Furnley House Foundation Summer Ball returns for 2025
The Furnley House Foundation’s Summer Ball will return on Saturday 28 June 2025.
Held at Winstanley House in Leicester, the evening offers an opportunity for people to come together and make a lasting impact for Leicestershire-based charities.
The Furnley House Foundation was created by Furnley House, a Midlands financial adviser, with the aim to improve the lives of those less fortunate. At the last Summer Ball, 170 guests attended and raised over £38,000 for local charities.
The headline charity for this year’s ball is PASIC Cancer Support for Children and Young People, who make sure no family in the East Midlands faces childhood cancer alone. The evening will also raise money and awareness for One Roof Leicester, who tackle homelessness by offering housing, support, and opportunities to those in need, and Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital, which rescues and rehabilitates sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife.
Simon Winfield, chairman of the Furnley House Foundation and managing director of Red Monkey Play, said: “The Summer Ball is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together. Every year, we witness the incredible generosity of businesses and individuals who share our passion for making a difference.
“Previous Balls have been fantastic evenings and raised thousands for charity we can’t wait to welcome everyone for another unforgettable night.”
Leicestershire Business Voice appoints new board director
Leicestershire Business Voice (LBV), the business advocacy group for Leicester and Leicestershire, has appointed Dillan Shikotra as its new board director.
Dillan joins 10 other directors on the LBV board alongside new chair, Sue Tilley. Dillan will help the board to deliver on its strategy of supporting members by shaping the conversation and influencing the future of business in the region.
Dillan Shikotra is managing partner at Leicester-based Microtech, a leader in cybersecurity, software solutions and IT support. He is also vice president of the Shree Wanza Community charity in Leicester.
Commenting on his new role at LBV, Dillan Shikotra said: “I was born and raised in Leicester, and as a local business leader, I am looking forward to working with the LBV board and its members to grow and develop the business community across Leicester and Leicestershire.
“Having proudly been selected for the prestigious Goldman Sachs Accelerator Programme, I’m a staunch advocate of the opportunities that can be realised through strategic business mentoring and making connections with other business leaders.
“I hope that I can champion this approach across the membership base and beyond to help LBV deliver growth and learning opportunities for the local business community.”
Sue Tilley, chair of LBV, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Dillan to the LBV board. He brings a range of specialist experience and skills from within his particular sector that will further strengthen the expertise that our board can offer to support our members.”
Phoenix Brickwork secures double win worth £4.5m
Brickwork, scaffolding and SFS specialist Phoenix Brickwork, based in Pinxton, Derbyshire, has won two major projects with a combined value of £4.5m.
Working with client Willmott Dixon, Phoenix will supply the brickwork package for the University of Staffordshire’s new student village in Stoke-on-Trent. At the same time, Phoenix will also work on a multi-million-pound contract to build a new 28-bed children’s facility in Sleaford, Lincolnshire – providing much-improved facilities for young people.
Work on Stoke’s landmark project will start in March and see 700 new student rooms built in cluster blocks and townhouses alongside a village ‘hub’ facility – which will include a roof-top terrace, well-being spaces and a study area. In addition, BMH Scaffolding, part of the Phoenix Brickwork group of companies, will provide the scaffolding for this high-profile scheme, which is estimated to take 40 weeks.
In Lincolnshire, the ground-breaking project to build a new children’s home has been funded by the Department for Education and is expected to be complete by 2027. The flagship build has been designed to reach net-zero in operation and provide an innovative partial grid solution – supported by solar panels and a state-of-the-art power storage.
Christian Watson, group chairman at Phoenix Brickwork (UK) Ltd, said: “These two new projects represent an impressive win for our group and signal a strong start in 2025.
“Securing these two projects is a fantastic achievement for Phoenix Brickwork and BMH Scaffolding, showcasing the strength of our group and the expertise that we bring to major developments around the country.
“In particular, this collaboration demonstrates our ability to support main contractors on major projects, undertaking multiple interfacing trades and our growing capacity to deliver on ambitious builds.
“The new student village in Stoke and the children’s facility in Lincolnshire, are a significant investment and it’s exciting to see contemporary sustainable architecture blend so effortlessly with nature.
“With Phoenix Brickwork now providing SFS design, masonry and scaffolding, the business is fast becoming a key player in the national sub-contracting landscape.”
Rory Talbot, contracts manager at BHM Scaffolding, said: “The new student village in Stoke-on-Trent and the children’s facility in Sleaford, are both extremely impressive projects and we are excited to be involved.
“We are looking forward to making a coordinated and efficient start to ensure we can deliver both of these projects on time and complete them fast and efficiently.”
