New laboratories for growing Nottingham CRO see company triple footprint
Contract research organisation (CRO) Cellomatics Biosciences has moved into new purpose-built premises in Nottingham in the wake of rising demand for its bespoke preclinical and early drug discovery phase laboratory services.
The company’s new facilities in Colwick, Nottingham represent a three-fold increase in the company’s footprint, allowing room for further expansion. The purpose-built facility is an independent building covering approximately 5,500 sq ft of space across two levels.
The ground floor is dedicated to laboratory facilities, whilst the first floor provides scientific write-up space, offices, and meeting rooms. The new laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art imaging and analysis equipment and Class ll biological safety cabinets, fridges, freezers, and CO2 incubators.
Employing 15 people, Cellomatics was founded in 2015 and specialises in the development of bespoke bioassays across numerous therapeutic areas including oncology, immuno-oncology, immunology, inflammation and respiratory.
The company has doubled its revenue over the last three years, and is on-track to record further growth, as Cellomatics’ CEO and founder, Dr Shailendra Singh explains: “Drug development is a truly global market and the number of biotechs, pharma companies and academic groups working on the translation of ideas into medicines continues to increase, and as does the funding available to support such projects.
“The changing dynamic of the industry means that companies are increasingly looking to specialist CROs for the expertise they need. Our bespoke service delivers critical data at an early stage through innovative solutions to complex testing requirements – an approach which has cumulated in repeat business and helped us to build a strong reputation in the market.”
“We are delighted to be expanding our footprint in Nottingham,” Shailendra says. “The city sits at the heart of the UK’s thriving preclinical CRO sector in the East Midlands and affords access to talent and expertise from both the local universities and the scientific industry. Our new state-of-the-art facilities provide a collaborative working environment for our valued workforce, and will enable us to accelerate our plans for further recruitment and to attract the very best scientists to Cellomatics.”
Stuart Gibson, finance director at Cellomatics, says: “Cellomatics is well-positioned to double top-line organic revenue over the next two years through expansion into new markets, focusing on new therapeutic areas, developing or acquiring new technologies, and building new service offerings.
“We also plan to partner with strategic investors to further accelerate our growth. As a company, we are committed to developing additional capabilities to enhance the depth of our services within our current specialist sectors, and to expand into other growing sectors.”
Shailendra Singh adds: “Going forward, we will continue to invest in our technical expertise to meet the global demand, and to accelerate the rate of our export business. Indeed, to fulfil our ambitions of delivering exponential growth in revenue and shareholder value across the next few years, we will continue to invest in our scientific capabilities, technologies, and services to support us in delivering and adding value to more client projects.”
Cellomatics Biosciences was recently awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
Delta-Simons acquires Ground Engineering Ltd
Delta-Simons, the Lincoln-headquartered multi-disciplinary environmental and health and safety consultancy division of the Lucion Group, has completed a key strategic acquisition in the East of England.
Peterborough-based Ground Engineering Ltd, which specialises in the provision of site investigation services and geotechnical testing, strengthens Delta-Simons’ Geo-Environmental team, bringing additional site investigation expertise, capability and also enhancing its geographical footprint.
The bolt-on deal, which brings a skilled team of 24 geotechnical engineers, geologists, laboratory technicians and drilling operators to Delta-Simons is the first acquisition since its own integration into fast-growing private equity-backed environmental services company Lucion Group in April 2021.
Ground Engineering has a distinguished history in the sector, tracing its roots back to 1936 when it was founded as Pre-Piling Surveys Ltd, which later became Soils Engineering.
Today, the company offers geotechnical and geo-environmental ground investigation and associated professional services to a wide range of civil engineering, construction, housing, environmental management and financial sectors.
Working mostly in the East of England, London and the South East, the team’s activities are supported by its UKAS ISO 17025 accredited geotechnical and construction materials testing laboratory.
Ground Engineering’s directors Chris Ebeling and Steve Fleming will remain with the business moving forward, supported by the Delta-Simons leadership team.
Chris Ebeling said: “We decided it was the right time to join forces with a larger group of companies to ensure the future sustainability, growth and success of the business. Our team have built a strong reputation for providing high-quality, trusted geotechnical services to our clients.
“When presented with the opportunity to join a progressive group of companies and specialising in similar services, we immediately recognised the synergies and saw it as a fantastic opportunity for our team.”
