submarines currently employs more than 5,000 people and designs, manufactures and provides in-service support to the pressurised water reactors that power every boat in the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. Siemens’ software and hardware from the Siemens Xcelerator open business innovation platform helps companies transform processes – accelerating innovation, improving productivity and enhancing efficiency. This collaboration with Siemens will support Rolls-Royce Submarines in delivering UK sovereign defence requirements more effectively, enabling a more knowledgeable, productive, secure and agile operation.
The collaboration will benefit from the sharing of best practice across the digital landscape, with the ultimate aim being to enhance skills across engineering, manufacturing, research & development, training and reactor operation and maintenance, using digital technology as an enabler. Lee Warren, Rolls-Royce Submarines Engineering & Technology Director, said: “Harnessing the power of digital, and collaborating with global experts such as Siemens, will make us more efficient and ultimately provide an enhanced service to the Royal Navy by getting submarines in the sea quicker and accelerating the maintenance of those already in service.”
Rolls-Royce is currently supporting the existing Astute and Dreadnought boat build programmes through the delivery of reactor plant and associated components. It also provides frontline support across the world for reactor plant equipment from its Operations Centre in Derby and supports the submarines when in the Barrow-in-Furness shipyard and the naval bases at Devonport and Faslane.
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