Three new partners among law firm’s senior East Midlands promotions
East Midlands law firm, Howes Percival has made nine senior promotions, including three new partners, Hannah Ball, Alishia Marrocco and Gary Pitt.
Louise Hunt, Stephen Ruse and Will Taylor have been promoted to the level of legal director, while Sobia Ahmad, Stephanie Millerchip and Aimee Newton have been made senior associates.
Geraint Davies, Howes Percival’s chairman, said: “Huge congratulations to everyone on their promotions. I think the whole team at Howes Percival has made an enormous contribution over the last 12 months, so while we celebrate the specific landmark of a promotion, we also recognise the hard work, dedication, and invaluable contribution everyone has made.
“We continue to invest in our people, our technology and our offices, to make Howes Percival a great place to work and develop your career. That means upgrading our offices as we have done in Leicester and Cambridge recently, to create fantastic, modern working environments. But it also means creating the opportunities for personal development.
“By opening three new offices in the last 10 years, we have built new teams and created opportunities across the firm both in terms of promotion and brand-new jobs at every level within Howes Percival.”
Farrow & Ball appoints Tecserv UK as national fire & security partner
Tecserv UK has been appointed as the national fire and security provider for Farrow & Ball, covering fire alarms, intruder alarms, emergency lighting, and extinguishers across 28 showrooms in the UK.
Founded in 1946 by John Farrow and Richard Ball, Farrow & Ball has grown into a globally recognised brand, known for its distinctive paints and wallpapers.
As part of this new partnership, Farrow & Ball needed a knowledgeable team to protect its retail spaces. Tecserv UK, which has its head offices in Underwood, Nottingham, will now be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of fire and security compliance across all UK showrooms.
Colin Milligan, chief operating officer at Tecserv UK, said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen by Farrow & Ball to manage their fire and security systems across the UK. At Tecserv, we pride ourselves on delivering a prompt, professional, and high-quality service, ensuring businesses have peace of mind when it comes to compliance and safety.
“We look forward to supporting Farrow & Ball in maintaining the highest standards across their showrooms.”
Mike Gould, Farrow & Ball property manager, added: “Tecserv are a wonderful company to deal with and we look forward to working collaboratively together in the future.”
Freeths advises on London Stock Exchange IPO of MHA
Law firm Freeths has advised Nottingham-based accountancy firm MHA on its £250 million pre-new money valuation IPO on AIM, raising £95.8m from institutional investors, and also with a retail offering component to British investors.
As the UK’s 13th largest accountancy practice, MHA has experienced exceptional growth over the last few years through strategic acquisitions.
The business will now use the capital raised to make further purchases, with the aim of breaking into the top 10 accountancy firms in the UK, for working capital and to allow retired and continuing partners to realise capital as part of a pre-IPO restructuring.
Freeths ECM-specialist London corporate partner Jeremy Swift led on the flotation, with support from London head of corporate, Tom Rowley, and a multi-disciplinary team of 44 lawyers from across the firm’s 13 offices.
Jeremy Swift said: “This has been such an exciting project to work on supporting our client with this IPO, marking a significant milestone in its journey. It will ensure the firm is well placed for further expansion and cement its leading position within the market.
“The listing also demonstrates a strong vote of support for the UK capital markets, which have been under pressure in recent times. With a wealth of expertise in capital markets transactions, our team is fully equipped to support UK companies on complex fundraisings.”
Tom Rowley added: “We are delighted to have been able to assist with bringing MHA to market, working in close collaboration with Cavendish and the wider advisory team.
“It is testament to the strides we have made in recent years in growing a strong corporate team with ECM specialists that can execute complex landmark projects such as this, and gratifying to note our hard work being recognised, for example our nomination for Law Firm of the Year 2025 by City AM.
“It is also great to see a fellow Baker Tilly International network partner firm, with a similar track record of growth to ours, embarking on an exciting next chapter.”
MHA CEO Rakesh Shaunak added: “It’s been such a whirlwind but this new chapter for our business marks an exciting journey for our people as it represents the next stage in our evolution, and we believe we’re best suited to the London market.
“The support we’ve received from Freeths has been invaluable and we certainly wouldn’t have been able to reach this success without the help of their team.”
Midlands mid-sized businesses target new international trade routes despite tariff uncertainty
Expanding or exporting overseas is a top priority for more than half (53%) of Midlands mid-sized businesses over the next year, despite complex international trade conditions.
BDO’s Economic Engine survey of 500 mid-sized businesses shows that companies plan to target territories such as Australia (43%), Africa (31%) and Asia (28%). Europe also remains a healthy market, with 53% focusing on the EU in 2025.