Alex Ferguson, Managing Director of Delta-Simons, added: “As an ambitious, purpose-driven and client-focused company we are always looking to strengthen our team with the addition of high quality acquisitions.
“We are therefore delighted to bring the Ground Engineering team into Delta-Simons and the wider Lucion Group. They are a great fit for our existing GeOps division, which continues to grow from strength to strength.
“We’ve had a really busy start to 2022 as we continue to scale the group of businesses in line with our strategic growth plan and look forward to making further progress this year with strong organic growth delivered alongside further potential strategic acquisitions.”
James Winterbottom, senior investment director at Palatine, Lucion Group’s private equity investor since 2019, added: “Alongside strong organic growth across the business we have been pleased to support Lucion Group with a number of value-enhancing bolt-on acquisitions over recent months and we look forward to working with the team to further deliver their strategic growth ambitions in the second half of 2022.”
The transaction was supported by business advisers BDO and HSBC.
Dragon Boat spectacular set for Lincoln Brayford Waterfront!
Ringrose Law & LIVES host the annual spectacular Lincoln Dragon Boat Challenge on Saturday 18th June when 21 teams will take to the water, watched by several hundred spectators. This is the first boat race since 2019 and is set to be the biggest and best yet.
Crews will race the thirty foot brightly painted Chinese boats over a 200m course on the Brayford North Waterfront.
The 21 crews representing local businesses and charity organisations across Lincolnshire will be raising money for LIVES on the day. Local teams include Branston, Streets Chartered Accountants, DatCom and Daniel Charles Construction and past winners Belton Construction.
LIVES is a vital Lincolnshire charity who attend 999 medical emergencies across the county, 365 days a year. Whether they are providing rapid first response support on their doorstep, or highly specialised medical interventions to the most seriously ill patients, they all volunteer their time – for free – to save lives and be there when someone is having their worst day. The charity provide the equipment and training for the ever increasing need.
Racing will commence from 11.30am and trophies will be presented by LIVES to the winning crew from around 4pm.
Alex Bennett, marketing manager at Ringrose Law and one of the organisers of the event, said: “We are delighted that so many local companies are supporting this event and through their generosity we hope to raise a significant sum for LIVES. We are sure that crews and spectators alike will enjoy a fantastic day with races every 10/15 minutes throughout the day and plenty of entertainment on the Brayford including a Penalty Shoot Out with Lincoln City Foundation, Face Painting, Active Nation, Party Delights, Gelato Cart, Coffee Trike, Custom Bakes and much more.”
Entrance to the event is free to spectators and parking is available at Lucy Tower Carpark and other public carparks close by.
Swedish corporate group swoops for manufacturer and supplier of signage
Mindelon AB has acquired all the shares in Astley Signs Ltd (Astley), a British manufacturer and supplier of brand-building signage and graphic solutions with a site in Kettering.
Astley offers everything from the production of a graphic profile and design to the installation of both large facade signs and small signs and graphic elements for attracting attention and wayfinding in retail stores and buildings.
Astley has a large customer base of well-known global brand owners for which the company provides both bespoke solutions for unique environments and wider signage programmes for retail chains. The head office is in Gateshead and the company also has units for production and service in Kettering, Leeds and Glasgow.
The company was started back in 1924 under the name H. Astley & Co. and has today about 150 employees and annual sales of around £16 million. As a result of the acquisition, Astley is now an independent company in Mindelon’s Retail Solutions business area headed by Ulrica Lindunger.
“Astley helps its customers to sharpen their profile and build their brands through innovative, eye-catching and effective signage solutions. For many years, the company has had proven operational ability and strong relationships with large global players. Astley will therefore be an exciting and valuable addition to our Retail Solutions business area where we will support the company as it continues its successful journey. It is also exciting that the Mindelon group now has a solid foothold in the British market,” says Fredrik Celsing, president and CEO of Mindelon AB.
The sellers of Astley Signs Ltd are David Redhead, up to now chairman of the Board, Gavin Redhead, Managing Director, and David Forrester, sales director, of whom the latter two will continue their involvement with the company in their respective positions.
Gavin Redhead says: “The transaction secures the future of the company for the next generation and enables it to continue to follow the path of investment, growth, and evolution we have successfully pursued over the last three decades. We look forward to all the opportunities that it will bring for the business.”
