Work nears completion on cutting-edge planetarium

Michael Fisher
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Work nears completion on cutting-edge planetarium

Enhancing science education, work on the UK’s newest planetarium for more than a decade is progressing rapidly at its Nottinghamshire site, with the £6.8 million project set to complete by the end of November.

Funded by the UK Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Wolfson Foundation, the Foyle Foundation and numerous other donors, the new planetarium forms part of the Sherwood Observatory, which is being transformed into a leading regional education and exhibition space off Coxmoor Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

The internal fit-out is now well underway, with equipment including a ten-metre diameter hemispherical screen and projectors being installed that will show tours of the solar system and beyond. The planetarium will feature 59 seats and will be disability accessible.

Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is behind the scheme, delivering project and cost management services.

Nick Hanson, associate cost manager at Pick Everard, said: “This is an exciting project that is contributing positively to the local area with a world leading science and education facility.

“The Sherwood Observatory is of huge historical significance and draws on our expertise of delivering high quality visitor attractions, with protected elements sensitively treated and managed through robust stakeholder management plans.

“Our team is fully invested in helping deliver this unique undertaking, which will have a transformative impact on regional tourism and economy drives.”

Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson delivered the construction works for the multi-million pound planetarium – completing pre-construction design and planning through SCAPE’s Beyond the Public Sector Framework.

Jason Ainsworth, framework construction manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “We feel very privileged to be part of such an exciting and unique project in the region, and once finished, the state-of-the-art centre promises to be a pivotal tourism and educational hub.

“Alongside attracting thousands of visitors to the region and raising awareness of the local area and history of the site, it also provides opportunities for STEM careers for future generations to come. This was made possible due to our early involvement and collaborative working with the client team and consultants, facilitated through the SCAPE Beyond the Public sector Framework”.

The new planetarium design incorporates the existing Victorian subterranean reservoir, which will see its original features, such as the intricate brick arches, kept to preserve the history of the building.

The ambitious plans for the site aim to create a unique, world-class facility that will rival those elsewhere in the UK.

Councillor Matthew Relf, executive lead member for regeneration, growth and local planning at Ashfield District Council, said: “It is wonderful to see construction of the new planetarium and science centre nearing completion. It has been a monumental effort by all involved.

“It will be a fantastic place for schools and youth groups as well as individuals and families to come and see shows about space and science. We know this will light the fire and passion for future scientists and engineers in the area.

“It has been a privilege to be part of the journey of seeing this move from an initial pitched idea while walking around the dark Victoria water tank, to securing the funding and now seeing the space transformed into a modern and exciting facility. I could not be more excited to see my first show in the finished planetarium.

“This really will be an incredible asset for the district and broader region and will inspire so many people with the wonders of space and inspire many onto new and exciting careers.”

Steve Wallace, planetarium project manager and chairman at Sherwood Observatory, said: “This is going to be a cutting-edge facility and it has been fascinating to work on. We are now moving to the next stage where a specialist planetarium creator is on site transforming the dome.

“It is a very unique bit of software that offers theatrical shows and give visitors an immersive tour of the solar system where they can go from planet to planet and then out into the wider Milky Way and Universe.”

The planetarium at Sherwood Observatory is the latest development Pick Everard has worked on in the region, following the recent opening of a new ‘Green Heart’ space as part of the £2 billion Broad Marsh regeneration project in Nottingham city centre.

Irwin Mitchell to open new office in Nottingham

Michael Fisher
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Irwin Mitchell to open new office in Nottingham

Irwin Mitchell is opening a new office in Nottingham as it continues to invest in growth across the UK.

Earlier this year the firm opened a Brighton office and confirmed deals to invest in Scottish law firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie and to acquire Silk Family Law in the Northeast of England. The firm also posted record revenue of more than £300m for the first time for FY24.

The law firm is building on the success of its recent regional consulting office expansion following similar openings in Brighton, Cardiff and Liverpool in recent years.

The new Nottingham office on City Gate East in the city centre provides Irwin Mitchell colleagues with a base to work with existing clients in the East Midlands region as well as grow the firms network to become part of the local community.

The new office presents a strong growth opportunity for a full-service firm like Irwin Mitchell with more than 1.5m people living in the broader East Midlands region.

Craig Marshall, Group Chief Executive at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Our new Nottingham office allows us to build on our presence in the region to meet the needs of our existing and future clients. Colleagues from all of our business units are already active in the East Midlands from personal injury and medical negligence, to private client, family and business services and we expect to see growth in all areas from the region.”

