“We continue to be impressed with both the quality of award submissions, but also the event” – Blueprint Interiors takes sponsor spot at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

Tess Egginton
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“We continue to be impressed with both the quality of award submissions, but also the event” – Blueprint Interiors takes sponsor spot at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Blueprint Interiors has joined the sponsor line up for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, backing the Architects of the Year category. 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.” The awards, which will take place on Thursday 28 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrate the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. Nominations are now OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards. To nominate your (or another) business/development for one of our awards, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Award categories include: Nominations end Thursday 31 August. Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – 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 County Cricket Club 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:

First ever East Midlands recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise announced

Tess Egginton
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First ever East Midlands recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise announced
The first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced today (21 April), celebrating the achievements of UK businesses, with 13 awards bestowed on East Midlands companies.

Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake said: “I congratulate the first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, who exemplify the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of British business.

“I wish them every success and commend the invaluable contributions they make to communities both at home and overseas, helping to grow the UK economy.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise was previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The Award programme, now in its 57th year, has awarded over 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965. This year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise are given for outstanding achievement in Innovation, International trade, Sustainable development, and Promoting opportunity (through social mobility). His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year. The recipients from the East Midlands include: Innovation Archaeological Research Services – Bakewell MasterMover – Ashbourne SureScreen Diagnostics – Derby The Alternative Pallet Company t/a PALLITE Group – Wellingborough International trade Blanson – Leicester Brian James Trailers – Daventry Fulkrum Technical Resources – Corby SureScreen Diagnostics – Derby Upperton Pharma Solutions – Nottingham Valour Consultancy – Grantham Viridian International t/a Viridian Nutrition – Daventry Sustainable development Anpario plc – Worksop Trade & DIY Products – Wirksworth   David Campbell, director of SureScreen Diagnostics, a double winner, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been announced as double King’s Awards winners in recognition of what was a huge company-wide effort to develop and manufacture lateral flow tests that helped save lives both in the UK and in countries around the world at the height of the COVID pandemic. “It is a wonderful testament to the hard work across the whole team, but what makes this fitting is that our company has been built on scientific innovation and has always exported a significant volume of our products, so these awards reflect the ethos of SureScreen Diagnostics from the very beginning. “However, they also point to an exciting future. Our work during the pandemic has built a strong platform for our company which promises to help millions of people by giving them the ability to take control of their health and diagnose issues early through fast and reliable testing at home or in clinical settings. “Reducing waiting times for diagnoses is at the heart of improving healthcare. Whether it be workplace testing for drugs and alcohol, home wellness screening or infectious disease testing at the GP, we will be ready to help catch issues early and help prevent them before they arise.” Blanson Managing Director Andy Turner said: “We are delighted that Blanson’s expertise and experience have been recognised by His Majesty The King with this award. For nearly 60 years we have been dedicated to leading the way in developing acrylic products that meet unique challenges in terms of pressure, visual clarity and biocompatibility. This award shows that we are at the top of our field and is a testament to the excellent reputation that British manufacturing holds on the global stage.”

FHP complete Nottingham city centre freehold sale

Tess Egginton
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FHP complete Nottingham city centre freehold sale
FHP, acting on behalf of a private property company, have completed the sale of 6 Angel Row, which sits adjacent to McDonald’s and is fit out as a restaurant trading as Heavenly Desserts. David Hargreaves of FHP confirmed that the property was sold for £585,000. He said: “The Basement, Ground and First Floors are let at £40,000 pa, with 2 floors of vacant accommodation above suitable, subject to planning, for redevelopment to provide 6 student studio apartments or residential accommodation.” Hargreaves confirmed there had been strong interest due to the location and the development potential, with the ultimate buyer a linked party to the current tenant. FHP Property Consultants advised on the property side of the transaction and Niki Guthrie of Edwards Clegg on the legal side.