Confidential Corporate Finance acted as advisor to Mindelon for the transaction.
“Another year of strong revenue and profit growth” for Gateley
Gateley, the legal and professional services group, has hailed a “strong performance ahead of market expectations” in a trading update for the year ended 30 April 2022.
Revenue has increased to around £137m, up 13% on the prior year (£121.4m), while pre-tax profits have risen 10% to £18m (up from £16.3m).
The year saw three earnings-enhancing acquisitions, Tozer Gallagher in July 2021, Adamson Jones in January 2022 and Smithers Purslow in April 2022, and a new Revolving Credit Facility of £30m was agreed in April 2022, providing increased funding flexibility to support the group’s acquisition strategy.
Rod Waldie, Chief Executive Officer of Gateley, said: “We have delivered another year of strong revenue and profit growth and I am delighted with our overall performance. Our successful return to recruitment generated strong organic revenue growth of over 10%, which, allied to the completion of three exciting acquisitions, is delivering annualised consultancy revenue of over c.£32m.
“I thank our ever-expanding client base for their trust and support throughout FY22 and for giving us the opportunity to work on high quality mandates. We remain committed to our purpose of delivering results that delight our clients, inspire our people and support our communities. We have a strong pipeline of work and leave our financial performance guidance unchanged, despite the inflationary challenges, as we look forward to continuing to grow the group, both organically and via acquisition.”
Council makes designation to create Leicester’s 25th conservation area
A new conservation area around Leicester’s Fosse Recreation Ground and a nationally-listed Victorian church building has been designated by the city council.
Following consultation with residents, the council has designated the new St Paul’s conservation area to protect the neighbourhood’s special architectural and historic interest.
The new conservation area – the 25th to be designated in the city – is centred on the locally-listed Fosse Recreation Ground and is located a little over 1km west of the city centre. It includes the full 11-acres of the tree-lined park with boundaries on Fosse Road North to the east, and Kirby Road and part of King Richards Road to the south.
Among the landmark buildings in the area are the Grade II-listed former St Paul’s Church on Kirby Road, which dates back to 1870; the late-19th century neo-Gothic St Andrew’s Methodist Church on Glenfield Road East; the Estonian House on Fosse Road North; and several fine examples of late-Victorian and Edwardian villas and terraced housing.
The area has a long history, with notable archaeological significance dating back to the Romans. It also offers a well-preserved built history of Leicester’s suburban development over the last 150 years.
The suggestion to designate St Paul’s as a conservation area was originally proposed by local residents and supported by Fosse ward councillors. A consultation with residents and other local property owners carried out in late 2021 gained a 95% approval for the proposal from those responding.
Conservation areas form parts of the city that have buildings, local landmarks or other features of special historic or architectural interest that deserve to be preserved and enhanced. St Paul’s is the first new conservation area to be designated in the city since 2006, when the designation was made for Granby Street – an area currently the focus of investment through the High Street Heritage Action Zone.
Cllr Adam Clarke, deputy city mayor and city council heritage champion, said: “Conservation areas are an important part of our city’s heritage, and the new St Paul’s conservation area is no exception.
“It tells a fascinating chapter in the Story of Leicester, particularly around the development of our suburbs, with many fine buildings remaining. The area also boasts a very attractive park that plays an important part in promoting biodiversity.
“By designating this latest conservation area we can help ensure that another important part of the city can continue to develop while ensuring that its unique character and architectural heritage is protected for future generations.”
A new management plan will now be adopted for the conservation area which will include a range of further projects and interventions.
The city council is also due to extend the nearby West End conservation area to include Dulverton Road and bring in enhanced planning controls – known as Article 4 Directions – to help protect the distinctive character of properties in both areas.
Leicester garment workers inform action plan to improve their lives
A study into the lives and working conditions of Leicester garment workers has identified nine key areas that the sector can improve upon.
Experts from the University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab and De Montfort University were commissioned by the Garment & Textile Workers Trust (G&TWT) to gather insight directly from those who work in the garment industry to inform the purpose and scope of the Trust, which was formed earlier this year.
The researchers have published their findings, along with their recommendations for intervention, in a new report which will inform the Trust’s priorities for the coming year.