WBR Group announces acquisition of Brunel Trustees

Michael Fisher
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WBR Group announces acquisition of Brunel Trustees
WBR Group, the UK’s largest independent provider of SSAS services and tax experts announces the acquisition of NM Perris & Co Ltd, which trades as Brunel Trustees along with associated companies Brunel Trustees Limited, and Omniphi Systems Limited, for an undisclosed sum. All three businesses will continue to trade under their current names. The businesses are based in Bristol, well-established, with a strong reputation in the SSAS administration sector and software development.
  • Brunel Trustees focuses on SSAS administration, providing comprehensive services to manage and administer SSAS pensions, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
  • Brunel Trustees Limited: as a SSAS practitioner and trustee company, Brunel Trustees Limited offers trustee services and expertise in managing SSAS schemes. They play a crucial role in ensuring the proper governance and administration of these pension schemes.
  • Omniphi Systems Limited: specialises in developing software solutions for SSAS and SIPP administration. Their Omni software is a key tool used by many SSAS and SIPP administrators to streamline and enhance their service offerings.
The acquisition includes 200 SSAS schemes with assets under administration totalling £300 million. All six SSAS employees, including the Directors, will join WBR Group, while five SIPP employees will transition to Cabot. This strategic acquisition will enhance WBR Group’s service proposition and further expand its presence in the UK market. WBR Group is head quartered in Leicester, and following completion has 5 additional offices in Bolton, Bristol, London, Salisbury and Wimbledon, providing support to clients across the UK. The Group now has over 4,500 SSAS with assets of over £4.5bn and nearly 200 employees. Established in 2016, the firm boasts an executive team that has over 150 years’ experience providing advice to business owners and other professionals seeking guidance on tax planning opportunities and the benefits of using a SSAS pension. Martin Tilley , Director of WBR Group, added: “Since we launched in 2016, we have been creating a hub of SSAS excellence, with a dedicated account manager model that is hard to beat.  Over the past 6 years we have grown both organically and through acquisitions such as the James Hay and Rowanmoor SSAS books. “We continue to provide service excellence, high levels of technical support and specialist assistance to clients and the acquisition of NM Perris reflects the synergy of values and service ethos between our firms. “We are excited to welcome the three NM Perris businesses to the WBR Group and look forward to enhancing our service offerings. Omniphi Systems have been providing innovative software solutions for the SIPP and SSAS sector for over 20 years and will continue to run as an independent business, and having this expertise will help us continue to innovate.” Nick Perris, CEO of NM Perris & Co, commented on the acquisition: “Having spent 40 years in the profession, it has been a privilege to work with our clients and staff. I am confident that this acquisition will result in minimal disruption to our clients, as the trustee company will remain unchanged, and the Bristol office will continue to operate as usual. I will be transitioning to WBR Group for at least the next 12 months to ensure a smooth handover and maintain client contact. Everyone is excited for the opportunity ahead as we become part of the WBR Group but retaining our brand identities.”

A mixed view for the economy

Michael Fisher
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A mixed view for the economy
With unemployment rising to 4.3%, up from 4.0% in August, there is room for some nervousness in Westminster and further afield in our region. However, increases in wage growth (from 3.9% to 4.3% over the same period) may indicate a healthier outlook for those able to stay in business. It’s thought this may have led to the BoE’s somewhat tame take on interest rates, as raising or lowering them too much in either direction could have led to accelerating inflation reminiscent of earlier in the year. Isaac Stell, Investment Manager at Wealth Club, had the following to say. “A pickup in the unemployment rate may start to ring alarm bells in the halls of Westminster as the rate for September exceeded expectations by some margin. This increase serves as a warning sign to the Government following on from the Budget where businesses saw a large increase in the level of national insurance contributions they will have to pay. If these additional costs restrict hiring and cause jobs to be lost, its so-called growth agenda will be further scrutinised.”

