Freeths bolsters insolvency practice with partner hire
Law firm Freeths has appointed partner Su Garner to establish a Restructuring and Insolvency team in Leicester.
With more than 20 years’ experience, Su advises clients on a wide range of non-contentious restructuring and insolvency matters. Working across all sectors including construction, retail, hospitality and automotive, she has a particular focus on distressed real estate as well as formal insolvency appointments and security issues.
Su will help strengthen and grow the firm’s offering in the Midlands following recognition from the High Court Review 2023 which named Freeths as the most active in the UK with 358 insolvency filings.
Commenting on the appointment, national head of Insolvency and Restructuring at Freeths, Joey Byrne, said: “The team has expanded considerably over the last couple of years and Freeths is established as a leader in the Restructuring and Insolvency market nationally. With shared values, I’m confident Su will not only complement our team but will also be a valuable addition for our clients during this time of economic uncertainty.”
Lisa Gilligan, managing partner of Freeths Leicester, continued: “Su is a key appointment for the Leicester office to help further strengthen our regional presence as we continue to grow our practice areas. She brings with her a wealth of experience, we’re delighted to welcome her to Freeths.”
Su Garner added: “I’m incredibly excited to join such an outstanding team. The strength of the firm’s existing national offering will assist my aim in enhancing the restructuring and insolvency service across the Midlands for both new and existing clients.”
Nottingham baby loss charity issues plea for help from local businesses for DIY SOS style QMC project
Baby loss charity Forever Stars has issued an urgent plea to local people, businesses, artists and workers for help with a DIY SOS-style makeover project for Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) Nottingham’s Ward A23 and its garden, where families suffering baby loss through miscarriage receive specialist care and support.
With approximately 10 families seeking support on QMC’s Ward A23 each day, it plays a pivotal role in providing treatment and emotional assistance during tough times, and represents a crucial place for families experiencing baby loss before 20 weeks.
“Miscarriage is the most common kind of pregnancy loss, affecting around one in four pregnancies,” explains Forever Stars’ co-founder Richard Daniels. “Despite its prevalence, the emotional toll it takes on families often goes unspoken, leading to a silent suffering for many.
“Forever Stars recognises the need to address this sensitive issue, and provide essential support to those affected by miscarriage. We want to provide as much support as possible to those experiencing baby loss, and so are launching our ‘Supporting 1 in 4 for 2024’ Campaign.”
The charity – created by Richard and his wife Michelle following the stillbirth of their daughter Emily on 19 December 2013 – has pledged to raise £50,000 from donations, fundraising and financial support from local businesses for the Campaign. The money will be used to finance the renovation and improvement of Ward A23’s clinical and non-clinical areas.
The money will also be used to cover work and materials to completely redesign and refit a garden adjoining the Ward, to transform it into a more useable, inviting and appropriate sanctuary space for patients and their families.
“A23 has a fantastic team that supports families dealing with baby loss,” Richard says. “However, the limited funding allocated to A23 primarily caters for essential medical support, leaving the surroundings in need of attention.
“A23 is a busy area, often with the feeling of an A&E ward due to the nature of activities on the ward. We really want to create a better environment for families whilst they wait for treatment or a consultation, at what is a very difficult and scary time.”
Forever Stars has already begun work to transform two of A23’s treatment rooms, to create spaces that not only meet clinical requirements but also acknowledge the emotional needs of families going through miscarriage.
The charity knows that for the 1 in 4 Campaign to truly succeed, it desperately needs more than just financial support to make the renovation of the outside space possible.
Richard explains: “In addition to A23’s vital role in providing medical support, it has the rarity of a garden space, which is a sanctuary where families can retreat to try and deal with the weight of their loss.
“It’s also a valuable waiting area for fathers, and somewhere siblings can get fresh air and be kept occupied and distracted playing with toys while the rest of the family receives treatment. But, the garden requires a lot of attention.
“While Forever Stars’ team never stops fundraising to help support baby loss families, this major campaign is a big challenge, but one we are meeting head on.
