East Midlands Combined County Authority unveils ambitious blueprint for the future

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands Combined County Authority unveils ambitious blueprint for the future
The first formal meeting of the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) takes place this week – with council leaders set to discuss an ambitious blueprint for the region’s future. The EMCAA board, made up of the four leaders and deputy leaders from Derbyshire, Derby, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham councils will debate a number of key reports at their first meeting on 20 March. Reports on the agenda include the EMCCA’s strategic economic framework which outlines an ambitious programme to improve the lives of everyone who lives and works in the region. The framework focuses on the importance of growing the region’s economy for everyone’s benefit by targeting investment to speed up economic growth, improving transport links to towns, cities and major employers in the East Midlands and working with partners so people can develop key skills needed across the region. The organisation will work with local authorities, landowners, developers and housing providers to create affordable, good quality housing, and to retrofit existing homes to make them more environmentally sustainable. It also plans to pioneer new forms of clean energy generation, support work to bring green spaces and nature back into communities and improve health life expectancy, especially in the region’s most disadvantaged communities and places. The board meeting takes place in Chesterfield ahead of elections for the region’s first Mayor, on Thursday 2 May. Following the elections future board meetings will be chaired by the Mayor. The board meeting will be followed by an EMCCA launch event in Chesterfield for partners and stakeholders from across the region.

Revenue ticks up at Nottingham recruitment group while profit dips

Tess Egginton
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Revenue ticks up at Nottingham recruitment group while profit dips
Staffline Group, the recruitment and training group, has hailed a “robust trading performance across 2023.” Announcing its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2023, the Nottingham-based business posted revenue of £938.2m, up from £928.1m in 2022, which Staffline said highlighted market share gains predominately in Recruitment GB. Underlying operating profit, meanwhile, was slightly ahead of market expectations, “against challenging trading conditions.” At £10.3m, it dipped from £12m in 2022. Furthermore, gross profit stood at £80.8m, down from £82m.

Albert Ellis, Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am pleased to report that Staffline has delivered a robust trading performance across 2023, demonstrating the resilience of the Group’s operating model against a challenging macro-economic backdrop and also the success of our strategy.

“We continued to grow our recruitment market share, driven by a healthy pipeline of contract renewals and awards, alongside further strengthening our cash position which enabled us to carry out a £5m share buyback programme, an important part of our capital allocation policy.

“Our results for 2023 are a testament to not only the resilience of our business, but also the hard work of our team who have worked tirelessly to deliver these results. I would personally like to thank all our talented leadership and dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment to Staffline’s success.”

Northampton investment sale completed on behalf of Lidl

Tess Egginton
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Northampton investment sale completed on behalf of Lidl

A building occupied by The Gym Group in Northampton has been sold in a deal brokered by commercial property consultancy Johnson Fellows.

AMK2 Real Estate Ltd has acquired the 16,963 sq ft unit on a 1.26-acre site at Gambrel Road from the retail chain for an undisclosed sum.

The property is currently occupied by The Gym Group on a 15-year lease, expiring in 2033. AMK2 Real Estate was represented by Jack Brown of TDB Real Estate.

The former purpose-built supermarket, with 75 parking spaces, occupies a prominent roadside position alongside Sixfields Retail Park. Occupiers nearby include Sainsbury’s, Next, M&S, Boots, TUI, Poundland, Costa and Lidl.

Johnson Fellows’ agency partner Chris Gaskell works alongside Lidl on the acquisition and disposal of sites across the country.

He said: “We are working hand in hand with Lidl to identify sites for new supermarkets, while also disposing of land and property that is no longer required. The site at Gambrel Road, which has an excellent occupier, was surplus to requirements and we are therefore delighted to announce that it has been acquired by AMK2 Real Estate.” 

