70 new houses set for North Wingfield

Tess Egginton
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70 new houses set for North Wingfield
70 new homes are set to be built off Whiteleas Avenue in North Wingfield, following a deal between Rykneld Homes and Countryside Partnerships. On land owned by North East Derbyshire District Council, and formerly consisting of post-war non-traditional housing, Countryside Partnerships will deliver a mix of two- and three-bedroom homes, as well as four-bedroom homes to address the need for larger homes in the area. The new development will include homes for affordable rent along with homes for sale. All 70 homes will be built for North East Derbyshire District Council and managed by Rykneld Homes. The agreement with Countryside Partnerships was facilitated by Efficiency North’s EN:Procure Framework, a not-for-profit consortium serving the construction procurement needs of the social housing landlord community. Using this route enabled Rykneld Homes to work directly with Countryside Partnerships to develop the proposals in collaboration. As well as delivering new homes for the local community, Countryside Partnerships will also provide six apprenticeship places over the course of the build. The development will also deliver a number of improvements to the local area, including upgraded play facilities at Alice’s View and Blacks Lane play areas, £165,000 to fund improved education facilities at North Wingfield Primary and Nursery School and Tupton Hall School, and over £28,000 for the NHS Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Greg Wood, Land and Development Director at Countryside Partnerships South East Midlands, said: “Working in partnership to unlock brownfield sites and create high-quality homes of a mix of tenures where communities can thrive is what we’re all about. “So it’s great to be working with North East Derbyshire District Council and Rykneld Homes on this regeneration project that will provide much-needed new homes for local people, while also contributing to local services.” Cllr Nigel Barker, Leader of the Council with responsibility for Housing, said: “We are looking forward to working with Countryside to further regenerate the area of Whiteleas Avenue, North Wingfield, bringing forward much needed homes for our local communities. “We have listened to our communities who have told us that they want quality affordable homes in the district and this scheme, which includes 48 homes for affordable rent, demonstrates our commitment to do so.”

Logistics supplier expands into Alfreton warehouse facility

Tess Egginton
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Logistics supplier expands into Alfreton warehouse facility
Ascott Transport Limited (ATL), a provider of complete solutions in the logistics and warehousing industry, has expanded into a new warehouse in Alfreton. This addition to the business follows an increase in demand for ATL’s services, which has enabled the company to expand on their existing 1.2 million sq ft warehousing footprint. The new facility comprises of 149,500 sq ft and will operate as a further satellite site which services ATL’s existing client base. The facility will provide high bay warehousing and a centralised location to service all of the UK. As the warehouse is within close proximity of Junction 28 on the M1, the new warehouse has also generated employment opportunities. Pete Ascott, Managing Director of ATL, says: “As a business, we have seen significant demand for our services, and I am delighted that our innovative thinking, matched with our industry leading technology, is helping fuel our ambitions to further grow the business. “The additional warehouse further proves our commitment to invest in expansion and being a Derby based business for over 60 years, it is great to create employment opportunities in the local area.”

PwC Midlands transaction and lead advisory teams deliver £2.1bn of deals

Tess Egginton
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PwC Midlands transaction and lead advisory teams deliver £2.1bn of deals

PwC’s transaction services and lead advisory teams in the Midlands completed 19 deals with a total value in excess of £2bn in FY22/23.

Simon White, deals partner and Midlands private business & private equity leader, at PwC, said: “We have seen a good level of activity over the last 12 months, despite the economic and geopolitical challenges that have been impacting the market.

“ESG, technology and transformation continue to be the focus areas for our clients and the team in the Midlands has a variety of experts able to deliver these services. As we move into the new financial year, activity remains buoyant and we’re seeing green shoots of economic recovery.

“Sectors including technology, healthcare, industrial products, business services and energy & infrastructure were leading in FY22/23 and we expect to see activity continue into FY23/24.”

The TMT sector in particular continued to see high activity levels across both corporate and private equity transactions. Key deals included Uniphore’s acquisition of Red Box Recorders, Node4 investing in Risual and Bowmark Capital investing in Littlefish.