“But we desperately need help, donations and resources from as many people and businesses as possible to not only support us in raising the funds we believe are necessary to develop what will be a truly special environment for the families, but also to donate their skills, time, materials, and talents,” explains Richard.
In particular, the charity is hoping for help from local artists to paint large scale murals on outside walls, and a number of specific items and equipment to make the project complete:
- Outside covered areas, seating, heating and lighting
- Audio systems
- Artificial grass
- Bedding plants
- Children’s outdoor toys.
“This is one of our biggest ever challenges, and something we know we can’t do alone. We need as many people as possible to join our fundraising efforts to help us to create a truly special environment for the families that need to use the ward. Support – big or small – can make a genuine difference to the lives of families across the East Midlands who rely on A23 during their miscarriage journey,” says Richard.
Forever Stars officially launched its ‘Supporting 1 in 4 for 2024’ campaign on 1 March 2024. Anyone wishing to donate their time, expertise or materials, or fundraise for the charity and this campaign, can email: enquiries@foreverstars.org.
More than 40% of England & Wales’ Top 25 Net Zero powerhouses are in the East Midlands
Hinckley & Bosworth (going by boundaries at the next general election) comes fourth out of all constituencies in England and Wales for the productivity of its Net Zero economy, a new report has found.
Businesses in sectors such as renewables, energy storage and sustainable construction make up 12% of the Hinckley economy by the Gross Value Added (GVA) measure of productivity, account for almost 2,000 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs, and represent a value of £258 million.
Analysis by CBI Economics and Data City, commissioned by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), locates more than 40% of England and Wales’ Top 25 Net Zero economy constituencies in the East Midlands region. Mid Leicestershire, South Leicestershire and North West Leicestershire feature in the Top 15 along with Hinckley & Bosworth.
Researchers found Net Zero businesses in the East Midlands produce £5.1 billion (4.6%) of regional GVA, and that they account for 58,500 FTE jobs or 3% of employment in the region – the highest proportion in England.
Nationally, the study shows that Net Zero industry grew by 9% in 2023 and contributes £74 billion to the UK economy (3.8% of the total) – larger than the economy of Wales. It calculates that the 765,700 Full Time Equivalent roles in the green sector are better paid by almost £10,000: the average salary for a Net Zero job being £44,600 compared to the £35,400 UK average.
Midlands green businesses welcomed evidence of the sector’s significant contribution, but called on Government and partners to support the scaling up of their operations and an expansion of training.
“Since becoming an Enterprise Zone in 2012, our tenants have raised $22 billion (£17.38 billion) in VC investment to fund Net Zero transport technology R&D, with our infrastructure playing a key part,” says Tim Nathan of Horiba MIRA about the company’s 850-acre Technology Park off the A5, where he is the MD.
“The challenge for Government is turning that innovation into commercialisation opportunities for the UK. For example, [fuel cell developer and green hydrogen innovator] Ceres have announced their fuel cells will be manufactured with licensing agreements in Europe and Asia. The global marketplace is a competitive one and we have many strengths to shout about; but a lack of coherent industrial policy and investment does hinder UK growth.
“We are about to break ground on a 72,000 square foot building with a confirmed occupier for 50%, taking R&D into product manufacture. This new development has only been possible with investment from our Enterprise Zone retained business rates through Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, and funding from our parent company HORIBA and our joint venture property partner Evans Randall.
“We need continued support to realise our masterplan for a combined 4 million square foot campus from incubation to production, where the employment potential alone could bring over £2 billion into the local economy.“We have an on-site training centre of excellence in the MIRA Technology Institute, alongside our own Skills Academy through which we play a leading role with our Further and Higher Education partners in electrification skills and increasingly in hydrogen fuel cells. Our STEM Ambassadors visit and host local schools to showcase opportunities for purposeful and well-paid employment.
“We are doing all the right things, but we need longer-term Government support and backing to really put Nuneaton on the map as the cleantech capital it has the potential to be.”