Armsons Barlow to transform Derby College Group’s campus

Tess Egginton
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Armsons Barlow to transform Derby College Group’s campus
Derby-based project managers, construction cost consultants and building surveyors Armsons Barlow are helping to bring an education facility at Derby College Group’s campus to life. Work has already begun on the new East Midlands Institute of Technology (EMIoT) building which is located at the college’s Roundhouse Campus on Pride Park, expanding the current footprint by adding 1,100 square meters to house the new facilities. The EMIoT facility, which will be net zero, will feature state-of-the art classrooms and collaborative workspaces, providing students with a hands-on and immersive learning experience. The cutting-edge technology will allow teaching to be carried out on-site or anywhere in the world. It aims to address the increasing demand for skilled professionals and in-technology related fields and will equip students with future-ready skills necessary to meet the evolving demands of the workforce. A groundbreaking ceremony, which took place recently at the college, marked the official start of construction on the state-of-the-art EMIoT facility. Armsons Barlow are working alongside architects YMD Boon on the project, along with structural engineers JPL; M&E engineers, Hba Consulting; consultants Thornton Firkin and contractors Davlyn Construction. Armsons Barlow will be working alongside the design team to provide project management services for the project. The project is a partnership between Derby College Group, Loughborough University, Loughborough College and University of Derby, working with key industry players such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota Manufacturing UK, Alstom, and Bloc Digital. The development is set to be completed and ready for opening in September 2024. Sally Walters, director of Armsons Barlow, said: “We are thrilled to be a part of this transformative project which will shape the future of education and training in the East Midlands. “Our role as project managers underlines our commitment to ensuring that this groundbreaking initiative is successfully executed to bring together education, industry, and cutting-edge technology.”

Dow Schofield Watts’ corporate finance team expands again

Tess Egginton
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Dow Schofield Watts’ corporate finance team expands again

Dow Schofield Watts (DSW) has appointed an additional Partner in its expanding Midlands corporate finance team. Ryan Shields joins from Grant Thornton in Milton Keynes where he was an M&A Director.

Ryan is the fifth and final founding member to join the team, with his arrival having been delayed due to contractual commitments. He joins the existing Partners – Harry Walker and Shaf Bheda, together with Director Fahim Kassam and Associate Directors Daniel Chouciño and Lucy Fairclough, bringing the total number in the team to six.

Ryan will be focusing on building Dow Schofield Watts’ corporate finance presence in Milton Keynes and Northampton, an area where he has a strong track record.

He has spent his career at Grant Thornton, joining in 2012 and gaining his accountancy qualifications, then moving into the corporate finance team and rising through the ranks. Working with entrepreneurs, owner-managers, large corporates, management teams, and private equity he has advised on a wide range of transactions.

His sweet spot is selling privately owned businesses with a value between £10m to £50m with significant experience across the business support services (built environment and energy), industrials, and technology sectors.

“I have loved my years at Grant Thornton, but now is the time to move on and be part of building a new challenger boutique focusing on the mid-market where we all feel there is a distinct opportunity,” said Ryan.

“The DSW Corporate Finance team in the Midlands has made no secret of its plans to invest in expanding strategically to bring its signature Partner-led approach to Milton Keynes and Northampton. DSW has a highly regarded and recognised brand and corporate finance offering, which I’m thoroughly looking forward to playing a role in.”

Recent significant deals include advising private equity house Freshstream Investment Partners on their investment in Project Better Energy, the sale of Motor Parts Direct to South African listed Motus, the sale of Miers Construction Products to SIG PLC and the sale of Oysta Technology to The Access Group.

Harry Walker added: “Ryan is the last piece of the current jigsaw for DSW Corporate Finance in the Midlands. He is an established and highly regarded corporate finance operator, and his focus on Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire strengthens our geographical reach in the South Midlands and into the Central and East markets.

“On top of that, Ryan enhances our mid-market offering, being another partner with experience in delivering some of the region’s most significant private equity and owner-managed deals in recent years.

“We’re excited to have assembled a roster of dealmakers with over 60 years’ experience between them and are looking forward to building the business together with our clients and fellow Midlands professionals.”

