Hinckley & Rugby appoints first female Chair of the Board

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Hinckley & Rugby appoints first female Chair of the Board

Hinckley & Rugby Building Society has appointed Nemone Wynn-Evans as the mutual’s new Chair of the Board.

Announcing the news, the Society confirmed that Colin Franklin is retiring after nine years in the role.

Barry Carter, CEO, said: “Colin has been instrumental in guiding Hinckley & Rugby’s transformation into a truly modern, customer-focused building society. I offer my deep gratitude for all he has done for the Society, and my warmest wishes for his well-deserved retirement.

“I am also delighted to welcome Nemone into the role of Chair. She has contributed much to the Society as a member of the Board, and her pioneering spirit will serve us well into the future.

“Together with her external Board roles – in life insurance, venture capital and energy retail services – Nemone possesses a diversity of leadership experience that uniquely attunes her to the current business environment and our members’ expectations.”

Nemone Wynn-Evans joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director in March 2017. She chairs the Nominations & Governance Committee and was appointed the mutual’s Vice-Chair in 2023. She is the Society’s first female Chair of the Board.

Nemone’s background is in the equity capital markets sector of the City of London. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment, and holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management.

Speaking about her appointment (which is subject to regulatory approval), Nemone said: “I am very much looking forward to working closely with our recently-appointed CEO, Barry Carter, as we develop a truly customer-centric organisation for our members.

“We have strong and ambitious plans for growth, with products and services that add real value to our members’ lives, and a strong desire to make our Society the most efficient and effective it can be.”

Reflecting on his distinguished term as Chair, Colin Franklin said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be part of Hinckley & Rugby for the last nine years.

“Hinckley & Rugby is a true mutual, rooted in its communities and with a singular focus of doing its best for its members. I am delighted that Nemone will now be leading the Society, and I know that it will continue to go from strength to strength under her leadership.”

Europe’s “incredible” disabled golfers seeking Cup glory after Derbyshire’s Purpose Media steps in to help fund their trip

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Europe’s “incredible” disabled golfers seeking Cup glory after Derbyshire’s Purpose Media steps in to help fund their trip

Sixteen of Europe’s most talented disabled golfers are ready to fly to the USA to compete in their version of the Ryder Cup after an East Midlands marketing agency signed up as their sponsor.

The team, which consists of golfers from across the continent, including England, Scotland, Denmark and Germany, have been selected to play in the Cairns Cup, an annual transatlantic contest which pits Europe against a team from the United States.

The Cairns Cup is disability golf’s premier matchplay event and, just like the Ryder Cup, it sees players slug it out over three days with a four-ball, foursomes and singles rounds.

The event is taking place at Cherry Creek Golf Club in Detroit at the end of July, with the USA defending their title, which they picked up at 2022’s event, which took place at The Shire London, in Barnet.

Although the golfers play to a high standard, they have to rely on funding to compete, meaning that they need to attract sponsorship to meet the cost of taking part.

Among the firms helping them to pay their way is South Normanton marketing agency Purpose Media, which has contributed towards their costs and air fares, giving them a huge boost in their preparations.

It has also helped organise a fundraising golf day at Morley Hayes, in Morley, on May 9, where local businesses will be invited to play alongside members of the Cairns Cup team, so they can understand the challenges that they have to overcome in order to complete a round of golf.

The event, which is being held in partnership with the Cairns Cup and S O’Brien Heating Solutions, which is based on Pride Park, will begin at 9am and will cost £400 for a team of four.

The Cairns Cup was established in 2018 when former soldier and disabled golfer Kevin Booth and fellow players decided to set up a Ryder Cup-style competition in memory of a friend, Billy Cairns, who died during a previous Europe vs USA disabled golf event called the Phoenix Cup.

Six years on, the Europeans are putting out an experienced team featuring players with a range of disabilities, including amputees, paralysis, cerebral palsy and Parkinson’s.

The team is captained by Netherlands player Tineke Loogman, who was born with one arm, and its players include Kris Aves, who was left paralysed when, while serving with the Metropolitan Police, he was run over by a terrorist driving a stolen van in the Westminster Bridge attacks of 2007, and Trevor Crombie, who has cerebral palsy.

The event has grown in stature every time it has taken place and Kevin, who is now vice president of the European team, says everyone is looking forward to flying to the States to avenge last year’s defeat.

He said: “We’re so grateful to Purpose Media for supporting us and for sharing our philosophy that the game of golf is for everyone and everyone deserves the opportunity to play it.

