Cronofy secures £15m investment to supercharge growth

Tess Egginton
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Cronofy secures £15m investment to supercharge growth
Cronofy, a Nottingham-based provider of embedded scheduling infrastructure, has secured a £15 million investment from BGF, one of the UK and Ireland’s most active growth capital investors. The funding will support Cronofy’s ongoing expansion and product development as it continues to streamline complex scheduling processes for businesses globally. Founded in Nottingham, Cronofy enables real-time, secure scheduling through its integrated platform, which is used by over 180,000 organisations worldwide. The company’s technology is embedded into business workflows and applications, powering scheduling functionality across sectors including recruitment, healthcare, and professional services. The platform was created by experienced engineers, Adam Bird and Garry Shutler, who recognised that a new architectural approach was needed to unlock embedded scheduling at scale whilst natively respecting security and privacy. Cronofy’s technology has been adopted by major brands such as Indeed, Houzz and Docplanner. Among its global customer base, fintech business Wise has reduced its interview scheduling time from six days to 90 minutes using Cronofy’s platform integrations. The fast growth business will use the funding to enhance its core product offering, expand into new use cases, and accelerate its growth in international markets, particularly in the US where it currently generates over 60% of its revenue. The investment also provides a partial exit for Cronofy’s seed-stage investors, who have supported the company since its inception in 2016. Adam Bird, CEO and co-founder of Cronofy, said: “We were seeking a partner to support the next stage of our growth journey, and BGF offers the experience, flexibility and scale to help us achieve our goals. “Scheduling is a critical but often overlooked business function, and our mission is to simplify it in a secure and privacy-first way for organisations worldwide. We’ve spent the last decade building a platform that integrates seamlessly into the systems our customers already use, saving them time and improving efficiency. “With this investment, we’re poised to accelerate our impact across even more industries and geographies.” Seb Saywood, partner at BGF, added: “Cronofy is a stand-out tech success story that has achieved global recognition in its vertical for having the most reliable embedded scheduling infrastructure. “Its ROI for a range of different customer types and size, including enterprise, is compelling. It has a customer centric, product first growth strategy that has already generated 60% of its sales from the more mature US market. “We look forward to partnering with this impressive management team who have a proven track record in solving problems for customers and scaling tech businesses.” Advisers to Cronofy on the transaction included Shakespeare Martineau (Duncan James, Renee Freeman, Roger Harcourt) and RSM (Martin Brown). Advisers to BGF on the transaction included Browne Jacobson (Mark Hughes, Matt Bolton, Ka Man Shing), Cooper Parry (Sara Thompson, Jack Mcfarlane, Lauren Nutty), Alvarez & Marsal (Ian Birch, Joe Stevenson), RP Advisory (Suzy Smith, Aries Shomalistos) and Scalewise (Tom Glason, Munya Hoto).

Nottingham CEO gets ready to raise £10,000 for Duchenne Dash 2025

Tess Egginton
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Nottingham CEO gets ready to raise £10,000 for Duchenne Dash 2025
The CEO at Nottingham-headquartered Blinds 2go is cycling 300km in 24-hours in a bid to raise an impressive £10,000 for charity. Nick Thomas will be among 160 riders participating in Duchenne UK’s challenging annual cycling event, the Duchenne Dash, covering the 300km distance from London to Paris in under 24-hours to raise a collective £1 million. Duchenne UK is at the forefront of funding world-class research and care for those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a progressive condition primarily affecting young boys which causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Nick said: “DMD is a devastating condition which around 100 boys are born with each year. There is currently no cure, but the research Duchenne UK invest in is dramatically helping to advance treatments for those living with the disease – there are currently more than 500 boys participating in clinical trials which simply didn’t exist a decade ago.” This is Nick’s seventh time competing in the Duchenne Dash, and his colleagues at Blinds 2go are supporting Nick to achieve his fundraising target by 17th May through completing an in-house cycling challenge, in which Blinds 2go will donate £1 for each kilometre the team complete, donating £500 if they achieve the full 300km. Blinds 2go are also a lead sponsor for the event. Nick continued: “I’m honoured to be taking part in such a meaningful event. Last year was a challenge, starting with a 100km ride down to the south coast, then an uncomfortable overnight ferry crossing to the final 200km to Paris, but it was also an incredibly rewarding day and an emotional experience to ride alongside the loved ones of those coping with the challenges of DMD on a daily basis. “This is my 7th Duchenne Dash, so I can talk from some experience – and I’m doing it because, in my view, Duchenne UK is a hugely deserving charity. The money we help raise will make such a difference and I’m grateful to everyone for their support!” To support Nick, visit www.justgiving.com/team/nick-and-barts-duchenne-dash-2025

Nissan to slash 11,000 more jobs and shut seven plants amid global reset

April Lara
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Nissan to slash 11,000 more jobs and shut seven plants amid global reset

Nissan has announced plans to cut 11,000 more jobs and close seven factories worldwide, intensifying a cost-cutting programme driven by falling global demand, rising competition, and weak performance in key markets, including China and the US. The move brings total layoffs over the past year to around 20,000, roughly 15% of the company’s workforce.