The experts have recommended priority areas for major retailers and government agencies to focus on to improve workers’ lives and working conditions – these include:
- Provide a single ‘front door’ contact point for workers wishing to make a complaint to enforcement agencies and offer ongoing support and case management for those who raise issues. Ensure that successful outcomes are communicated to raise levels of confidence.
- Establish trusted support to advocate for workplace rights. This should engage with existing trades union initiatives but should also explore additional options for representation of worker voices, drawing on the experience of organisations that have experience in representing migrant workers.
- Connect workers with sources of community-based legal advice and support, available in a range of community languages. This support should cover immigration, housing and welfare rights in addition to workplace rights.
- Improve access to local educational services for workers and their families, particularly related to further education, and language support for younger children.
- Connect workers with sources of employment support, training, information and advice to enable them to access different types of work.
- Continue to engage closely with employers to create high-quality jobs that are accessible to a wide range of workers (including those with caring responsibilities or limited transport options).
Green light for new low carbon homes in Leicester
Plans for the next phase of an ambitious programme to build hundreds of new council homes in Leicester have been given the green light.
Leicester City Council has appointed developer Robert Woodhead Limited to build 38 new affordable, low carbon and energy efficient homes on the site of the former velodrome off Saffron Lane, to the rear of Hawkins Road.
The £12million scheme help will increase the council’s stock of much needed affordable housing. It will be funded through the council’s housing revenue account and with money raised from the sale of council homes through the government’s Right to Buy scheme.
The city council will also provide land which is currently in use as a small part of the car park at Saffron Lane Athletics Stadium for the new housing development.
The new homes and will include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses, and ten wheelchair-accessible bungalows.
All of the new homes will be built to high environmental standards. This will include solar PV panels, very high levels of wall, floor and roof insulation, triple glazed windows and air source heat pumps. The homes will cut carbon emissions by around 75 per cent compared to a typical new home – equivalent to a carbon saving of around 67 tonnes per year.
All homes would also have a private garden and off-street parking.
Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, assistant city mayor for housing, said: “This ongoing programme of house building is an important part of our wider strategy to prevent homelessness and overcrowding by provide some of the new homes that are so badly needed in the city.
“By building new council houses ourselves, we can focus on areas of particular need, such as wheelchair accessible homes, and play an important role in helping ensure that growing demand for affordable housing is a priority.
“The development will also feature a range of measures to ensure that these new homes are highly energy efficient which will cut their carbon cost and help future tenants save on their energy bills.”
Construction company Robert Woodhead Limited have been appointed as the council’s contractors on the ambitious scheme, following a competitive tendering process.
Michael Broadhurst, head of commercial at Robert Woodhead Limited, said: “We are delighted to be back building for Leicester City Council again, bringing high quality, sustainable homes forward to meet local need. We are looking forward to starting on site this summer.”
Work to build the 38 new homes off Saffron Lane is expected to be complete by Spring 2024.
Leicester City Council is also planning to build an additional 37 environmentally friendly new homes on Lanesborough Road, in Rushey Mead.
The council last year completed construction of 29 new council homes at six sites across the city. These feature roof-mounted solar panels and other energy efficiency measures to help cut carbon emissions and reduce household bills
In total, Leicester City Council is planning to invest up to £50million to create an estimated 350 new council homes across the city over the next few years.
Building more low carbon homes is just one of the actions resulting from the first Leicester Climate Emergency Strategy. The strategy sets out an ambitious vision for how the city needs to change to move towards becoming carbon neutral and adapting to the effects of global heating by 2030, or sooner.
A chance to applaud the region’s property and construction industry – enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
With nominations OPEN for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards, showcase your business, team and projects by submitting an entry for the prestigious event.
Celebrating the region’s property and construction industry, award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 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, and featuring John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker.
After winning an award at the 2021 event, Allan Joyce Architects said: “We are delighted to have won Architects of the Year at the East Midlands Bricks Awards. It is lovely for the whole team, who always work incredibly hard to create amazing designs, to be recognised in this way. It was wonderful to attend the event in person and to hear about all of the great projects happening in our region and the companies involved in them.”
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
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 15 September 2022 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. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
Government must act on business investment to avoid recession
With less than 40 days until parliament goes into recess, the countdown is on for the Prime Minister and Chancellor to take the vital actions needed to spare the country from dipping into recession, according to the latest CBI economic forecast.