“All of our players have had to overcome challenges and have all got stories that will touch your heart, but when people see them play they are amazed by their ability with the golf club and the way they refuse to let their disability stop them from getting out onto a golf course.

“This will be my last Cairns Cup event I will be organising so I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a huge undertaking and we’re confident that we can win this time round.”

Matt Wheatcroft, managing director of Purpose Media, is a keen golfer himself, but has a very personal reason for wanting to support the Cairns Cup European team.

He said: “When I was 19 I suffered an injury while playing football and nearly had to have my foot amputated, and more recently, while on holiday I fell and broke my neck and was inches away from being left paralysed.

“So when I first saw these incredible Cairns Cup golfers I thought ‘that could have been me’, but I was totally unprepared for how incredible they are and what they’ve had to overcome.

“We’re really proud to be sponsoring the team and we’re confident that there will be a good turn-out at the golf day. Even if they’re not a super-keen golfer, no-one can fail to be amazed at what these guys achieve and playing against them is extremely inspirational.”

Renewables company makes eleventh strategic acquisition

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Renewables company makes eleventh strategic acquisition
Cleantech business Green Building Renewables has expanded its nationwide network into Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire with its eleventh acquisition.   

Newark-based JL Phillips Renewable Energy Limited increases the company’s turnover to £42 million as it remains on track to reach its £100 million turnover target by the end of 2025.

Since 2021, Green Building Renewables has increased its turnover more than tenfold from £3m to over £40m. Its rapid growth reflects the increasing demand for renewable technology in domestic and commercial settings.

JL Philips’ acquisition allows Green Building Renewables to expand further into Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. The company already has an existing office in Nottingham. 

Green Building Renewables’ continued strategic vision is to extend the benefits of solar energy and low carbon heating to as many local communities as possible by investing into existing local reputable renewable installation companies. 

Managing Director of Green Building Renewables, Chris Delaney, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Jason and his team to ours. JL Phillips is our eleventh acquisition and it demonstrates our commitment to continually investing in renewables and low carbon technology across the country as we aim to build the largest renewable installation company in the UK.” 

Jason Phillips, Managing Director of JL Phillips, added: “Our team is excited about joining Green Building Renewables’ nationwide network of renewable energy experts. The model that Chris and his team are building to offer local installers across the country is important. It ensures that customers get the best local service they can from installers who know their area and understand their needs.” 

The investment into JL Phillips will increase jobs by 25% in the region and is part of a wider strategy to recruit and train the renewable workforce of the future. There remains a skills shortage in the UK when it comes to qualified solar panel installers and heat pump engineers.

In the last two years, Green Building Renewables has grown from one office in York to 15 regional offices across England. By the end of 2024 the company aims to have full coverage of England. 

Staff numbers have increased sixfold in the last two years and the aim this year is to increase staff numbers by a further 60%. The SME has recruited 19 staff already in 2024 and currently has 20 vacancies across the business.  

Chris Joubert, Merger and Acquisition Director at Green Building renewables, added: “JL Phillips is the second acquisition of the year for the company and it’s only March. We are in active conversations with other companies, and we are confident that by the end of the year we will have complete coverage of England through our nationwide local network. This will ensure everyone in the country will be able to access our trusted and highly rated services.”