Dr Michaela Kendall of Birmingham-based Adelan, developers of microtubular solid oxide fuel cell (mSOFC) technology, warns the Midlands’ success in attracting Foreign Direct Investment in Net Zero industries masks tepid investment by the Government, leading to value being offshored.
Adelan has formed a partnership with Midlands neighbours the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Johnson Matthey and ANT Industries to explore scaling up fuel cell production for battery range extension. Last year, it showcased the capabilities of mSOFC technology to power a train in Rugby.
“The commercialisation of UK innovation in green technology is vital for cultivating a high-growth economy, supporting the creation and preservation of UK supply chain jobs, and advancing high-skilled manufacturing,” Dr Kendall said.
“When we put a hydrogen fuel cell project out, we were inundated by young engineers. No young engineer sees their future in combustion.“We have the two longest-running fuel cell companies in the UK in the Midlands and the national Hydrogen Champion in the Midlands [Jane Toogood at Johnson Matthey]. Why can we not make more jobs for young people in the Midlands, and retain more people coming out of our universities?”
British Business Bank launches Midlands Engine Investment Fund
The British Business Bank has launched its £400m Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, unlocking additional funding to help smaller businesses in Lincolnshire prosper and thrive.
The fund will drive sustainable economic growth by supporting new and growing businesses across the whole of the Midlands, through investment strategies that best meet the needs of these firms. It includes a range of finance options with loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investments up to £5 million to help SMEs start up, scale up, or stay ahead.
British Business Bank CEO Louis Taylor said: “Small businesses are at the heart of The Midlands’ economy. Since launching in 2017, the first Midlands Engine Investment Fund has so far created more than 4,000 jobs across the region by backing 739 smaller businesses.“The first Midlands Engine Investment Fund provided a blueprint for how we can support entrepreneurs and founders, whoever they are and wherever they are in the region, to access the funds and support they need. This new fund will allow us to continue supporting business owners across the Midlands, whether they’re at the start of their journey or are already running an established firm.“Promoting growth by ensuring entrepreneurs can access the finance they need regardless of where and who they are is one of the Bank’s strategic objectives, and vital to unlocking the full potential of the UK’s smaller businesses.”
The Midlands Engine Investment Fund II aims to build on the success of the inaugural Midlands Engine Investment Fund, a £300m fund which has already supported almost 300 smaller businesses in the East and South East Midlands since its launch in 2017. The new fund will help hundreds more businesses to achieve their potential and further increase the supply and diversity of early-stage finance by providing options to firms that might otherwise be unable to secure investment. Funding is designed to help businesses with activities including expansion, product or service innovation, new processes, skills development, and capital equipment.
Three fund managers have been appointed to manage the fund in the East and South East Midlands. First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans will manage the smaller loans part of the fund (£25,000 to £100,000), Maven Capital Partners will be responsible for larger loans (£100,000 to £2 million), and Mercia Ventures will manage equity deals (up to £5 million).
Opening the doors to attracting women into manufacturing
Ashfield company Doorcerts is using this week’s International Women’s Day to encourage girls and young women to look at a future career in manufacturing and construction.
Every year International Women’s Day is held to “celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women” around the world.
Doorcerts, which is based in Stanton Hill, is led by commercial manager Sarah Armson. She wants to encourage more women and girls to get into industry.
Statistics show that women make up around 25 percent of the manufacturing workforce, while in construction, this figure is around just 15 percent.
Sarah, a former apprentice, is a member of Mansfield and Ashfield 2020’s Women In Business group, and completed a Women In Leadership course run by Nottingham Trent University.
She says she admires a number of business women, including Dragons Den star Deborah Meaden, and Carolyn Radford, who is the CEO and co-owner of Mansfield Town Football Club.
She said: “There is simply no reason why women cannot forge careers in the manufacturing and construction industry.
“Things are changing for the better but mindsets are the most important things that need to change. Some women and girls think that manufacturing is a man’s job, while some men do not think women are suited to certain roles.