Deals in the industrials and business services sector also remained strong, particularly in the infrastructure services sector where PwC saw a cluster of transactions including H.I.G Capital Partners’ acquisition of CPS Building Services, PEXA’s acquisition of Optima Legal Services and Arcus Infrastructure Partners’ acquisition of Workdry International Group Limited. More recently PwC lead advisory and transactions combined to advise Augean on its acquisition of Future Industrial Services from NorthEdge Capital and advised on another three deals in the waste and circular economy segment.

To support the pipeline of activity, PwC has recently announced further investment into the deals team in the Midlands, with 44 promotions taking place in July, including six directors and two new partner admissions – Rebecca Elnaugh and Sally Graham.

Rebecca Elnaugh, deals partner, joined PwC in 2021 and has specialised in valuations for 15 years. Rebecca focuses on mid-market private equity clients, working with them to enhance value through the design, implementation and valuation of management incentive plans.

Sally Graham, deals partner, joined PwC in 2006 from university and is a specialist in PwC’s Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA). Sally focuses on helping private equity and corporate clients across a range of sectors and deal sizes to maximise and protect value through their M&A transaction pricing mechanisms.

East Midlands care provider opens new home for people with brain injuries thanks to £1.6m funding

Tess Egginton
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East Midlands care provider opens new home for people with brain injuries thanks to £1.6m funding
A specialist care provider for people with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) has opened its third residential home thanks to seven-figure funding from Unity Trust Bank. Lucy Fallon and Paul Constable, who established Ariya Neuro in 2015 to address a national shortage in suitable ABI support, used the £1.6m funding to buy half an acre of land in Chesterfield, Derbyshire to build a bespoke eight-bed property plus two adjoining bungalows. The development, called Elizabeth House, offers living accommodation, a gym and therapy rooms as well as therapeutic outdoor space including accessible gardens, wildlife pond and some chickens. Lucy said: “People with ABI were leading normal lives before they suffered a significant injury, such as an accident or a stroke, and quite often they’re sent home from hospital without support or put into care homes which don’t suit their needs. We offer high quality care and effective rehabilitation to help people get their life back. “It’s important that people are in a nice place while they recover, rather than feeling like they’re in an institution. The combination of an exceptionally kind and therapeutic atmosphere, highly skilled therapists and a conducive environment, ensure people can thrive.” Lucy added: “We approached Unity for funding because they support the healthcare sector and there was a synergy in our value-base. We spoke to Mike Wicks, who is now our relationship manager. He was personable and genuinely interested in what we do and we knew we could work with him.” Michael Wicks, relationship manager at Unity Trust Bank, said: “We support organisations that share our values and Ariya Neuro is a perfect example of this. “The fact that Lucy and Paul have been awarded the highest CQC rating in terms of the care they provide, and the highest IIP rating in terms of how they support their staff, speaks volumes about the passion they have for making a positive difference to people’s lives. “Elizabeth House is an impressive addition to their portfolio and we were delighted to support the project.”

Innovative fitness business expands into West Bridgford

Tess Egginton
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Innovative fitness business expands into West Bridgford

An East Midlands-based provider of innovative fitness classes and complimentary holistic practices has expanded into West Bridgford in a deal brokered by Landa Associates & Savills. 

The Reformer Studio, a self-styled “inner-city holistic retreat for mind, body, and soul” owned and operated by entrepreneur and fitness guru Holly Essuman, specialises in Pilates classes at its studios in Nottingham’s Lace Market, Derby and Loughborough. 

Now, after mining Landa Associates director Sunny Landa’s forensic knowledge of the local market, the company has taken the lease of 10a Gordon Road in the affluent Nottingham suburb of West Bridgford. 

Landa, well-known for completing a string of high-calibre deals in the area, was retained by the client to advise on lease terms and acquisition strategy. 

Luke Epps of Savills in Nottingham acted for the landlord.  

Sunny Landa said: “Working with Luke on this deal was a pleasure and I am delighted for Holly at The Reformer Studio. There are few things in life more important than wellbeing, so it’s great that even more people will be able to benefit from Holly’s expertise now! The business is a true East Midlands success story and I wish the team all the very best.” 

Holly Essuman, founder and owner of The Reformer Studio, said: “Sunny was the first name that came up when we decided the time was right to expand again. We’re over the moon with the location. Locals have been signing up in droves and I’m excited to welcome even more of the good people of West Bridgford to the studio over the coming months.” 