Azets in Nottingham partners with the Friary

Michael Fisher
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Azets in Nottingham partners with the Friary
The team at Azets in Nottingham have volunteered their time to the Friary, a charity with a mission to empower homeless and vulnerable adults to rebuild their lives by offering practical services, advice and emotional support. Explaining the partnership, Sue Maltby, Senior Manager at Azets in Nottingham said: “A group of 11 of us from our Nottingham office volunteered at the Friary to support with sorting the generous food donations following harvest festivals held locally. Seeing and talking to those running the charity gave us a great insight into how much goes on behind the scenes and how reliant they are on donations and volunteer hours. Across the year, groups of colleagues from our Nottingham office are sharing their time to help the Friary, with a separate team helping with the maintenance of the allotments in May. The allotments not only provide some of the produce that goes into the food provision but also act as a type of therapy for those needing a break from their normal routine, with outdoor craft sessions being added to the Friary’s offering for those in need. It’s a great charity doing incredible things, and we look forward to continuing our support in the coming months.” Ben Talbot, CEO at the Friary added: “The Friary team spend time working to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and we don’t always have the time to sort through the harvest donations we receive. We were genuinely blown away by how proactive and efficient the Azets team were. We look forward to welcoming them back again in the future.” Every employee at Azets’ is entitled to one day a year of volunteering time as part of the firm’s commitment to social causes. The Friary was chosen by the team in Nottingham to be the office’s charity of the year. Azets in Nottingham offers a full-service capability, including commercial audit, public sector audit, corporate tax compliance and advisory, private client tax, global mobility, technical accounting, outsourced statutory reporting, corporate finance, forensics, and restructuring. The office currently employs 47 people at Chetwynd Business Park.

MRP invests in cutting-edge laminator technology

Michael Fisher
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MRP invests in cutting-edge laminator technology
As part of ongoing commitment to enhancing their capabilities, MRP have announced announce the installation of a new Lamina Fasline Edge 1116 FLE Mounter/Laminator. This advanced machine offers increased versatility, productivity with up to 8,000 sheets per hour, sheet-to-sheet mounting of paper to board and board to board, whether solid or corrugated and with full servo control, it ensures edge-to-edge registration accuracy of less than 1mm and automatic feeding. It can seamlessly mount two sheets of board of varying thicknesses or paper to board. It is also capable of mounting various substrates to both open and closed-faced corrugated board. Equipped with an in-line ‘Flip Flop Stacker’ system, it automatically flips sheets to prevent curling without compromising speed—a task that was previously done manually, impacting output. Stephen Bates Managing Director said “We believe this new addition will offer better options to our clients, reduce turnaround times, and open doors to new markets. With the growing demand for subscription boxes, our clients are increasingly seeking environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic packaging.”  

Allison Homes invests in future talent with successful apprenticeship scheme

Michael Fisher
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Allison Homes invests in future talent with successful apprenticeship scheme
Regional housebuilder Allison Homes is celebrating the success of its apprenticeship scheme, after seeing four apprentices complete their courses early. Currently, the housebuilder has 11 apprentices working across various trades, including five first-year apprentices and six who are in their second year. This latest group takes the number of apprentices that Allison Homes has trained since 2021 to over 30. As part of the scheme, Allison Homes welcomes students from colleges across the East region. In particular, the housebuilder is in partnership with Stamford College and is a proud sponsor of its innovative Modern Methods of Construction Centre (MMC). In the last academic year, two carpentry apprentices, Leland Moore and Poppy Ludgate, and two bricklaying apprentices, Charlie Ransome and Jacob Kelk, graduated from the scheme well ahead of schedule. Prior to graduating, both Leland and Jacob, who worked at Allison Homes’ Harriers Rest and Abbey Park developments respectively, were recognised as some of the best apprentices in Cambridgeshire at the Peterborough Telegraph Apprenticeship Awards. In 2023 Leland was shortlisted for Construction Apprentice of the Year, and in September 2024 Jacob won the award in the same category. All four former apprentices are now in full-time employment for the contractors they worked with during their time at Allison Homes. Speaking about her experience on the scheme earlier this year, Poppy, who worked on Allison Partnerships’ Manning Road development in Bourne, said: “It has been great to learn whilst also being ‘hands-on’ and putting into practice what I’ve been shown, as well as mixing with all the people on site and understanding how the different trades rely on each other.” Andy Richards, Construction Director at Allison Homes East, said: “With the UK construction sector facing a significant skills shortage, Allison Homes is committed to playing our part in addressing this challenge. We’re passionate about investing in future talent, equipping young people with the skills and experience they need to build successful careers in the industry. “Our apprenticeship scheme is a huge benefit both to the students and to us, helping diversify our workforce and inspire not only the next generation, but our established site teams too. Our long-term goal at Allison Homes is that each of our apprentices will go on to work for our contractors and supply chain, and one day come back to us as site managers. “We look forward to seeing what all our apprentices, past and present, achieve and to continuing our successful scheme long into the future.”