“In fact, we did not have one female apply for a role as an apprentice. This has to change. The jobs are there, and in the right environment, there is no reason why women cannot flourish and lead careers based on their skills and merit.”
And she added: “That’s why days like International Women’s Day are important. They can be used as a beacon to lead the way.”
Doorcerts, based in Brierley Park Close, manufactures bespoke fire doors, and standard doors, and supplies necessary ironmongery and more, such as door handles or secure entry systems.
Sarah’s colleague Kelly Wheeler started working in the industry at the age of 20, and has spent a career in manufacturing.
She said: “There are many different roles in manufacturing and construction, and the old-fashioned view of a factory should be consigned to history.
“While some attitudes do need to change, there is no reason why women coming into industry cannot succeed by working hard and doing their best. We are already breaking down barriers so now is the time to take up the opportunities.”
Doorcerts is inviting schools and colleges in Nottinghamshire to get in touch to arrange a visit from Sarah Armson, who is experienced at giving talks to young people to try to get them to think about manufacturing as a career option. Any educational setting wanting to have Sarah visit should email Sarah@doorcerts.com.
East Midlands jumps to second in top fraud hot spots
The East Midlands has jumped from 12th to second position in the top hot spots for fraud, according to accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO LLP.
The firm’s annual FraudTrack 2024 report shows that the region is the second most prevalent region for UK reported fraud only behind London & the South East, reporting an increase of over 10,000% in fraud value. Compared to the previous 12 month period, the East Midlands also saw a 90% increase in the number of cases in 2023.
Among the notable cases in the region were a fraudulent investment scheme operated by a Spalding man, a Nottinghamshire-based home improvments scam, and a case brought against a UK car dealer regarding alleged ‘fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation’ in connection with a disputed software contract.
The BDO report showed that the overall value of reported UK fraud increased to £2.3bn in 2023, a 104% increase on 2022 and the second largest annual fraud value recorded by the firm since it first started analysing fraud data in 2003.
However, the true level of fraud is likely to be significantly higher, BDO has warned, as some organisations choose not to report the frauds they suffer. The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales revealed that fewer than one in seven fraud offences are reported to the police.
While the number of high value cases (over £50m) in BDO’s FraudTrack report increased by 60% in 2023, the total number of reported cases also rose, up by 18% to a three-year high.
The factors behind the rise include the large increase in online scams, phishing and system breaches, and huge spikes in Authorised Push Payment (APP) transactions when fraudsters trick the unwary into transferring money to them.
Sannan Khan, Partner and Head of Regional Investigation and Economic Crime Risk Management Services at BDO in the Midlands, said: “We are not surprised by the East Midlands jumping 10 places from 12th to second in the list of most prevalent regions for UK reported fraud. This is consistent with the surge in frauds that our forensic investigations teams are seeing on the ground.
“Many people choose not to report fraud because of shame or embarrassment. Businesses are also reticent about coming forward because of fears around negative publicity, reputational damage, and a lack of faith that the authorities will take action.”
One particularly concerning development is the rise in online fraud factories or cyberfraud centres, with reports of hundreds of thousands of individuals being trafficked to work for crime syndicates. The UN has recently estimated that such fraud factories are generating billions of dollars in revenue.
Looking back at the 10 year trend of data, the report identifies that not only are the number of reported cases of fraud rising but the amounts involved are also getting bigger. BDO has warned that this trend is likely to continue as new fraud-enabling technology and AI present new opportunities for fraudsters.
Khan added: “While we hope the introduction of the Government’s Online Fraud Charter will encourage the technology sector to narrow the opportunities for online fraud, the sad reality is that the fraudsters will be looking to stay one step ahead by exploiting new options like AI.
“The failure to prevent fraud offence and reforms to the identification doctrine introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 should provide in-scope organisations significant incentives to revisit their fraud and wider economic crime risk management frameworks.”
Unit D progressing at pace at Beauchamp Business Park
Construction is underway on Unit D at Beauchamp Business Park, a new commercial development in Kibworth, Leicestershire. The steel frame is complete, with cladding and roofing works now ongoing at the 10,000 sq ft building. Completion is expected in May 2024.
