Finch welcomes new consultant

Tess Egginton
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Finch welcomes new consultant
Leicestershire-based health and safety risk management experts, Finch Consulting, have appointed accomplished engineer surveyor Paul Cullinan. With over 24 years of experience as a highly trained aerospace engineer with the Royal Air Force, Paul brings extensive expertise in testing, inspecting, and certifying mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, gas turbine, electrical, avionic, and armament systems. His professional background includes thorough examinations under LOLER, PUWER, and Working at Height regulations, as well as inspections of lift installations, lifting equipment, crane machinery, and suspended access equipment. Paul has also held roles as a lecturer at the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering and as a team leader at the Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron (JARTS), supporting the Aircraft Accident and Investigation Branch (AAIB) in investigating and recovering aircraft incidents worldwide. Additionally, he worked with Airbus as a Pt145 production planner, streamlining maintenance practices and enhancing fleet resource planning. In his new role as a consultant at Finch, Paul will utilize his expertise in aeronautical systems engineering, thorough inspections, and risk assessments to support Finch’s diverse client portfolio and enhance the company’s service offerings. Paul said: “I am excited to be starting at Finch Consulting and am hoping that my skills, experience, and understanding of a variety of challenges within engineering will be tested and that I will become an asset for this great company. “I look forward to developing myself personally with chartership and complementing the already amazing work completed by my new colleagues here at Finch.” Dom Barraclough, managing director, added: “Paul’s extensive experience in aerospace engineering and his proactive approach to safety and compliance significantly strengthen our team. His expertise will be invaluable in enhancing our services, and we are confident he will play a pivotal role in supporting our clients and driving new opportunities.”

Platform’s 200 mile charity ride raises £10,000 for NSPCC

Tess Egginton
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Platform’s 200 mile charity ride raises £10,000 for NSPCC
Colleagues from Platform Housing Group have saddled up for the NSPCC, raising £10,000 for the children’s charity. Four key partner organisations each committed £1,000 in sponsorship to support the charity bike ride. The two day ride saw Platform colleagues cycle 200 miles – throughout Worcestershire and Shropshire – to raise funds for the charity. The event was part of the Group’s ongoing commitment to supporting the NSPCC as its corporate charity partner. The official main kit sponsors were Hardyman, Equans, Sunfish Services, and Browne Jacobson LLP. All of them were featured on the riders’ jerseys and helped to drive both awareness and fundraising for the challenge. Gerraint Oakley, chief growth and development officer at Platform Housing Group and one of the riders, said: “We are over the moon to have raised such a significant amount of money for our corporate charity. “It is testimony to both the generosity of our corporate sponsors as well as the dedication of the individuals who took part. The two cycling days were blisteringly hot but the fabulous figure of £10,000 has made it truly worthwhile! Thank you to all those who were involved in making it such a success.” Gratton Construction and Hickman Associates also each pledged £500. Trust Ford was also a sponsor. The NSPCC is Platform’s official corporate charity for 2025/2026; since the announcement on 1 April 2025, colleagues have been rallying together to raise funds through a variety of creative and challenging activities. Anita Hill, corporate partnerships manager at NSPCC, said: “We are really humbled with the announcement that colleagues from Platform have raised such a fantastic amount through its bike ride. It is organisations like Platform that really make a difference to charities like the NSPCC; we are truly grateful. Working together we will help keep children safe.” The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) has been fighting for every childhood and to prevent child abuse since 1884. Their mission is to protect children, prevent abuse, and support those who need it most.

Light Science Technologies wins £500,000 in contracts

April Lara
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Light Science Technologies wins £500,000 in contracts

Light Science Technologies Holdings PLC has secured three contracts worth a total of £500,000 through its Contract Electronics Manufacturing division, which includes UK Circuits and Electronics Solutions.

The largest contract, approximately £300,000, comes from a new Swedish client operating in electronic signage for the transport sector. It involves upgraded lighting circuitry for a major UK transport network, with deliveries scheduled to start in October and continue into the next financial year. The agreement could lead to additional follow-on revenue.

Two re-tendered contracts from existing clients will also commence this financial year, with completion expected by October 2026.

These new contracts increase the division’s forward order book to over £2.5 million.