One of the UK’s most influential women to visit Nottingham for Business Leaders Lectures series

Tess Egginton
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One of the UK’s most influential women to visit Nottingham for Business Leaders Lectures series

Debbie Hewitt MBE, the Football Association’s first female chair and one of the UK’s most influential women, is to visit Nottingham Business School for the second of its Business Leaders Lectures series, in 2023.Debbie will give an overview of her non-executive and executive career in multiple industries, including Visa Europe Limited, Comparethemarket, and fashion retailer White Stuff Limited as she aims to dispel some of the common entrepreneurship myths. She will also cover her executive positions at Marks and Spencer plc as well her time as the first female Managing Director of RAC plc in its 125-year history. Attendees to the event will be able to ask Debbie questions at an open Q&A session. In 2021, British Vogue listed Debbie in the Vogue 25 – their annual list of the UK’s most influential women.Debbie holds an MBA with distinction from Bath University. She was awarded an MBE for services to Business and the Public Sector in the New Year Honours List in 2011. In September 2021, Debbie was awarded Chartered Companion of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (Chartered CCIPD), recognising outstanding and distinguished service to the people profession.

In July 2022 she was awarded the Honorary Degree Doctor of Business Administration by Nottingham Trent University, in recognition of her significant contribution to Business and the Public Sector.

Debbie Hewitt said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at Nottingham Trent University as part of their Business Leaders Lectures series. It’s a privilege to be able to speak to the next generation of business leaders and I’m looking forward to sharing the knowledge and experience that I’ve gained throughout my career, and to hearing their perspectives on how businesses might attract them in the future.”

The Business Leaders Lecture series is part of a programme of events organised by Nottingham Business School, part of Nottingham Trent University, to give students, the wider business community and alumni the opportunity to hear directly from people who lead public and private sector organisations which help shape the world around us.

The events aim to share insights about the lessons leaders have learned while confronting challenges, innovating and driving progress. Executive Dean of NBS, Professor Baback Yazdani, said: “The Business Leaders Lecture series is part of our commitment to ensuring that we combine that academic excellence with a positive impact on the world around us by sharing the lessons leaders have learned while confronting challenges, innovating and driving progress. We are delighted to have Debbie Hewitt to join us for our lecture later this month and share her experiences and insight from a long-spanning successful career in business.“During the pandemic we also added the NBS Business Leaders Podcasts which now has 30 episodes to enjoy as well. This a great bank of leadership knowledge that we bring to the public domain.”

The Business Leaders Lecture with Debbie Hewitt will take place from 5.30pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023 in NTU’s Newton building. The booking deadline is midday on Sunday 23 April 2023. Find out more and reserve your place here.

Sales rise at Dunelm

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Sales rise at Dunelm
Sales are on the rise at Dunelm, the Leicestershire-based homewares retailer. According to a trading update for its third quarter, the 13-week period ended 1 April 2023, total sales of £423m were up 6% compared to the same period last year, following a Winter Sale that “resonated particularly well.” Both Dunelm’s store estate and online offer are seeing strong growth, while new stores opened this year continue to perform ahead of expectations. Investment in digitalising the business is also delivering strong returns, with digital sales making up 36% of total sales in the quarter. The company’s anticipated profit before tax for FY23 remain in line with current market expectations (£185m).

Nick Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are seeing strong momentum in the business as customers continue to appreciate the quality and value across the Dunelm range, despite a challenging trading backdrop. This was apparent through our successful Winter Sale and the positive launch of our new ranges for spring and summer as customers look forward to longer days and outdoor living. 

“As we continue to seize the many opportunities we see, we are investing for the long term and making good progress against our plans, which include the ongoing development and extension of our product ranges, building our customer data platform and optimising our marketing channels. These plans give us good confidence for ongoing success.

“Our core values continue to guide the business and during the quarter we passed the £1m milestone in funds raised for our charity partner, Mind. I am particularly proud of our colleagues’ efforts to support our communities at such an important time.”