The Japanese carmaker has faced sustained pressure from sliding sales in China, where local electric vehicle brands like BYD have surged, and from margin-eroding discounting in the US. Last year’s failed merger talks with Honda and Mitsubishi, which aimed to create a $60 billion global automotive player, further stalled recovery efforts.

Roughly two-thirds of the new redundancies will affect manufacturing roles, with the rest spread across admin, sales, R&D, and contracted staff. Details on which locations will be impacted, including Nissan’s Sunderland facility, which is home to around 6,000 jobs, have not yet been disclosed.

These cuts follow a previous round of 9,000 layoffs announced in November as part of a broader initiative to reduce production capacity by 20% globally. Nissan has also cancelled plans to build a new EV and battery plant in Japan, signalling a pullback on capital investment.

Nissan’s annual financials revealed a loss of ¥ $670 billion ($4.5 billion), with the company citing ongoing uncertainty around US tariffs and rising operational costs. No income forecast was issued for the current year. Despite a slight increase in US retail sales, global demand remains soft. Sales dropped 12% in China and declined across Japan and Europe.

Growth for Wells McFarlane as new asset manager appointed

Tess Egginton
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Growth for Wells McFarlane as new asset manager appointed
The commercial property team at consultancy, Wells McFarlane has grown following the appointment of a new asset manager. Bobby Brown joins the Lutterworth-based firm, bringing almost five years’ commercial agency experience, particularly in retail and leisure properties. As asset manager, Bobby’s responsibilities include agency, rent reviews, lease renewals, dilapidations, property & estate management. “I’m excited to take this next step in my career and learn from the team at Wells McFarlane,” explains Bobby. “The firm has a diverse property portfolio, including a strong reputation in the office and industrial markets. I was keen to develop my knowledge in these sectors so when the role became available, it seemed the right opportunity to explore. “My initial meeting with the Directors was really positive and confirmed my decision that this would be the right role for me. I’m pleased they agreed!” Bobby joins Wells McFarlane on a Degree Apprenticeship, following the completion of his Certificate of Higher Education in Construction Technology from the University College of Estate Management (UCEM). Bobby is now studying for a Real Estate Management degree so part of his role includes day release training at UCEM, with his ultimate aim to achieve MRICS status in 2027. Wells McFarlane’s director, Jason Hercock is mentoring Bobby. Jason said: “Bobby has good knowledge of the Leicestershire commercial property sector but was looking to broaden this to support his studies and ongoing professional development. With the right balance of experience and enthusiasm, he was certainly the standout candidate and has really blended in well with the team. “Bobby’s appointment follows a sustained period of growth for our commercial property division, including new instructions in Solihull, Shrewsbury and Market Harborough, as well adding to our management portfolio with business parks in Walsall and Blaby. We’re confident we now have the right team in place to ensure future success.” A Leicestershire local, Bobby’s interests outside of work include sports, films, playing guitar and travelling. Prior to beginning his role as asset manager, Bobby spent a year visiting South East Asia, New Zealand and South America.

Arc Partnership expands with new professional services and expanded team

Tess Egginton
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Arc Partnership expands with new professional services and expanded team
Arc Partnership has expanded its professional services portfolio, by introducing estates service and development service provision, and appointing a new director to lead the new teams. The strategic move means Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, can now provide the council with end-to-end property lifecycle management, covering everything from pre-construction and design to maintenance, estate management, valuations, development consultancy services and risk management. As part of the expansion, six new team members have joined Arc Partnership, including two new senior development managers, two principal surveyors and two estate surveyors. They will be led by Andrea Hopkins who has also been newly appointed as director of the estates practice. Andrea brings a wealth of experience from Leicestershire County Council, where she led key construction projects and managed the council’s disposal programme as well as overseeing the valuation function. In her new role, Andrea will oversee and develop both service areas.  Commenting on her appointment, Andrea said: “It is a fantastic time to be joining Arc Partnership as they continue to bolster their expertise and offering across the board. “This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop three key services – Estates Practice, Risk Management Services and Development and Disposals through Arc Partnership on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council. “The Estates Practice and Development Services Teams have responsibility for management of Nottinghamshire County Council’s property portfolio, advising on and implementing good estate management practices, risk compliance and adding real value by identifying and implementing development and disposal projects. “Through close collaboration with the council and internal teams, we will drive efficiencies, ensure standards are maintained and identify cost-saving opportunities for Nottinghamshire County Council.” Dan Maher, managing director at Arc Partnership, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Andrea and our two new teams to Arc Partnership. “This expansion allows us to offer a full suite of services across the entire property lifecycle, enhancing the expert support we provide on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, delivering value for money, quality of output and customer excellence, and this latest development further strengthens our ability to do so.”