200,000 sq ft industrial redevelopment completed in Corby

Tess Egginton
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200,000 sq ft industrial redevelopment completed in Corby
Hortons has completed more than 200,000 sq ft of warehouse/logistics space at Saxon Park in Corby. The scheme comprises two new units, Saxon 79 at 78,500 sq ft and Saxon 129 at 129,300 sq ft, created through the full redevelopment of a single, vacant warehouse. Located off Saxon Way West, within the UK’s logistics ‘Golden Triangle’, the new units have been refurbished with a strong focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. Saxon 79 and Saxon 129 are EPC A+ rated and incorporate energy-efficient features such as LED lighting, photovoltaic roof panels and electric vehicle charging points. A third new unit, known as Saxon 68, is currently under construction and will deliver 68,250 sq ft of Grade A accommodation when complete in Q4 2025. The new developments follow Hortons’ refurbishment of Saxon 58, a 58,350 sq ft warehouse unit at Saxon Park, which was let to Russell & Bromley. James Slater of Hortons said: “This redevelopment represents a significant investment in Saxon Park and forms part of our wider commitment to deliver high quality, sustainable industrial space across the Midlands. Saxon 79 and Saxon 129 provide Grade A accommodation in a highly sought after logistics location that has been designed to meet modern occupier requirements.” DTRE and TDB Real Estate are acting as joint letting agents.

Large supermarkets face cost pressures from business rates changes

April Lara
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Large supermarkets face cost pressures from business rates changes

The UK government’s planned increase in business rates for high-value properties will put significant financial pressure on major supermarket chains. Stores with rateable values above £500,000 are most exposed, creating potential losses across large-format estates.

Sainsbury’s and Tesco are expected to absorb the impact more easily due to previous strong profits, though multiple stores in both portfolios could see margins shrink. Morrisons and Asda face broader exposure, with a substantial proportion of stores likely to experience higher property costs. Discount grocers such as Aldi and Lidl are mostly unaffected because of smaller property footprints.

Industry analysts predict the changes may influence store operations, investment decisions, and expansion strategies, while potentially shifting competitive advantage toward smaller retailers and convenience formats. Property specialists highlight that the reform could reshape location strategies for large chains and prompt efficiency reviews to offset rising overheads.

The Treasury describes the adjustments as part of a wider plan to reduce rates for smaller retailers and hospitality outlets while maintaining long-term investment incentives for the high street.

Last chance to enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 – nominations close TODAY

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Last chance to enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 – nominations close TODAY
With nominations closing TODAY (Friday 15th August) for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, this is your last chance to shine a light on property and construction businesses, professionals, and projects in our region! An opportunity to reward your team, boost morale, and showcase your successes, the Bricks celebrate the outstanding work of those shaping the landscape of the East Midlands, recognising developments and people in commercial and public building across the region – from offices, industrial and residential, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. We also highlight the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes. A glittering awards ceremony revealing winners will take place on Thursday 2nd October (4:30pm – 7:30pm) in the Derek Randall Suite at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, also offering the perfect forum to forge new contacts with property and construction leaders from across the region. The 10th annual event will additionally feature Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, as keynote speaker. Nominations for the awards close TODAY. It’s completely free to enter and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the awards ceremony.

To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here, or on the category headings below.

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. Adrian Grocock, Group Managing Director at last year’s Commercial Development of the Year winner, G F Tomlinson, said: “It’s a fantastic awards event that we enjoy being part of and have had previous success, including winning the Commercial Development of the Year for the Air and Space Institute in Newark last year and receiving the accolade of Overall Winner from all the categories a few years previous. The East Midlands Bricks Awards brings together hard-working individuals and colleagues to celebrate all that is good in the local construction industry, and we are proud to have been recognised amongst our peers for our work in the region. We congratulate the Bricks team on the 10th year anniversary of the awards.”
Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, click here to secure yours. Connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. 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.

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:                                                                                          

To be held at:

 