Mid-sized businesses, which generated £1.6 trillion in turnover last year, are continuing to push for growth through international trade despite grappling with supply chain pressures. This includes uncertainty around tariffs in receiving countries, delayed deliveries or a shortage of the skills needed to support overseas exports.
According to the BDO survey, more than two-fifths (41%) of Midlands businesses face skills shortages in export operations or supply chain management teams at a time when they hope to grow overseas trade.
Mounting pressures come as demand from end consumers slows for products and services. Nearly half (44%) say lower demand from consumers, which could include from businesses with elevated operating costs or consumers with high living expenses, is one of the challenges they face over the next six months.
Despite these headwinds, Midlands mid-sized businesses are working to tackle the challenges they face and remain optimistic. Ahead of the Government’s plans to publish a Small Business Strategy later this year, the majority (97%) expect the strategy’s focus on growing smaller firms to benefit them.
Of this number, more than a quarter (26%) are calling for measures to reduce red tape, including reforms to streamline customs procedures, which impact the export of products and services overseas, or offer stronger support for exports and trade, including more dedicated UK Export Finance funding.
These businesses may be buoyed by the Government increasing the amount some companies can borrow from the British Business Bank’s Growth Guarantee Scheme or UK Export Finance’s Export Development Guarantee, as they grapple with the prospect of new tariffs in some receiving countries.
Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner at BDO in the Midlands, said: “Although economic conditions remain challenging, mid-sized businesses in the Midlands are highly ambitious and have their sights firmly set on driving growth, with overseas trade playing a central part in helping to realise those ambitions.
“The forthcoming Small Business Strategy is one of many major opportunities for the Government to provide targeted support for the mid-market – support that will complement regional efforts being driven collectively by the West and East Midlands Combined Authorities that are aimed at reinforcing the Midlands’ role in the UK’s economic landscape.”
Derbyshire Dales secures £1m boost for business and community support
Derbyshire Dales District Council has received an additional £1.02 million in Government funding to support local businesses and community groups over the next year. The funding comes from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund, building on a previous £2.7 million allocation.
The new funding will be distributed through grants aimed at supporting business diversification, growth, digital adoption, and workforce training. Capital and revenue grants will be available across all sectors, with priority given to manufacturing and engineering firms. Businesses may also access free energy audits and apply for additional funding to implement sustainability measures and reduce operational costs.
Previous rounds of investment in the area have funded a range of projects, including technology upgrades for a motor racing simulator business, energy audits for historic sites, and solar panel installations for engineering firms. Community organisations, charities, and local councils will also be able to apply for support through an expanded Community Resilience Grants programme.
Funding is available until March 2026, with a focus on strengthening business resilience and addressing skills shortages in the district.
Grimsby’s Freshney Place redevelopment moves forward with demolition phase
Demolition has started at Grimsby’s former Top Town Market site, marking a significant step in the redevelopment of Freshney Place Shopping Centre.
The project, led by North East Lincolnshire Council and managed by Queensberry, aims to transform the site into a mixed-use retail and leisure destination. Plans include a new Parkway multi-screen cinema, a market hall, and a combined food and shopping space.
The redevelopment forms part of a broader investment strategy for Grimsby town centre and is one of the council’s largest investments to date. It is intended to drive additional investment, support existing tenants, and open up opportunities for new businesses.
Preliminary work, including asbestos removal and dismantling mechanical systems, has been completed. Main contractor GMI Construction Group has now commenced structural demolition, progressing the project to its next phase.
Nottingham’s Botham expands into heart of London’s financial district
Botham Accounting, together with its sister company Botham Capital, has expanded into the heart of London’s financial district, marking a significant milestone in its continued growth.
The business has taken office space at 99 Bishopsgate, a stone’s throw away from Liverpool Street station.
The boutique firm which specialises in the real estate and healthcare sectors was set up by managing director Andrew Botham in 2008 and has undergone rapid growth in recent years with turnover and staffing numbers increasing year on year by over 20%.
In 2023, the firm established a debt advisory and finance brokerage; Botham Capital, with Wes Hodelin at the helm.
The new office will initially be led by Botham Accounting director Tom Gregory, who heads up the firm’s healthcare offering; and Wes Hodelin, managing director of Botham Capital. Both will divide their time between the new office in London and the company’s headquarters in Nottingham city centre.
Gregory said: “The London office is a natural next step for us. We advise clients all over the UK but there is a concentration of clients in London so for us to have a base down has always been on the agenda. With the office at Bishopsgate, we’re in a great location for transport links as well as being close to funders and lawyers that we work with.”
The news of the London office comes just a few weeks after the firm returned to their main office on College Street, in Nottingham’s professional quarter following a three-month refurbishment project.