Luke Epps, of Savills, added: “I’d like to extend my congratulations to Holly and thank Sunny for his work in getting this deal across the line swiftly and smoothly with me. My landlord client was delighted with the professionalism shown by all parties. They’re thrilled to welcome The Reformer Studio to Gordon Road and looking forward to watching the company go from strength to strength in its new home.” 

Workwear company fined £400,000 after woman suffers horrific injury

Tess Egginton
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Workwear company fined £400,000 after woman suffers horrific injury
A workwear company has been fined £400,000 after an employee had the skin ripped off the palm of her left hand. Sharon Chaplin, 51, was working an evening shift for Johnsons Textile Services Limited at the company’s site in Burbage, Hinckley on 16 December 2021. The mother of two, from Barwell in Leicestershire, was trying to manually clean a sensor to initiate movement of a conveyor belt, but as she did so, her left hand was drawn into a gap where two conveyor belts met. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Johnsons Textile Services Limited had inadequately guarded machinery, did not have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the machinery that caused the injury and inadequate health and safety management systems in place. Johnsons Textile Services Limited, of Logix Road, Burbage, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). The company was fined £400,000 and was ordered to pay £5,919.63 costs at a hearing at Leicester Magistrates Court on 12 July 2023. After the hearing, HSE inspector Nicholas Moreby said: “This injury was easily preventable by applying known standards of machinery guarding and the risk should have been identified. Employers should make sure they properly assess risk and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery. “The fine imposed on them should underline to all employers that the courts, and HSE, take a failure to follow the regulations extremely seriously. “We will not hesitate to take action against companies which do not do all that they should to keep people safe.” This prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyers Karen Park and Nathan Cook.

Third-party logistics provider signs long-term lease for 163,000 sq ft warehouse

Tess Egginton
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Third-party logistics provider signs long-term lease for 163,000 sq ft warehouse
Delin Property has signed a long-term lease for third-party logistics provider Lloyd Fraser to occupy its 163,000 square-foot crossdock warehouse at an East Midlands logistics and distribution hub. The property, XDock 163, is in Lutterworth’s Magna Park. Duncan Jarvis, head of portfolio management at Delin Property, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lloyd Fraser as a new customer. This is a great outcome for our UK portfolio and underscores the quality and location of this property. “We signed at an attractive rent with Lloyd Fraser utilising the existing racking and fit-out as a plug and play solution, limiting how long the property stood empty after the previous occupier vacated it in the first quarter of this year.” XDock 163 features 22 dock doors and three level access doors. Inside, the property has a 12.5m clear height, with the storage potential for 17,000 pallets, 360-degree circulation for heavy good vehicles and a low 40% site cover. Lambert Smith Hampton and Carter Jonas advised Delin Property.

TC Group completes merger with business advisory and accountancy firm’s Midlands and East regions

Tess Egginton
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TC Group completes merger with business advisory and accountancy firm’s Midlands and East regions
Fortus’ Midlands and East regions are to join business services firm TC Group. It comes as part of the business advisory and accountancy firm’s business reorganisation designed to facilitate a focus on expansion in the North of England and Scotland. TC Group said it was “pleased to announce the completion of a merger with Fortus Midlands and Fortus East with the support of new investor Inflexion Private Equity.”
The transaction continues TC Group’s M&A strategy. Fortus Midlands and Fortus East will now trade as TC Group and will add six new offices to the group in Milton Keynes, Northampton, Peterborough, Leicester, Southampton, and Hertford. “TC Group is delighted to have joined forces with Fortus Midlands and Fortus East,” says TC COO Grant Bartholomew. “They are a trusted and highly respected firm of professionals who go above and beyond to give exceptional services to their clients – an ethos shared by TC Group. As a result, Fortus clients can expect a smooth transition and the continuance of the high-quality services they have come to expect as our two firms merge and move forward as one.”

Carly Liston, managing partner of the East region, says: “We’re delighted to be joining TC Group. It’s a great opportunity for us to share in the depth of knowledge, expertise and structure the group offers to both our clients and team. We have a shared vision for the quality of service we offer our clients, both in accounting and our extensive business-related service lines.”

Stephen Watts, managing partner of the Midlands, adds: “We’re thrilled to announce our merger with TC Group at a time of significant growth and opportunity.

