Views to be sought on future of County Hall in West Bridgford
Eurocell appoints new director to spearhead people first strategy
The home improvement specialist, Eurocell, has appointed Cat Hambleton-Gray as its People Director to drive forward the company’s People First strategy.
Cat joins Eurocell with 27 years of experience in people and HR roles across several businesses, including retail, hospitality & the veterinary industry. She has led a number of long-term strategic cultural changes, employee engagement, talent management and wellbeing projects.
She joins Eurocell as it embarks on a new vision for its people strategy, with four pillars at its core. These are talent development, employee value proposition, engagement and health and safety.
Headquartered in Alfreton, Derbyshire, Eurocell has more than 200 trade branches and employs more than 2,000 people in the UK.
Cat Hambleton-Gray, People Director at Eurocell, said: “Employee engagement is critical to Eurocell and embedding our new purpose and values will be key this year. We will review our engagement cycle and be considering how we can enhance this and especially how we can be ‘always listening’ to our colleagues’ views and ideas.
“Another key focus area will be wellbeing. We already offer a number of brilliant wellbeing benefits and our intention is to create a full wellbeing strategy which is relevant for our colleagues and will increase awareness and understanding of all elements of wellbeing. This in turn will support our colleagues to build resilience and be a support network for each other.”
Darren Waters, CEO at Eurocell, added: “Cat’s wealth of experience in learning & development and HR roles makes her a great strategic leader for Eurocell. People First is a key part of our future Eurocell strategy and Cat’s approach perfectly complements our vision of a workplace where employees thrive and contribute meaningfully.”
The Furniture Makers’ Company welcomes Nottinghamshire upholstery manufacturer as corporate member
Long-established upholstery manufacturer Whitemeadow Furniture is the latest business to join the ranks of The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, as a corporate member.
With its origins dating back to the 1980s, Whitemeadow is one of the UK’s largest independent upholstery manufacturers, using the latest technology and skilled craftspeople to stay at the forefront of the sector.
Headquartered in Sutton in Ashfield, it has four sites in Nottinghamshire, providing 350,000 sq ft of manufacturing space. With a 560-strong team, the company supplies the majority of high street names and independent retailers with its 100% British designed and made upholstery.
Over the last few years, Whitemeadow has continued to support The Furniture Makers’ Company’s charitable activities and industry events despite having let its corporate membership lapse in the midst of the Covid disruption. It is now keen to once again play an active role in the future of the industry.
Chief finance officer of Whitemeadow Furniture, Michael Clarridge, said: “The Furniture Makers’ Company is at the heart of the industry, and we believe that it is vital to be part of it. As well as feeling that it is right to be represented, we are committed to contributing to the sector’s continued success.
“There are also sound business reasons for corporate membership, such as raising awareness of Whitemeadow and shoring up our own CSR activities. From an HR perspective, it gives us the opportunity to be at the forefront of industry initiatives to support young talent and, as a major employer, we have also seen first-hand the positive impact the organisation has had on the lives of some of our team.”
Whitemeadow Furniture will be formally welcomed as a corporate member at an admission ceremony in June at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London. Andrew Kitchen, chief executive officer, Michael Clarridge, chief finance officer, and Sarah-Jane Hutchinson, head of group human resources, will be admitted as corporate liverymen and personally welcomed by the Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company.
Amanda Waring, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “Whitemeadow is one of our long-time supporters and we are pleased to welcome them back. After a few tough years for the furniture industry, along with many others, it’s pleasing to see firms once again keen to re-establish themselves and play a proactive part in the sector’s continued success.”
Corporate membership provides opportunities for businesses from the trade to support the Company’s charitable activities, get involved with civic events and network with other members.
Redistribution of thousands of items by Cawarden empowers the Nightlife Outreach charity to achieve its mission
Timms Solicitors expands Care team
Work to redevelop sheltered housing complex gains approval
Competing Wincanton bidder revealed
Wincanton has revealed that it has been approached by GXO Logistics, as it considers a possible offer for the company.
It comes after it was announced that a competing bidder had come forward for the supply chain solutions firm, to rival Ashby de la Zouch-based CEVA Logistics’ bid. CEVA Logistics has upped its offer for Wincanton, valuing the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Wincanton at approximately £604.7 million on a fully diluted basis and valuing Wincanton at approximately £802.7 million on an enterprise value basis. The new bid represents an increase of approximately 6.67 per cent on the original offer. In a statement to the London Stock Exchange Wincanton said: “Although GXO has indicated that it is considering making a proposal for a cash offer, as of the date of this announcement, it has not provided the Board of Wincanton with any formal proposal relating to a possible offer, including as to terms or price. “If any such proposal is provided by GXO the Board of Wincanton will carefully consider its terms, in conjunction with its advisers.“There can be no certainty that an offer by GXO will be made for the Company, nor as to the terms on which any offer might be made. Accordingly, shareholders are advised to take no action at this time with regard to the approach by GXO.