With the cost-of-living crunch showing no sign of abating, airports struggling to cope, national rail strikes on the horizon and Groundhog Day battles with the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol, there is real risk that the economy stays a ‘distant second to politics’ this summer.
The CBI’s outlook suggests growth will soften as household spending turns downwards amid dented business and consumer confidence. As a result, the CBI has downgraded its GDP growth outlook significantly, to 3.7% in 2022 (from 5.1% previously) and 1.0% in 2023 (from 3.0% previously).
High inflation is the primary source of weaker growth. CPI inflation reached a 40-year high in April (9%), driven higher by a cocktail of challenges – ranging from supply chain pressures, rising commodity prices and war in Ukraine.
Inflation is expected to remain high into Autumn, rising to another peak in October (8.7%), given a likely rise in Ofgem’s energy price cap. The result is a historic squeeze in household incomes, which will lower consumer spending. This in turn will weaken GDP growth towards the end of this year and into the first half of next year.
Tony Danker, CBI director-general, said: “Let me be clear – we’re expecting the economy to be pretty much stagnant. It won’t take much to tip us into a recession. And even if we don’t, it will feel like one for too many people.
“Times are tough for businesses dealing with rising costs, and for people on lower incomes concerned about paying bills and putting food on the table.
“It’s as clear as day that business investment is one of the few bright spots left in our economy. The Super Deduction is one of the only reasons we have staved off the threat of recession for now – there must be a permanent successor.
“We’ve had weeks of politicking with the country standing on the brink of a summer of gridlock.
“There is only a small window until recess. Inaction this summer would set in stone a stagnant economy in 2023, with recession a very live concern.
“We need to act now to install confidence. This can wait no longer.”
What needs to be done this summer
Build momentum behind business investment ahead of the Autumn Budget:
- Make a full commitment to a permanent successor the super-deduction
- Cut approval times for new offshore wind farms from 4 years to 1 year
Boost confidence in the economy:
- Call for immediate talks to finally resolve the Northern Ireland Protocol impasse and get Brexit done – resist unilateral action with both sides getting on with the job of finding a negotiated outcome
- Act as an honest broker between rail companies and unions to find solutions to avoid a summer of train chaos
- Announce a permanent replacement to the Recovery Loan Scheme to support cashflow
Take immediate steps to alleviate labour and skills shortages:
- Get real on industry concerns over labour shortages – get going on a new shortage occupations list and add sectors with obvious shortages, like aviation, until that review can be completed.
- Add immediate flexibility to the apprenticeship levy for one year allowing all employers in the country to use their levy funds to tackle labour shortages.
Capital spending is set to fall away in the second half of 2023 as the super-deduction ends, which is why the CBI has been calling for a permanent investment incentive to buttress growth into next year.
Meanwhile, the CBI expects a small rise in the unemployment rate – ending 2023 at 4.1% – as weaker economic growth weighs on hiring. Nonetheless, this still marks a relatively tight labour market, with many firms presently carrying vacancies.
Exports continue to underperform compared with our international peers, remaining 10% below their pre-COVID level at the end of 2023.
Rain Newton-Smith, CBI chief economist, said: “This is a tough set of statistics to stomach. War in Ukraine, a global pandemic, continued strains on supply chains – all preceded by Brexit – has proven to be a toxic recipe for UK growth.
“The bottom line is that the outlook for UK exports remains far worse than our worldwide competitors. This has got to change for the better.
“Business and government must work together to seek growth globally. As demand shrinks, competition for revenue increases. UK business must be more confident in identifying new markets and utilising all the tools at their disposal – be it from the private sector or public sector.
“Government also has an integral role to play. Against the backdrop of the rising cost of doing business and continuing supply chain pressures, easing trade flows is in everyone’s interests. It’s not just about lowering non-tariff trade barriers in Europe and signing FTAs.
“Post-Brexit regulatory reforms to support growth, innovation and sustainability can build competitiveness. But divergence for the sake of it could introduce further red tape and friction undermining that mission.
“Moreover, we can and must do more domestically to help our exporters too. Now that R&D allocations are known, let’s get that funding out the door quickly to the Advanced Research and Invention Agency and others.”