New ownership for Matlock environmental engineering consultancy

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New ownership for Matlock environmental engineering consultancy
Merebrook Consulting is moving forward as an independent environmental engineering consultancy following its disinvestment from IDOM Group. Established in 1997 and based in Matlock, Derbyshire, Merebrook operates mainly in the construction industry. It provides consultancy in the fields of air quality and odour, asbestos in the ground, civil engineering, contaminated land, environmental compliance, geotechnical engineering, health and safety, and materials management and waste. The company was acquired by Bilbao-based IDOM Group in 2008, but its future will be with M&L Holdings following a transaction led by Matthew Sibley, KBS Corporate Associate Director. M&L Holdings is a portfolio of businesses within the construction, building products and associated industries headed by Mark Lavender, who brings over 30 years of leadership, management, sales and commercial expertise across B2B environments. Mark was attracted by the type of opportunity Merebrook presented and explained: “The initial appeal was that this was a corporate disinvestment from IDOM, of which I’m familiar due to my corporate background. “Soon after negotiations and meeting the Merebrook team, it was evident this business had a solid foundation based on its people, its technical reputation in the market and a strong focus on customer service. “It was very evident that Merebrook would be an excellent platform to build a multi-disciplined environmental and engineering consultancy business to serve the construction and built environment industries.” In announcing its new ownership, Merebrook said the change means it will “have more freedom to expand the services we offer, while keeping our focus on what matters most to us: reliability, technical expertise and a balanced, practical approach.” The statement added: “A big thank you to IDOM for their support during our time together. We wish them every success for the future. Rob Glavin will continue to lead the team as Managing Director, bringing knowledge and excellent leadership to guide us through this exciting new phase.” Rob Glavin, who will also own a small fraction of the company, said: “We will miss our former colleagues at IDOM and thank them for their support and friendship. “Under our new ownership, we will strive to offer ongoing high-quality consultancy support, enhance our client relationships and to forge a first-class and supportive working environment. “This marks a return for Merebrook Consulting as an independent consultancy and we are excited for the future.” For KBS Corporate’s Matthew Sibley, this was a transaction which presented a different experience given its cross-border nature, negotiating with a Spanish-based group. “It’s great to work with an international client and fulfil an uncommon transaction with a global company exiting a company from its own group,” said Matthew. “This broadened my experience while also using tried and tested valuation principles to achieve a successful outcome.” Matthew gave credit to Emmanuella Tologiwa, KBS Corporate Transaction Support Executive, for being instrumental in the Due Diligence process, and to Rachel Bailey of K3 Law.

Giltbrook development land acquired for industrial units

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Giltbrook development land acquired for industrial units
Broxtowe Borough Council has acquired over an acre of land in Giltbrook, with plans to create industrial units. Work on the designs for nine new light industrial units is underway, and planning permission is being sought for Autumn 2025. Units will range in size from 850 to 2,100 square feet on the site close to IKEA in Giltbrook. Prior to securing the land from Peter James Homes, work had been carried out to divert sewage, ensuring work can begin on site as soon as possible. These plans follow the start of works on a further five industrial units at a site close to the new Visitor Centre at Bennerley Viaduct earlier this month. Portfolio holder for asset management and development, councillor Milan Radulovic MBE said: “New businesses and growth are vital to areas like Kimberley, who have seen large scale job losses in traditional industries. “This is part of our revised plan for job creation in the area, showing that we are doggedly determined to deliver in the north Borough and will leave no stone unturned to achieve growth. We are grateful for the support of PJ Homes and their directors who facilitated the deal and with whom we have worked in partnership to accelerate development.”

Leicester advisory firm in liquidation

April Lara
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Leicester advisory firm in liquidation

Trust Financial Planning, based in Leicester, has entered voluntary liquidation under joint liquidators Paul Stanley and Dean Watson of Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP.

The company stopped all regulated financial activity in March 2025 following FCA action that found it failed to meet the required regulatory Threshold Conditions. After assessing its financial position, the firm’s director decided liquidation was necessary.

The liquidators are now responsible for closing the company, addressing outstanding liabilities, and managing claims from creditors and shareholders.

BGF exits Brisant Secure following Allegion acquisition

April Lara
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BGF exits Brisant Secure following Allegion acquisition

BGF has completed its investment exit from Brisant Secure Limited after the company was acquired by a subsidiary of global security provider Allegion plc.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Dewsbury, with additional operations in Nottingham, Brisant Secure designs and supplies premium security hardware for the residential door market. The company gained recognition for products including the Ultion Lock and Ultion Smart, establishing a reputation for both innovation and quality in fenestration and locksmith sectors.

BGF invested in Brisant in 2021 to support its growth ambitions and scale its market presence. During this period, the firm provided strategic guidance on leadership, acquisitions, and supply chain diversification. Governance was strengthened with the appointment of Colin Sykes as Non-Executive Chair.

Since BGF’s investment, Brisant expanded its product range, grew its workforce, and solidified its position in the UK security hardware market. The partnership facilitated operational scaling to meet increasing demand and reinforced the company’s influence on industry standards for residential security and design.

The acquisition by Allegion provides a platform for further growth within a global network, marking the completion of BGF’s exit from the business.

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