Further homes approved for Trent Basin scheme

Tess Egginton
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Further homes approved for Trent Basin scheme
The next wave of homes for the sustainable Trent Basin scheme in Nottingham has been approved by the city council. Blueprint’s plans will see a further 110 dwellings constructed, providing a mix of 58 family houses and 52 maisonettes. Seeking full planning permission, the proposals came as part of a hybrid planning application, alongside an outline application (with all matters reserved) for additional residential development, up to 280 sq m of cafe / food & drink floorspace and a Community Transport Hub.
The scheme will be constructed in a number of phases, similar to the Trent Basin development undertaken to date.

APSS unveils new brochure to showcase its expertise in commercial interior design and fit out

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APSS unveils new brochure to showcase its expertise in commercial interior design and fit out
Lincolnshire-based commercial interior design and fit out company, APSS, has launched a new brochure designed to showcase the company’s expertise and provide clients with a comprehensive overview of its services. The new brochure, which is available to download on the APSS website, highlights the innovative and functional workspaces, from concept and design through to construction and installation. It showcases the company’s unique selling points, including its ability to deliver bespoke solutions that meet the unique needs of its clients on time and in budget. “We are thrilled to launch our new brochure, which provides clients with a comprehensive overview of our services and expertise,” said Sarah Barker, Marketing and PR Co-ordinator for APSS. “The brochure is an essential component of our sales and marketing strategy and demonstrates our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our clients.” The brochure features an updated design and layout, making it easier for clients to understand the many services the company has to offer. It includes case studies of recent projects, demonstrating the company’s ability to deliver high-quality work that exceeds clients’ expectations. “We take pride in creating workspaces that enhance productivity and improve the overall well-being of our clients’ staff,” said Sarah. “Our team of experts is dedicated to creating spaces that are not only functional but also sustainable.” Clients can download the new brochure for free on www.apss.co.uk. The brochure is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn more about APSS’s services and expertise. For more information about APSS’s commercial interior design and fit-out services or to request a consultation, please visit www.apss.co.uk.

Severn Trent prepares to spend more than £300,000 on water network upgrade for Hinckley

Stuart Pearcey
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Severn Trent prepares to spend more than £300,000 on water network upgrade for Hinckley
On Monday next week Severn Trent will start work on a £309,890 upgrade to the water network in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The programme will see the replacement of 835m of water pipes around the Castle Street and Mount Road areas of the town. These works will make sure the local network is more resilient to issues which can impact customer supply, such as bursts and leaks. This work is part of Severn Trent’s investment in the area, which also includes £15m which will be spent on creating a brand-new wetland. Part of Severn Trent’s Great Big Nature Boost initiative, the wetland will help to maintain levels of flow all year round and improve the water quality within Sketchley Brook, improving the habitat for local wildlife. Lisa Orme, Community Communications Officer at Severn Trent, said: “We are undertaking this project to replace old pipes with new, upgrading the system and ensure a reliable water supply both now and into the future. “We understand that roadworks can be inconvenient but are necessary to make sure that we can complete this work as quickly and safely as possible. I’d like to thank everyone in advance for their patience while we make this really important upgrade.” The works are expected to be completed by early September. Due to the locations of the pipes to be replaced and for the safety of the workforce and other road users, some traffic management will be in place throughout the works. Access to schools and businesses will be maintained at all times. Access to the hospital, homes, shops and businesses will be maintained throughout the works.