Hopkins Solicitors expands their legal support into Derbyshire

Tess Egginton
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Hopkins Solicitors expands their legal support into Derbyshire
Hopkins Solicitors Ltd has announced the acquisition of Miles & Cash Solicitors. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone in the growth and expansion of Hopkins Solicitors Ltd’s footprint into Derbyshire’s legal community. By joining forces with Miles & Cash, Hopkins Solicitors Ltd strengthens its position as a provider of legal services, offering an expanded range of expertise and resources to Heanor’s local residents and small businesses. Miles & Cash’s Managing Partner, Chris Sedgwick, said: “Our search for a law firm to transform the business was easy, having known a number of the Hopkins staff personally, we knew they held the same values and high levels of quality service. “In addition, we knew that during their previous acquisitions of other local law firms they ensured that existing clients knew that the business was still there to support them, and that the employees felt secure and supported on their future career growth.” “We are excited about the opportunities that this acquisition presents for our clients and our team,” said Chris. “Joining Hopkins Solicitors Ltd allows us to continue providing the highest level of service to our clients while offering expanded resources and expertise across a wider spectrum of legal areas. We look forward to a seamless integration and continued success as part of the Hopkins Solicitors family.” Miles & Cash Solicitors has built a solid reputation for its expertise in Children and Care Law, serving a diverse client base with integrity and professionalism. This team including solicitors Chris Sedgwick (Partner) and Lucy Fisher (Associate) have stayed onboard further expanding Hopkins’ already extensive and reputable Children Law and Care Team. Martyn Knox, Managing Director of Hopkins Solicitors, said: “We look forward to getting to know and support the members of Heanor’s local community, both as clients and as future employees. We believe that our local expertise and our honest commitment to high standards is what allows us to provide a personal approach to our clients, and truly make a difference in improving people’s lives.” In March 2024 interior and exterior renovations began on the existing Miles & Cash office which is located in Heanor’s town centre just north of Derby, between Ripley and Ilkeston. Once complete, the office will be expanding and housing at least 8 solicitors offering a full range of legal support services including private family law, children & care law, residential conveyancing, wills & probate, civil litigation, personal injury & medical negligence, employment law, company commercial and commercial property law. The acquisition of Miles & Cash Solicitors underscores Hopkins Solicitors Ltd’s commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering exceptional results for its clients.

Work starts on new Towcester special school

Tess Egginton
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Work starts on new Towcester special school
Construction works have started on the development of a new special school located in Towcester which will provide much-needed places for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Construction firm Wilmott Dixon are underway with the development of the new school, called Tiffield Academy, which is set to open in autumn 2025 and will cater for children and young people between the ages of four to 18 with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC), speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), as well as those with severe learning difficulties (SLD). The school will be designed to physically accommodate 250 pupils, although it will operate to an admissions number of 230, with the remaining 20 places expected to be filled through emergency placements or other extenuating factors. Commemorating the occasion with a ground-breaking ceremony, stakeholders came together to mark the start of the project, which will take shape over the next 18 months. Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills at West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) was joined by representatives Wilmott Dixon who are delivering the project and Greenwood Academies Trust who will be responsible for running the new school. This work follows planning approval in January this year for a three-storey building that is specially designed to create an environment for children to learn, grow and thrive. The school will have general and practical teaching spaces, a lift providing access to the upper floor, with each key stage next to a calm room, intervention room and a group room. There will be two halls proposed to provide physical activities, music, drama and assembly spaces. The Early Years phase will be co-located with need specific sensory rooms and separate dining spaces for primary and secondary pupils. Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families, Education, said: “It is positive to see work underway at the Tiffield site in preparation for opening in Autumn 2025 as we know these additional spaces are very much needed and will make a significant difference to the children and young people who will attend the school, as well as their families. This school will provide an engaging environment and excellent teaching and learning facilities to help our students learn, develop and connect. “This is a step forward and is part of our wider programme of creating 600 new specialist places locally as we continue to see a high demand for SEND places to meet the needs of our children and young people. “We know this is not a solution for all and that there remain challenges with demand in other areas. We are working hard to provide support in all areas across our SEND offer and are working with schools and learning providers to embed a graduated response to ensure children’s needs are identified as early as possible and met in the best way. We are also reviewing the needs of all children to understand if and when additional specialist provision is needed.” Spokesperson for Wilmot Dixon said: “We would like to thank West Northamptonshire Council for providing us with the opportunity to be a part of this new prestigious SEND project. As a result of the collaborative approach between each stakeholder, we are well underway to delivering this exciting new facility. Our goal is to assist West Northamptonshire council and the Greenwood Academy Trust in creating a positive legacy for the trust and the wider community for many years to come.”

Vistry Group completes deal to deliver 133 affordable homes for Rushden

Tess Egginton
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Vistry Group completes deal to deliver 133 affordable homes for Rushden

Vistry Group, the provider of affordable mixed-tenure homes, has sealed a £34 million deal to bring 133 affordable family homes to Rushden in partnership with Platform Housing Group.