East Midlands sole traders unaware of looming tax reporting changes

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East Midlands sole traders unaware of looming tax reporting changes
Seven in ten (71%) sole traders in the East Midlands may be unaware of major changes to how they report their income tax, according to new research by IRIS Software Group. With new Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements becoming mandatory from April 2026, many sole traders in the region could be unprepared. MTD for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) will require those earning over £50,000 to maintain digital records and submit quarterly updates using compatible software. This threshold will drop to £30,000 in 2027 and to £20,000 in 2028. The study revealed that a quarter (26%) of sole traders in the region had never heard of MTD, and 16% of those who had heard of it were unaware of what the April 2026 changes entail. Many sole traders in the region admitted they wished they were more informed. The majority raised concerns about a lack of communication from HMRC, while others expected to hear about the changes from their accountants. Only a quarter (24%) of respondents in the region said they felt “very prepared” for the forthcoming requirements. The findings are part of a study of 1,000 sole traders across the UK from IRIS, with 102 panelled in the East Midlands. Mark Chambers, managing director at IRIS Accountancy, said: “These findings highlight an important moment of opportunity for sole traders in the East Midlands. With MTD on the horizon, there’s a chance to modernise financial processes, unlock efficiencies, and gain clearer visibility of income and expenses. “It’s encouraging that some already feel prepared, but many more are yet to realise the benefits that digital tax reporting will bring. “This also presents an opportunity for accountants. The findings point to hundreds of sole traders across the region waiting for a phone call from their accountants on how they can be better prepared. Accountants also have a key role to play in educating their local business community, which can open the door to new business.”

National Grid expands Lincolnshire transmission plans to boost energy capacity

April Lara
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National Grid expands Lincolnshire transmission plans to boost energy capacity

National Grid has outlined new proposals to upgrade electricity transmission infrastructure in Lincolnshire and neighbouring regions. The aim is to support growing energy demands and facilitate the transition to renewable power sources.

The latest proposal involves a 37-mile overhead power line connecting a planned substation at Weston Marsh near Spalding to a grid connection point in eastern Leicestershire. The project is in early development, and some routes would use existing transmission corridors.

This follows an earlier controversial proposal for a separate 87-mile pylon route between Grimsby and Walpole, which has met resistance from local authorities, including Lincolnshire County Council.

In parallel, National Grid is advancing its Eastern Greenlink project series (EGL3, EGL4, and EGL5), designed to bring offshore wind-generated electricity from Scotland to England. These primarily undersea cables would land at Anderby Creek near Skegness, with underground connections extending inland.

EGL5 is planned to terminate at a new converter station near Alford, with two potential sites under consideration: Bilsby or Huttoft. Previous plans for converter and switching stations in Bilsby and a separate underground line have been scrapped.

Each Greenlink cable is expected to transmit enough power to supply approximately two million homes, reflecting a strategic shift from imported fossil fuels to domestic renewable energy.

Public consultations for EGL3–5 are underway, with meetings scheduled this month, and separate consultations for the Weston Marsh pylon line set for June.

Devello Group backs the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

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Devello Group backs the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
Law firm Devello Group has joined the lineup of businesses backing the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, sponsoring the event for a second year. This year supporting the ‘Developer of the Year’ category, Devello Group is a specialist planning and property development practice with offices in Nottingham and Lincoln, founded by experienced lawyers Shruti Trivedi and Iain Hibbert. Their niche law firm helps clients with a wide range of services in the sector, operating with a bespoke, value-led approach that does not use a traditional hourly fee-paying model. Speaking with Business Link, Shruti Trivedi said: “We are delighted to again be supporting the Bricks Awards with other notable local businesses. Last year’s event was invaluable in helping to establish our new company amongst our peers who share our vision of providing outstanding client service in a forward-thinking, innovative manner. “We are looking forward to catching up with our co-sponsors, last year’s winners and this year’s nominees at the 2025 Bricks Awards, to celebrate those within the industry who are making a notable contribution and delivering exceptional results. “We know last year’s winners were delighted to receive this recognition and encourage anyone who has an exceptional project worthy of recognition to apply!” The East Midlands Bricks Awards, which will take place on Thursday 2nd October at Nottingham’s famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, celebrates the successes of property and construction companies in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire.
Iain Hibbert from Devello (second from right) handing over the award for Residential Development of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 to Distinctive Developments
Recognising those behind the changing landscape of the East Midlands, the occasion highlights development projects, businesses, 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. It also toasts the work of architects, agencies, and those behind large schemes. Welcoming almost 150 professionals, nominating a company or project for the awards is a great way to showcase your successes, recognise your team’s efforts, bolster morale, and reach our audience of over 60,000 business readers, while also offering a chance to connect with respected professionals. It’s completely free to enter and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the event.