Wates Group gears up for Phase Two of Derby Market Hall refurb

Stuart Pearcey
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Wates Group gears up for Phase Two of Derby Market Hall refurb
Work has started on the second phase of a multi-million-pound project to breathe new life into Derby’s historic Market Hall, and will continue until the end of next year. Having restored the Grade II-listed building’s roof, Wates Group is now turning its attention to making internal and external improvements. Once completed, the revamped Market Hall aims to become a vibrant retail and leisure destination, providing a link between the Derbion shopping centre and the St Peter’s Quarter and Cathedral Quarter areas, as well as the Becketwell regeneration scheme. Wates is working in collaboration with Derby City Council on the project, supported by specialists, including Lathams Architects and structural engineers Rodgers Leask. Lisa Cunningham, pre-construction director at Wates, said: “The Market Hall will play a vital role in creating a thriving cultural heart in Derby and we’re pleased to support this project to restore and transform such a unique building. With the roof restoration completed, this next phase will begin to show substantial improvements to the interiors and strengthen the exteriors to ensure the building has a long life.” An important part of the next phase of work is to develop the public space at Osnabruck Square, a key entrance to the Victorian building, as well as reinstating the north entrance. Lisa said: “This next phase will see further external work, including re-instating the two original northern entrances to the Market Hall, which will replace the current single entrance and allow a direct line of sight through the Guildhall colonnade. “As well as making the building more inviting and accessible, this will also avoid any potential bottlenecks from increased footfall. “Elsewhere on the building exterior, we will work to widen external escape doors, strip and renew the metal roof to its 1980s extension and replace the brickwork to the southern elevation arrangement with fully glazed window openings to create an active frontage with greater visibility.” According to Wates, the Guildhall Yard will also be enhanced, with the entire courtyard re-paved following the demolition of an existing 1980s stair and lift tower. Internally, works will focus on a new flexible market hall space, featuring free-standing mobile stalls to create an accessible space for events and activities such as food and music festivals. To accommodate the food and drink offer, the balcony will have a bottle bar and an emphasis will be placed on street food but with the flexibility to adapt to future trends. Further work in this phase includes refurbishments made to the first-floor shops, new durable flooring, improved back-of-house storage, improvements to fire safety, and new toilet facilities. A key feature will be a new grand central staircase to the north of the Market Hall, replacing an existing stairwell. Lisa said: “This grand staircase will reflect the position and form of the original 1864 stair, connecting to the balcony in a contemporary, light and inviting route. “It will feature a glass balustrade designed to contrast with, yet complement, the historic metal balustrade across the balcony.” The designs also include sustainable focused upgrades such as on-site energy generation through solar thermal and PV panels, battery storage, combined heat and power, and disposal of food waste through anaerobic digestion.

Don’t rely on the Board to make your company more sustainable, new DMU research finds

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Don’t rely on the Board to make your company more sustainable, new DMU research finds
Companies who set up dedicated sustainability committees are more likely to achieve environmental goals than those which rely on a CEO and board members, according to new research. Academics analysed data from 44,996 firms across 61 countries to see how much they were investing in their companies and how many of them reported publicly on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) work. They found that the more firms invested in running the company, the less likely they were to publicly report on CSR social and environmental activities. However, those with a dedicated CSR committee were more effective than those whose CSR activities – which can include its equality and diversity work, environmental and public engagement – were governed by a CEO and board. Dr Ali Meftah Gerged, senior lecturer in accounting and finance at DMU, said the research team’s interest was sparked by the huge rise in different types of socially responsible investing, and the apparent switch from corporations talking about revenues to stressing their environmental credentials. “Our findings suggest that board monitoring mechanisms may focus more on financial performance than non-financial initiatives, as directors may feel shareholder pressure more than stakeholder pressure,” he said. “Board structure has a limited effect on encouraging investing firms to engage with CSR transparency practices. CSR committees appear to convince investing firms of the benefits of issuing a CSR report and the credibility of the disclosed CSR report with third-party assurance. “These committees might shape the CSR agenda of their firm and help the board maintain a more balanced decision-making process by aligning the interests of both shareholders and stakeholders. “Our empirical evidence suggests that if investing firms consider CSR initiatives and reporting as solely costly and ignore their benefits, the presence of a CSR committee could both represent and present a more expert and experienced view that may highlight the advantages of these CSR initiatives.” The team used publicly available company data to measure key investments firms made – sales growth, R&D intensity and sum of the growth of both tangible assets (like buildings and inventory) and intangible assets, such as customer lists and brand awareness. They then looked at the firms’ CSR reporting and structure. The report adds that too many companies are still seeing corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a cost to the firm rather than promoting other benefits. However, anecdotal evidence from consumers shows that people want to buy from companies who they perceive as transparent and accountable.
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