“With the support of TC Group’s strong national and international network, this merger allows local Partners to retain control to better serve our existing clients, expand opportunities for our fantastic people as well as support future M&A growth in some key strategic locations.”

Make your entry now for Architects of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

Tess Egginton
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Make your entry now for Architects of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
On Thursday 28 September, East Midlands Business Link’s prestigious Bricks Awards will return to the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground to celebrate the region’s property and construction industry. The annual event recognises development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. With nominations open until Thursday 31 August, and 10 categories available to enter, take this opportunity to showcase your projects and team, reward their hard work, and boost morale. Amongst this year’s categories is Architects of the Year, which can be entered here. The winner of this award will be the architects who have had the greatest impact on the region, be it in a single development or a series of them. Originality, the ability to rise to a challenge or initiative shown in accomplishing a difficult brief, this award celebrates our architects. Schemes must have been completed over the last 12 months. Last year the award was won by Rayner Davies Architects. Judges indicated that Rayner Davies Architects stood out as the winner because “they are heavily invested in carrying out work in the East Midlands and their work encompasses a diverse range of developments including commercial, retail, nursing homes, and housing. Many of their projects have been challenging, with one of their high profile projects, The Curve, being recognised as an exemplar housing project by RIBA.” Other finalists for the category included Swain Architecture and CPMG Architects. This year’s Architects of the Year award will be sponsored by Blueprint Interiors. Speaking with Business Link, Ben Dawson, Business Development Manager at Blueprint Interiors, said: “We have been involved in the awards since 2019 either as an award nominee or a sponsor. “We continue to be impressed with both the quality of award submissions, but also the event, which attracts the elite of our region’s construction and property professionals. It is therefore the ideal platform to promote our own expertise as workplace consultants and commercial office fit-out specialists.”

Submit your nominations for Architects of the Year here before entries close on Thursday 31 August.

Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region. Other award categories open for entry include: Commercial Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Developer of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Estate Agent, Excellence in Design, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here. The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:

University joins Nuclear AMRC to work on research and skills development

Stuart Pearcey
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University joins Nuclear AMRC to work on research and skills development
The University of Derby has joined the Nuclear AMRC to collaborate on industrial research and skills development for nuclear and other low-carbon sectors. Based at the University of Sheffield, the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult. It collaborates with manufacturing and engineering companies of all sizes to help them innovate and win work in the nuclear supply chain. The University of Derby is taking tier one membership of the Nuclear AMRC, joining major industry players in nuclear new build, manufacturing, engineering services and research. The University joins as the Nuclear AMRC opens its new industrial R&D facility at Infinity Park Derby, which will also provide a new home for the University of Derby’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering. While the Nuclear AMRC’s original facility in South Yorkshire focuses on mechanical manufacturing processes for power plant components, Nuclear AMRC Midlands specialises in emerging technology areas which will deliver the maximum impact for the UK’s nuclear supply chain – including digital engineering, control and instrumentation systems, and additive manufacturing. The factory-scale building includes an open-plan workshop for work on large fabrications and assemblies, plus dedicated laboratories for 3D printing and rapid prototyping, virtual reality and visualisation, and equipment qualification. The centre will act as a regional hub to help Midlands-based manufacturers enter and win work in the nuclear supply chain, and will also engage with local schools and colleges to help encourage young people to consider careers in science and engineering. Around a quarter of the space will form a new base for IISE, with University of Derby researchers moving into dedicated laboratories and workspace in the autumn. Professor Warren Manning, Provost – Research and Innovation at the University of Derby, said: “Collaborating will further strengthen our partnership and enable us to share research and development opportunities, as well as exchange knowledge and expertise, supporting and addressing the local, regional and national skills needs. This is an exciting time for the sector with many opportunities, and we look forward to driving forward innovation together.” Tom Purnell, Business Development Director of the Nuclear AMRC, said: “The Midlands is home to a host of companies and organisations which can play a vital role in meeting the challenges of decarbonisation and energy security. The University of Derby is at the heart of collaboration, innovation and skills development in the region, and it’s a pleasure to formally welcome them to the Nuclear AMRC’s network. “With our shared facility now open for business alongside the Nuclear Skills Academy at Infinity Park, we are perfectly placed to work together to help manufacturers in Derby and beyond to seize the opportunities of the energy transition, and deliver sustainable growth and skilled employment for generations to come.”
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