To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here.

Supporting imagery, video, documents, or links to these, can be sent to bricks@blmgroup.co.uk. Video nomination pitches are also welcome as an alternative or companion to written entries. Categories include: All finalists will have the chance to take home the Overall Winner award, which this year comes with a grand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.

Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.

New for this year, all entrants will also have the opportunity to be featured on our dedicated nominee showcase on the East Midlands Business Link website, providing space for marketing your achievements. Upon submitting a nomination, we will get in touch for any information, imagery, and video nominees would like to be featured on their showcase page. Thanks to our sponsors:                            

To be held at:

With a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remaining, please contact Angie Cooper at a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk to learn more if you are interested in becoming an East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 sponsor.

Doctor Spin will see you now – Marvel’s PR headache dissected: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press For Attention PR

Tess Egginton
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Doctor Spin will see you now – Marvel’s PR headache dissected: by Greg Simpson, founder of Press For Attention PR
Greg Simpson, founder of Press For Attention PR, dissects a PR blunder. They say PR is full of egos. Well…how about an alter-ego?! Meet mine, Doctor Spin! This month, we head to the MCU — not the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the Media Crisis Universe, where billion-dollar brands and Hollywood egos are currently engaging in the most unheroic of smackdowns. Here’s the plot: Justin Baldoni is countersuing Blake Lively (who accused him of sexual harassment), claiming defamation and civil extortion. Then, in a move that can only be described as Deadpool-adjacent, a character called Nicepool appears in Deadpool & Wolverine, allegedly mocking Baldoni. Marvel’s now being subpoenaed to reveal internal communications, and they’re not having it. Ryan Reynolds, of course, plays Deadpool and is married to Lively. Swifties are nervously hovering in the background. Hugh Jackman may get dragged into it too. Doctor Spin’s diagnosis: This is a textbook case of Brand Collateral Damage — when personal legal battles start bleeding into creative IP, blurring the lines between character and creator. Marvel’s plea to the court? “Leave us out of it.” But by the time the character’s on-screen and the internet’s doing side-by-sides, it’s too late. The narrative has mutated. Doctor Spin’s prescription: 1. Don’t let characters speak for you If you’re involved in legal proceedings, anything you release — a film, a tweet, a passive-aggressive cocktail napkin — will be scrutinised. Let your lawyers talk, not your fictional alter egos. 2. Pre-mortem your PR Marvel should’ve run a pre-release risk assessment on that character. If someone in legal or PR had said, “Is this a bad idea given the ongoing lawsuit?” we might not be here. Always assume someone will connect the dots — especially if the dots are married. 3. Third parties? Third rail. Dragging in Taylor Swift? Subpoenaing Hugh Jackman? These side plots only inflate the media oxygen. Every new name becomes a headline. That’s not “narrative control.” That’s a sequel no one greenlit. 4. Own it or ghost it Marvel’s current move — trying to stay quiet and legally separate — may work, if the courts agree. But silence can also look like evasion. If you’re staying out of it, say so early and clearly, before the speculation spreads faster than a mutant gene. Until next time, stay super. Stay strategic. Doctor Spin, signing off. P.S. Think you spotted a PR blunder worth dissecting? Email me, Doctor Spin might make another house call.   A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press For Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. See this column in the May issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.

Pension funds commit billions to private UK assets in industry-backed push

April Lara
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Pension funds commit billions to private UK assets in industry-backed push

Seventeen major UK pension schemes and providers have pledged to allocate at least 10% of their defined contribution (DC) default funds to private markets by 2030, half of which will be earmarked for investments in UK-based assets. This initiative, the Mansion House Accord, is a collaboration between the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA), the Association of British Insurers (ABI), and the City of London Corporation.

The move is expected to mobilise over £50 billion in capital across the next five years, with £25 billion directly targeted at UK investments. This represents a significant potential capital boost for British businesses, particularly those seeking venture capital or growth equity.

The agreement follows an earlier 2024 pledge, the Mansion House Compact, which revealed UK pension funds held just £800 million in unlisted equity, equating to around 0.36% of their total DC default fund holdings. The new targets aim to substantially improve that figure and bring the UK more in line with international peers regarding private market exposure.

The British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is using this momentum to lobby for greater inclusion of venture capital in pension fund portfolios, positioning the asset class as capable of delivering strong long-term returns. The group emphasises that much of the benefit from UK innovation is currently being captured by overseas investors and calls for domestic funds to take a more active role in supporting UK growth sectors, including life sciences, AI, and net-zero technologies.

The government has also signalled continued support for reforming pension regulations to help unlock greater capital flows into British scale-ups.

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