Beauchamp Business Park is being brought forward by Clowes Developments and its team including IMA Architects, TanRo, Millward Consulting Engineers, Gateley’s Legal and Postins Project Services. Philips Sutton and TDBRE have been instructed as agents on the scheme.
A sign of the popularity of the site, the freehold of Unit D has already been acquired by a local company. IMA Architects has worked closely with the purchaser to update the initial plans to make sure they met the requirements of the business. The building will be split into two 5,000 sq ft units, each with their own service yard.
Construction of the first phase of Beauchamp Business Park began in September 2023 and 80% of the units were sold or under offer within two months of being made available for enquiries.
The second phase of Beauchamp Business Park has secured planning consent and will see the creation of two additional terraces and a self-contained detached unit to be used for B1 and B2 use class.
Construction is scheduled to begin in Summer 2024 with completion expected in early 2025. When complete, Beauchamp Business Park will feature a series of freehold and leasehold industrial units ranging from 1,270 sq ft to 10,085 sq ft.
Clowes Developments have retained IMA Architects who are providing all architectural services and acting as Principal Designer on the scheme.
Ben Hall, Director at IMA Architects, adds: “As the initial plans were amended to meet the needs of the occupier, construction work on Unit D has been delayed slightly, so we are pleased to now see the steel frames in place.
“Working closely with occupiers to ensure they get the building that matches their needs is hugely important to us and we are looking forward to delivering the building in the coming months.”
Kevin Webster, Associate Director at Clowes Developments, adds: “Our long-standing relationship with IMA Architects enables a fluid design process from inception to delivery.
“This flexibility provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with end users by tweaking plans to suit their requirements, something we have found useful over the years. We look forward to bringing forward phase two in the next few months and encourage enquiries through our agents TDBRE and Philips Sutton.”
Housebuilder acquires Pleasley site to deliver £90m new home development
A housebuilder has secured a multi-tenure new homes development site at Pleasley Hill, after exchanging contracts on 22-acres of land at Pleasley Hill Farm, Mansfield.
Subject to planning, Avant Homes Central will build 396 of its two-, three- and four-bedroom homes which will have a gross development value of £90m.
The housebuilder will be investing circa £55m to deliver this development, supporting local businesses and communities over a six-to-seven-year period.
The site will form part of a mixed-use development of up to 850 dwellings across a wider area, which will also include retail and commercial space.
Avant Homes Central’s proposed development will deliver 396 new homes covering all price points and a range of tenures, including 40 houses designated affordable housing. The housebuilder’s new homes will also be available for those customers wishing to access the private rented sector (PRS).
Avant Homes Central has also committed to community contributions of around £2.1m towards the provision of local services, education and healthcare.
The housebuilder acquired the site from a private vendor for an undisclosed sum.
Matt Barker, director in charge at Avant Homes Central, said: “Our Pleasley Hill Farm site acquisition represents an exciting opportunity for us to expand our development footprint into Mansfield.
“As a housebuilder, we want to build quality new homes for everyone and this site is an ideal location for us to deliver our range of practically designed, energy efficient homes in a place people want to live.
“We look forward to working with Mansfield District Council and submitting our plans to deliver a new and thriving community within the town.”
Nottingham domestic abuse charity one step closer to safe properties for survivors
£3m plans by Nottingham’s largest domestic abuse organisation, Juno Women’s Aid, to buy its own properties to house survivors have taken a major step forward.
The charity has made offers on nine houses and is viewing several more, so that it can secure 18 homes that it hopes will be ready for women and their children to move into this summer so they can start building new lives.
The progress comes after it received ‘life-changing’ funding of £3,075,000 from Social and Sustainable Capital (SASC), which provides finance for ‘extraordinary’ charities and social enterprises.
Juno has been searching for the safe two and three-bedroom accommodation – which will be available to families for two-year tenancies – across Nottingham city and south Nottinghamshire.