Public to decide who leads £4bn boost for the East Midlands

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Public to decide who leads £4bn boost for the East Midlands
A £4 billion investment in the future of the East Midlands will be guided by a public vote. Derbyshire, Derby, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham have opened the door to a massive investment in transport, skills, housing and the environment after securing a deal to set up a combined county authority covering the region. But what the combined county authority does will be led by a mayor – and the public get to decide who that mayor is. The first ever election for a mayor of the East Midlands will take place on Thursday 2 May, and a campaign has just been launched to encourage people to head to the polls on voting day. The £4 billion investment has been made possible after government agreed to give up some of its powers and transfer them to the mayor and combined county authority through a landmark devolution deal agreed in 2022. The move means that the East Midlands will be on an equal footing with areas like the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire, where elected mayors have secured similar large-scale investment pots. The East Midlands deal is one of the biggest so far, and the team setting up the combined county authority say the mayor will have the powers and resources to begin a long-term process of growing the region’s economy by investing in skills that lead to better jobs, transport that works better across the region, housing where it’s needed and an economy equipped to deal with net zero. Mark Rogers, interim Chief Executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), said: “This is a big deal in every sense. It’s on a scale that the East Midlands hasn’t seen before, and gives it the powers and resources it needs to turn round under-investment, tackle challenges and open up massive new opportunities for people and places.
“This is all about bringing power back to the East Midlands, and the most significant part of that process is the vote – the people will decide who’ll lead this transformation.”
The campaign to encourage voting is based on the shift of powers from Westminster to the East Midlands. With a slogan ‘here, not there’ it promotes the powers the mayor will have to take big decisions about the future of the East Midlands ‘here’ in the region rather than ‘there’ in London. The combined county authority is being formed by Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council and was developed in partnership with district and borough councils across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Leaders and deputy leaders from each authority will sit on the combined county authority, but they’ll also be advised by specialists from different parts of the community. This includes a business advisory board that will be developed by the interim representative for business, David Williams, who chairs the law firm Geldards, which has a major office presence in both Derby and Nottingham. He said: “This is going to make a huge difference to the East Midlands and there’s a clear emphasis on investing in projects and places that are going to support a long-term improvement to people’s lives. “This is why it’s so important that everyone out there has their say. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest billions of pounds in people’s futures – so our people need to decide who they want to make the key decisions.” The mayor will lead a combined county authority that is being given powers currently held by Westminster to invest over the long-term in priorities like transport, skills, housing and regeneration and net zero. It won’t duplicate what local councils do. The object is to invest in ways that suit the East Midlands, making it easier to travel across different East Midlands transport networks, matching skills to what the region’s businesses do, enabling house building and land regeneration where it’s needed and exploiting the region’s strengths in net zero technologies to create a robust, renewable energy system. The EMCCA is being funded by government and will not take money away from existing council budgets.

East Midlands business confidence falls in March

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East Midlands business confidence falls in March

Business confidence in the East Midlands fell 17 points during March to 35%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

Companies in the East Midlands reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 15 points at 37%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 19 points to 33%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 35% (vs. 52% in February).

Businesses in the East Midlands identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (48%), investing in their team, for example by hiring new staff or investing in training (37%), and entering new markets, for example by diversifying into adjacent markets or exporting to new ones (36%).

The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

National picture

Overall UK business confidence registered 42% in March, the same as in February, as firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects (49%) held steady, and confidence in the economy strengthened by one point (35%).

Yorkshire and the Humber was the most confident UK nation or region in March (60%), followed by the North East (56%) and London (52%).

Sector insights

Services confidence fell 5 points to 40%, the first decline since December. That drop, however, was offset by rises in confidence in the manufacturing, retail and construction sectors.

The gains in manufacturing (up 1 point to 41%) and construction (up 2 points to 40%) were relatively modest and confidence remained below levels seen at the start of 2024. Firms in the retail sector reported improved confidence (up 5 points to 45%), which was the strongest result for over two years.

Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While it might be discouraging to see a drop in business confidence in the region this month, a pickup in businesses looking to evolve their offering since last month points to an increasing focus on diversification as a route for growth.

“As an upcoming devolution deal will deliver £38m per year for the newly formed East Midlands Combined County Authority, regional businesses can look forward to fresh development opportunities. We’ll continue to be by the side of local firms as they prepare to capitalise on all opportunities ahead.”

Historic redundant buildings converted into modern offices for Derby charity

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Historic redundant buildings converted into modern offices for Derby charity
The Liversage Trust, an historic Almhouses Charity with a legacy dating back to 1529, has successfully revamped a redundant site on Alice Street in Derby. This site, situated within the Nottingham Road Conservation Area, has been revitalised into contemporary offices and workshops featuring courtyard parking. The Liversage Trust, renowned for its commitment to offering accommodation and care for Derby residents in need, boasts a diverse and well-managed property portfolio comprising 163 Almhouses, a 40-bed care home, and an array of commercial units and residential properties across the city. The charity’s flagship site is the historic Almshouses on London Road, dating back to 1836, which stands opposite the new Nightingale development. With plans to convert the Almshouses including the on-site office; a development project began to relocate the offices to the redundant building on Alice Street. The Alice Street buildings are of the 1930’s period and have a character typical of functional industrial buildings with solid brick Flemish bond walls, steel industrial small paned windows of the Crittal type and slate pitched roofs. The offices are now fully renovated and are a blend of modern amenities and sustainable design elements. Their completion marks a significant milestone for the Trust and makes a positive contribution to the preservation of the Nottingham Road Conservation Area. Architect, Matthew Montague said: “The new offices will add great operational benefit to the Trust, enhance the future viability and prosperity of the conservation area and strengthen the trust’s portfolio. The project has gone well on site and we are delighted to handover ahead of schedule.” Andy Mellors, General Manager of The Liversage Trust, said: “We are delighted with the completed project; the new space meets the evolving needs of our organisation and reflects our commitment to historical preservation; all of which allow us to keep the heritage and work of The Trust progressing and moving forwards.”