“The Wincanton Directors continue to recommend unanimously to Wincanton shareholders the increased and final cash offer by CEVA Logistics UK Rose Limited.
“That recommendation has not been withdrawn, qualified or modified.”
East Midlands Chamber and East Midlands Freeport sign strategic partnership to unlock potential for ‘once-in-a-generation’ economic opportunity
Two economic heavyweights in the East Midlands have joined forces to help make the region an enticing destination for overseas investors.
East Midlands Chamber and East Midlands Freeport have entered into a strategic partnership agreement that aims to maximise the economic potential of having the UK’s only inland freeport located in the region.
The freeport provides tax and customs benefits to businesses that locate themselves across three tax sites in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire with the goal of attracting foreign direct investment that will create jobs and boost skills in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, automotive and logistics. The ability to retain business rates will also help drive economic regeneration across the region.
The partnership will involve co-ordinated activity between the organisations on inward investment, harnessing the Chamber’s relationships with local MPs and Government decision-makers. The Chamber will also support the freeport to identify businesses that could become customs site operators. Any business that operates in the Freeport’s 45km diameter enclosed zone, centred on East Midlands Airport can apply to become a customs site operator to receive a number of VAT and Duty benefits.
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “The Chamber is the only organisation that has a territory to match that of East Midlands Freeport so we are delighted to be playing a key role in unlocking the potential of a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our region.
“We were one of the biggest supporters during the freeport’s formation, having called for a free trade zone around East Midlands Airport to maximise the potential of having the UK’s busiest pure freight airport on our doorstep as far back as 2018 in our Business Manifesto for Growth.
“It’s exciting to see the freeport now fully operational, and this strategic partnership is a major milestone in getting the word out to both businesses in our region who can benefit as customs site operators and to those overseas about why the East Midlands is a great place to invest and do business.”
Over a 30-year period the freeport expects to add £9bn to the East Midlands economy and create tens of thousands of jobs while retaining £1bn of business rates to be spent locally. Since receiving formal Government approval in March last year, it has already attracted £150m of investment and created 300 jobs.
Space Park Leicester was confirmed as the first customs site operator, while its three tax sites are located at East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster (EMAGIC), East Midlands Intermodal Park (EMIP) and the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station redevelopment site.
East Midlands Freeport Chief Executive Tom Newman-Taylor said: “We’re very pleased to be able to announce our strategic partnership with East Midlands Chamber. The Chamber will perform a vital supporting role for the Freeport by helping to identify and contact businesses who will benefit from the customs reliefs we can provide, lend us their investment expertise and help to raise our profile with their 4,000 members.”
Planning decision gives green light to new apartments in Burton
Home staging firm secures £250,000 funding package
A home staging firm based in Melbourne, Derbyshire, has secured £250,000 backing from MEIF Maven Debt Finance.
Lemon and Lime Interiors was launched in 2015 and specialises in transforming high-end properties, doing everything necessary to prepare them for sale.
With growth ambitions across staffing, marketing and service offering, the team have since appointed two new senior staff members in finance and marketing with further sales and operational roles and serviced locations to come.
With UK mortgage rates predicted to drop and house prices starting to soften, more buyers are expected to be active on the property market. However, prices still remain high relative to earnings, and therefore, in order to sell, staging is expected to be in higher demand during 2024.
With expanding services and premium agent partnerships, Lemon & Lime has supported more than 850 occupied and vacant home stagings, achieving sales up to four times faster than comparable properties – often above the asking price.
Elaine Penhaul, founder and director of Lemon and Lime Interiors, said: “The core mission of our business is to ensure speedier transactions and higher prices for property owners, developers and estate agents. We’re focused on creating waves in the industry in order to change outdated and unhelpful marketing tactics currently overused in the property sector.” Richard Brighty, investment manager at Maven, said: “Lemon and Lime is an innovative and award-winning team servicing the Midlands and beyond. It has a unique market proposition and is the perfect example of the type of ambitious and forward-thinking company we aim to support. “Elaine is a very accomplished leader and inspirational to her staff and customers, it has been a privilege to work together as we mark our 100th new customer milestone.“Maven Capital Partners are proud to have successfully delivered the MEIF East Midlands debt fund since 2018, supporting 100 SME businesses with growth capital, investing over £45 million and creating over 650 jobs across the region.”