Yasmin Rehman, CEO at Juno Women’s Aid, which has been running its services for 40 years, said the 18 properties will be secured with the first tranche of funding it has received, and is looking to secure additional funding for a further ten properties.
Yasmin said: “Things are moving ahead at pace – we have nine houses under offer and going through conveyancing. This funding marks a huge difference in what we can offer to the women we help. Instead of an emergency, sticking plaster approach, this is a longer-term strategy that will not only save lives but create the opportunities for long-lasting change.
“Being able to move survivors and their families out of a refuge and into one of these properties means they can start to build an independent life, putting down roots and creating safe social networks. They will be able to put their children into local schools and be helped to find work or training courses.”
Juno believes the social investment loan, distributed by SASC’s Social and Sustainable Housing Fund II, can support around 110 women and 220 children during the loan term. It will also benefit families with older male children who are often unable to access other refuge accommodation.
In 2022-2023, Juno worked with 2,726 women, 472 children and young people, fostered 56 pets, and received nearly 16,000 calls on its helpline. It supports 500-600 women and children in Nottingham and south Nottinghamshire at any one time.
Its domestic abuse services include a drop-in service; refuge provision, specialist one-to-one and community outreach support for women, children and young people; justice team support through civil and criminal court proceedings, group work programmes and access to Nottingham College training and education.
Yasmin praised the financial support that Juno’s services receive through the charity’s commissioners at Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and the office of Nottinghamshire’s police and crime commissioner Caroline Henry.
But she admitted these were challenging times for the charity sector in the face of local government financial difficulties.
“It’s a tough time because everybody is stretched and wondering what is going to happen in the coming months,” she said. “In turn, people are coming to us with their own financial pressures. We have women saying they are going to stay in the house with their abuser because they either own the house or the tenancy is in their name and they don’t want that cycle of moving again and again.”
But she added: “We have to remain optimistic and we will find a way through. Buying these properties and developing a housing management arm, that is paid for completely separately from our public sector-funded services, is a game-changer for us.”
Juno also works in partnership with private sector organisations, including The Island Quarter and architects Marchini Curran Associates in Nottingham.
“It would be wonderful if the wider business community could help to support these women in their new homes through donations to us,” said Yasmin. “They could provide supermarket vouchers so they can shop for food or the basic items they need and also in choosing their own furniture when we take them to charities like The Arches.”
She added: “We want to give women and their children some valuable breathing space and support them in their new lives. Domestic abuse, if you experience it, should be an experience in your life – it should not define you for the rest of your life.”
Mark Bickford, CEO of Social and Sustainable Capital, said: “We are delighted to hear that Juno Women’s Aid has made significant progress in terms of using the investment from our SASH fund to purchase properties that will become safe havens for many women and children fleeing domestic abuse and enable them to rebuild their lives.
“Owning these properties will be transformative for the charity – making its model and services more sustainable and enabling it to support many more women and children.”
Lincolnshire IT support firm becomes part of Air IT
Lincolnshire IT support firm SCS is now part of Air IT, the Nottingham-based Managed Service Provider (MSP) for SMEs.
Matthew Stead, Managing Director of SCS, says: “We’ve spent the last 30 years developing and growing SCS into a successful regional business with an enviable local reputation.
“By joining Air IT, we’ll be able to offer additional technical expertise, skillsets and new exciting capabilities, whilst continuing to deliver the highest levels of service to our clients. We are very much looking forward to continuing our journey of growth and establishing Air IT as the IT partner of choice for SMEs in Lincolnshire and beyond.”
James Steventon, CEO at Air IT, said: “I’m delighted to welcome SCS to Air IT. They’re a great addition to our team, sharing a similar approach, culture, and a commitment to delivering exceptional service to clients.
“With a strong focus on our core services including managed IT support and Microsoft technologies, we’re looking forward to combining our joint knowledge, skills and experience to deliver even greater results for our valued clients.”
SCS will be operating from the same premises with the same staff as before.