£2.5m regeneration scheme transforms Leicestershire town centre

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£2.5m regeneration scheme transforms Leicestershire town centre

A town centre regeneration project has been completed, revitalising the area for local businesses and residents and enhancing community space.

Shepshed’s Market Place in Leicestershire is now a versatile and pedestrian-friendly environment, following work undertaken by multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard. The improvements, which are set to boost trade and increase footfall in the region, include new car parking spaces, seating, bicycle parking facilities and an array of trees and plantings.

Pavements in Market Place and along nearby Brook Street have also been upgraded and expanded, with soft landscaping elements implemented to increase accessibility and reinforce visual identity in the town centre.

The transformation forms part of a wider set of public realm works by Charnwood Borough Council, which will enable the town centre to host new events and market stalls.

The work, which has been several years in the making, saw Pick Everard deliver project and cost management services via Perfect Circle and the SCAPE Consultancy direct award framework, designed to drive collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings on construction projects.

Matt Hall, director at Pick Everard, said: “It’s fantastic to see the transformation of Shepshed’s Market Place complete, which will generate increased footfall for local businesses. Improving our high streets and public spaces is vital to ensure they suit the way we live our lives today.

“The scheme has placed accessibility and flexibility at the fore to ensure the space can be used for a variety of purposes, including town centre events that will turn Shepshed into a destination offering.

“The work undertaken was both challenging and rewarding, with collaboration and engagement with project partners and the community ensuring any disruption was kept to a minimum in a live working environment. We look forward to watching the space evolve as a modern town centre that benefits residents and visitors alike.”

The Market Place renovation also coincides with improvements to the local Bull Ring, Hall Croft and Field Street.

The scheme, known as the Shepshed Town Centre Masterplan, is led by Charnwood Borough Council, working alongside Shepshed Town Council and Shepshed Town Team.

Cllr Jewel Miah, leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “It is so pleasing to see this project completed and it has made the area a much more attractive place for people.

“We have worked closely with the town council and the town team in consultation with local businesses and residents throughout the process and I hope these improvements will have a positive impact on the town.

“The area is now better for residents and is much more accessible and safer.”

Creative agency makes move to Ednaston Park

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Creative agency makes move to Ednaston Park
Behaviour change marketing agency MacMartin have relocated to Ednaston Park Business Centre located between Derby and Ashbourne. The company was previously located at Needwood House in Burton upon Trent. Ran by sisters Anna and Claire, MacMartin began in 2017, they now employ a small team of creative experts. MacMartin have been involved in delivering impactful campaigns for Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and YMCA to name a few. Commenting on MacMartin’s move to Ednaston Park, Gina Connett, Facilities Manager at Ednaston Park Business Centre, said: “We are delighted to welcome MacMartin to Ednaston Park Business Centre. “Their team perfectly complement our diverse, growing business community here. We look forward to watching MacMartin prosper within the beautifully unique surroundings that Ednaston Park has to offer.” Set in 18-acres of landscaped gardens, Ednaston Park was built in the 19th century. Until 2016 it housed the St Mary’s Nursing Home; it was then bought by Clowes Developments in September 2017. Since then, the developer has invested heavily in the property to turn it into modern office accommodation, combining contemporary styling with many of the building’s original period features. Ednaston Park now comprises of flexible commercial space in the form of 32 office suites ranging in size from 54 sq ft to 553 sq ft, available as single or multi-office lets. It also features meeting rooms, a break-out area and landscaped gardens. In 2022, Clowes demolished the old nunnery living quarters at the back of the main building to create a further three units known as Ednaston Mews, now fully occupied. Recently completed at the start of 2024, adjacent to the business centre is the newly refurbished Ednaston Barns which benefit from their own self-contained plot to the side of the main building.

Corby business sold to employees

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Corby business sold to employees

A Corby-based international telematics firm has been majority sold to an employee ownership trust (EOT).

Mobilevalley has used a £1 million funding package from HSBC UK to support the transfer of ownership of the business to its employees, securing up to 18 jobs in the local area.

An EOT is a special form of employee benefit trust introduced by the Government in September 2014 to encourage more shareholders to set up an employee-led business. Following the move, employees at Mobilevalley are now able to have a meaningful say in how the business is run and operated, driving long-term business growth, employee engagement and ensuring its services are protected for its customers.

As part of its growth plans, the move has also enabled Mobilevalley to open its new branded Midlands Telematics Centre in Corby. The state of the art 3,500 sq ft centre will provide all its services under one roof and is designed for commercial partners and those looking for HGV telematics or CCTV products.