The site, which was formerly owned by Co-op, benefits from full planning permission and work is expected to start in summer 2024. This new development will consist of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses and maisonettes, including air source heat pumps to reduce carbon emission, with thoughtfully designed green spaces to create a new area which will integrate well with the local community. As well as new homes, the development will also mean more than £700,000 of investment in services to benefit the whole community. All the homes will be manufactured off site using open panel timber frames from the Vistry Works East Midlands factory in Bardon. Building homes using this modern method of construction (MMC) reduces the carbon footprint of every property. Each home built using these panels emits 14,460kg CO2e less than a traditional brick-and-block house. Andy Reynolds, managing director of Vistry South East Midlands, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Platform Housing Group on this 100% affordable development which will not only meet the housing needs of the community but create beautiful green spaces which blend with the local environment. “We’re excited to be a part of Northampton’s growth and to be entrusted with the build of these much-needed new homes which will contribute to the unique character of the area as well as releasing over £700,000 of investment in local services to create a thriving and sustainable community.” Ann Taylor, director at Savills, acting on behalf of Co-op, said: “We are delighted to see this site complete and come forwards for development. The land has been vacant for a long time, therefore the new homes, the significant S106 contributions into the wider community, and the associated new jobs are all a welcome benefit of development. It is exciting to finally see this scheme become a reality.” Michael Baggett, director of land and partnerships at Platform Housing Group, added: “Strong partnerships that truly work for all parties will be the key to unlocking opportunities and delivering affordable housing at scale. At Platform we are determined to keep building homes and working with Vistry we are proud to be offering so many people the chance to have a place they can call home.” The parties’ professional advisors were Rachel Saint of Paris Smith acting for Co-op, Patrick Aide of Freeths acting for Vistry Group and Gabor Taller acting for Platform Housing Group.

Fluid Ideas creates drive-in Derby studio to rival London and Manchester

Michael Fisher
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Fluid Ideas creates drive-in Derby studio to rival London and Manchester
Creative agency Fluid Ideas has unveiled the latest phase of its expansion – a drive-in studio for filming, photography, recording and events. The studio, called Flux, features an infinity cove, a fully-functional kitchen set and an audio booth for recording voiceovers and podcasts. Fluid has invested a six-figure sum to transform a 1,300sq ft building next to its headquarters in a former cotton mill at Darley Abbey Mills, a World Heritage Site on the outskirts of Derby. Jamie Hovell, an associate partner at Fluid, said the new multipurpose facility – in the old Engine House – gives the Midlands a genuine alternative to Manchester and London for filming, photoshoots and recordings. “The combination of the drive-in feature, the infinity cove with overhead lighting rig and the kitchen set means we have a distinctive and really versatile space which our team will utilise for client projects,” he said. “In just 10 weeks, we’ve transformed a vacant and unloved industrial building to create a real point of difference for Fluid and the region, and one which we are confident will appeal to our clients and the wider creative community. “It’s a spacious open studio with plenty of space for lighting and cameras. The infinity cove is brightly lit and curves into the floor, so there are no corners or shadows. It can easily be repainted according to the colour needs of each client. “We’d been scoping out places to create a facility of this kind for some time, and visited a number of potential sites before the Engine House became available. It’s the perfect location, and seeing the new space we had envisioned for so long transformed from a blank canvas and spring into life over the weeks has been a real joy.” Jamie added: “We see Flux becoming a hub in the Midlands. Until now, people have had to travel to Manchester or London for such a facility. “Now there is somewhere closer to home which businesses, art directors, marketing teams and other agencies can hire for their own projects. It can also be used for off-site meetings, product launches, get-togethers and workshops.”

Rolls-Royce to invest in Derby

Tess Egginton
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Rolls-Royce to invest in Derby
Rolls-Royce is investing in its assembly, test and shop visit capacity in Derby and Dahlewitz, Germany to address growing long-term demand for new civil large engines and improve customer aftermarket support services for its global Trent fleet.
As outlined at last year’s Capital Markets Day, Rolls-Royce expects an annual increase of 7 – 9% of Rolls-Royce powered aircraft in service for the remainder of the decade and forecasts engine flying hours to reach 120 – 130% mid-term compared to 2019 levels. To prepare for this growth, Rolls-Royce is investing £55m and recruiting more than 300 front-line operations roles, split between its operations in Derby and Dahlewitz. About half of the investment and about two thirds of the jobs will be created in Derby. The investments include expansion of engine build capacity in Derby to deliver over 40% more new engines per year from 2025 – compared with average deliveries over the last 10 years – and increase of services capacity. These investments follow last month’s announcement to invest £1bn in a continuous improvement programme for the Trent engine family. Rob Watson, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, said: “These latest investment in our engine build and services capacity is further proof of our commitment to deliver both excellent products and services to our global customer base. We are ready to support our continued growth in the widebody market – delivering even greater availability, reliability, and efficiency.”
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