Nottinghamshire Shared Ownership provider donates nearly £160,000

Michael Fisher
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Nottinghamshire Shared Ownership provider donates nearly £160,000
Platform, which provides Shared Ownership homes in Nottinghamshire has donated over £160,000 to charities and communities in the last year. Platform has reported that throughout the financial year 2023-2024, it gave £160,000 to 107 community projects.
This figure represents a number of separate contributions to charity, clubs and societies across the UK as part of its Community Fund, which both the home ownership and the housing association parts of the organisation has supported.
Examples of the projects supported include a baby, toddler and carers club, an organisation that promotes emerging local artists, a community pantry, and a retirement living complex that provides exercise classes to its residents.
As well as this, Platform donated a further £10,000 to its Community Kindness Campaign, which aims to support vulnerable and isolated people, as well as those on lower incomes, at a time when the cost of living continues to be a daily challenge.
In April, representatives of Platform handed midlands-based children’s charity Newlife a, a cheque for £43,533.48 after employees took part in a variety of fundraising activities, such as a 200 mile/2-day bicycle ride, the London Landmarks Half Marathon, bake sales, plant sales, clothing sales, and raffles.
Laura Osborne, Regional Director of Sales and Marketing at Platform, said: “It’s been an incredible experience being able to contribute to so many worthwhile causes throughout the year, and being able to make real and lasting change in the lives of so many how live in the communities that we’re a part of.
“Looking after and actively contributing to those communities that we operate in will always be important to us, and we’ll always do what we can to help support the most vulnerable in those communities. To know that we’re impacting people positively in these areas is as rewarding as it is important.”

All systems go at high profile summit on the East Midlands energy revolution

Michael Fisher
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All systems go at high profile summit on the East Midlands energy revolution
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, shared her vision for decarbonising the region and stimulating inclusive growth at the East Midlands Hydrogen Summit, which took place last week on Friday 8th November at Loughborough University. The Summit showcased the East Midlands’ leading role in the future of clean energy and was brought together by East Midlands Hydrogen, an industry-led initiative supporting the region’s energy revolution by growing the UK’s largest inland hydrogen cluster. Dr Jeevun Sandher MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Hydrogen and MP for Loughborough, also spoke at the summit. The APPG for Hydrogen focuses on raising awareness of, and building support for, large scale hydrogen projects to help the country meet decarbonisation targets.

Hundreds flock to LEP conference

Michael Fisher
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Hundreds flock to LEP conference
Over 400 people attended this year’s Greater Lincolnshire LEP Conference, where artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation were at the top of the agenda. An inspiring keynote by rebel technologist Brett StClair set the tone for the event, which took place at the EPIC Centre on the Lincolnshire Showground. A Demonstration Arena showcasing the latest technology and innovation from Greater Lincolnshire businesses and academics proved a popular attraction with delegates, and two In Conversation discussions on innovation provided much food for thought. On top of all that, the three past and present Chairs of the LEP – Professor Neal Juster, Pat Doody and Ursula Lidbetter – shared their reflections on the achievements of the LEP and looked forward to the future. And James Pinchbeck, Chief Marketing Officer at Streets and Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Innovation Commission, launched the Greater Lincolnshire LEP’s Innovation Routemap. Developed by the LEP and the University of Lincoln, the routemap sets out a new approach to accelerating innovation-led growth across Greater Lincolnshire. “The LEP Conference is a chance for us to bring our supporters together, share ideas and see how technology is shaping the future of our economy,” said Professor Neal Juster, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. “One of the great things about the LEP is the collaboration that goes on between businesses. The conference is a great networking opportunity because you never know where your new business friends, supporters and collaborators are going to be. “Today our theme is innovation for growth, and it’s clear that if businesses are going to survive in a competitive market they need to either do new things or do what they’re currently doing differently. Today is an opportunity to see how other companies are doing things and share knowledge and experiences. “The feedback from our annual conference has always been extremely positive, and every year we’ve always had more people coming along. What they get out of it is an understanding of how others are operating in Lincolnshire, the challenges they have, the opportunities they’re grasping and how best they can capitalise on new technologies.”
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