The company is expecting a 10 per cent increase in turnover as a result of the deal.

Troy Smith, Managing Director at Mobilevalley, said: “Our business model is only achievable through the hard work and dedication of our employees, and we’re so pleased that HSBC UK has been able to support our vision of ensuring our business stays committed to its people.”

Nicholas Young, Business Banking Area Director at HSBC, added: “HSBC UK is committed to supporting local economies and communities. A transaction like this ensures the longevity of a successful local business, even after the founders retire.

“We’re pleased to have been able to support Mobilevalley with this key milestone in their lifecycle and enable the business to progress its succession plan.”

With over 25 years’ experience in the telematics installation sector, Mobilevalley is a specialist installer of high-end tracking devices and telematics for large vehicle fleets including trucks, buses, vans and trailers. Its customers stretch across the UK and Europe and span public transport, emergency services and logistics.

UK Space Agency chooses Space Park Leicester for regional office

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UK Space Agency chooses Space Park Leicester for regional office
Space Park Leicester has been chosen to host one of three new regional offices for the UK Space Agency, as part of its national expansion to support the space sector across the UK. The expansion will see the UK’s executive agency for space activity base staff at the University of Leicester’s £100 million science and innovation park. Aligned with the government’s Levelling Up strategy, the expansion will enable the Agency to collaborate more closely with the UK’s thriving space sector, while promoting regional skills and job opportunities to deliver increasingly ambitious missions and capabilities. Within its first two years, Space Park Leicester has already been established as the second largest campus-based cluster with a dedicated space focus in the UK and generated an estimated £89m for the economy in its first year. Professor Richard Ambrosi, Executive Director of Space Park Leicester, said: “Space scientists at the University of Leicester have a long history of working with the UK Space Agency on numerous space missions and programmes spanning upstream technology development and downstream science. “University of Leicester expertise has supported missions with UK Space Agency involvement such as the European Space Agency’s Bepi Colombo mission to Mercury, the Rosalind Franklin Mission to Mars, the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer mission to launch in 2025 and carbon monitoring mission MicroCarb just to name a few.” Recent projects to receive support from UK Space Agency at Leicester include work on carbon mapping sensors for monitoring greenhouse gas emission management programmes in Bahrain. Funding has also been awarded for a Midlands Space Cluster Development Manager to work with local government, businesses and academia, to coordinate space activity and encourage collaboration and inward investment in the Midlands, as well as to the Midland Aerospace Alliance’s Pivot into Space R&D programme. At the start of the year, University of Leicester scientists also received funding from the UK Space Agency’s Space Science and Exploration Bilateral Programme to deliver (with other UK and Spanish collaborators) a Raman spectroscopy instrument for commercial lunar rover and lander missions investigating minerals on the Moon, helping us to understand whether this is a resource that could be used for longer term lunar exploration. Professor Sarah Davies, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester, said: “We are delighted that the UK Space Agency is joining our dynamic and collaborative community at Space Park Leicester. “Space Park draws together colleagues from industry and academia who are working in space and the space-enabled sectors and whose activities and objectives are consistent with those outlined in the recently-published Space Industrial Plan. “Given the value of the UK space sector to our economy, locating UKSA offices in places such as Space City Leicester will be crucial to realising the UK’s ambitions in Space and the University of Leicester is committed to supporting that endeavour.” The UK Space Agency is opening new headquarters at the Harwell Science Campus’ Space Cluster in Oxfordshire and regional offices in Scotland, Wales and the Midlands as it works to support the space sector across the UK. The new structure will create significant opportunities to build on high-growth areas, such as Earth observation and satellite broadband. It will also help the UK establish early leadership in emerging markets such as in orbit spacecraft servicing, active space debris removal, and the new lunar economy, enabling us to help forge a greener, smarter and more inclusive sector. Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “This is a transformational moment for the UK Space Agency, responding directly to the feedback that the Agency should be embedded in the sector. “Our new headquarters, located at the UK’s biggest space cluster in Harwell, will connect to new regional offices in Leicester, Edinburgh and Cardiff, and our existing London and Swindon teams, helping us recruit space talent from across the nation and deliver the National Space Strategy. “Space Park Leicester is a vital part of both Space City Leicester and the broader Midlands Space Cluster, with both a national and international focus. As the city’s hub for space research and innovation, since opening in 2022, it’s crucial we nurture Space Park Leicester’s skills and expertise and connect them with the wider sector to ensure we continue this journey.”
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