East Midlands Freeport sets out £1bn Investment Strategy and Business Plan
East Midlands Freeport has published its first Investment Strategy and 2025/26 Business Plan, outlining how over £1 billion in funding will be used to drive infrastructure, skills and sustainable energy development across the region.
These plans set out how the Freeport is going to use retained business rates and other funding tools to unlock development, attract investment and support growth across its three nationally significant sites: East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster, East Midlands Intermodal Park, and the former Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site.
This approach is backed by the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and developed in close partnership with local authorities, site developers, and the East Midlands Combined County Authority. It reflects the Freeport’s role in delivering targeted, long-term economic growth for the region.
The new Investment Strategy outlines how East Midlands Freeport will reinvest £1bn through retained business rates and complementary funding, deliver enabling infrastructure and unlock development-ready sites, launch a Skills and Communities Fund in 2025, support the clean energy, logistics, and advanced manufacturing sectors, help create 28,000 new jobs and deliver £9 billion in wider economic impact.
This strategy ensures that investment is deployed in a way that supports national priorities while delivering long-term value for communities and businesses in the East Midlands.
The Business Plan sets out how resource and investment will be targeted in the year ahead – supporting site activation, investor engagement and workforce development.
It builds on early progress, securing £150m of investment and creating over 850 jobs, and outlines next steps to scale activity across all three sites.
Priority areas include infrastructure planning and early works, occupier attraction in key growth sectors, delivery of inclusive skills programmes, strategic collaboration with local and national partners, and governance and impact measurement to track results.
Tom Newman-Taylor, CEO of East Midlands Freeport, said: “These plans show how East Midlands Freeport is unlocking development, attracting investment and building value for the region.
“This is a Freeport delivering with purpose – backed by strong partnerships and focused on sectors that will define the UK’s economic future. We’re proud to be part of a strong ecosystem supporting growth that is targeted, inclusive and aligned with both national strategy and regional priorities.”
East Midlands property consultancy smashes charity challenge
Professionals from the East Midlands offices of a property consultancy have helped raise more than £25,000 for charity as part of an epic fundraising relay – with 11 weeks of the challenge still to go.
Fisher German is marking its 25th anniversary with its ‘Big25’ charity challenge which is seeing colleagues tour its 25 offices across the country in a 2,400-mile journey – without any form of motorised transport.
The firm created the Big 25 challenge to raise at least £25,000 which will be split equally between the 25 charities, and colleagues have already smashed the target raising a total of £25,642 so far.
Fisher German has also pledged to match-fund any donations up to £25,000 from supporters, meaning at least £50,000 will now be divided between the good causes.
As part of the challenge, the firm’s Ashby offices have chosen to raise money for Leicester-based LOROS Hospice which cares for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families, and Cardiac Risk for the Young, which works to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths by promoting awareness, conducting screenings, and supporting affected families.
Fisher German’s Market Harborough office has chosen to support Knighton-based Hope Against Cancer, which funds cancer research across Leicestershire and Rutland, while its Newark office has chosen to raise money for DEBRA, which supports people living with EB, often known as the ‘butterfly skin’ condition.
So far, the Big 25 challenge has seen colleagues walking, running, cycling, horseback riding, sailing, paddleboarding, skiing and even roller skating their way between offices.
Key clients of Fisher German as well as the charities themselves have also been invited to take part.
Offices have also been holding bake sales, raffles, fetes, car washes, car boot sales and quizzes to raise even more funds for the 25 good causes.
With 11 weeks of the challenge still to go, the grand total is expected to grow even further.
Fisher German partner Stuart Flint said: “It is absolutely fantastic that we have already hit our fundraising target of £25,000, and as a business we are extremely proud to match-fund this in recognition of the efforts of our amazing colleagues, the many clients who have supported us and the collaboration of our excellent chosen charities.
“The firm has grown considerably over the years, and our Big 25 relay challenge is providing the perfect opportunity to bring colleagues from right across the business together.
“Everyone is having a lot of fun coming up with a plan for each leg, and we’ve seen plenty of unique and creative modes of travel.
“It has also been a great way to mark our rebrand which starts a new chapter at Fisher German as we look to grow even further over the next 25 years of the company’s life.
“I would like to congratulate everyone at the firm for their hard work on our Big 25 challenge so far, and I look forward to the final legs raising even more money for charity.”
Anyone wishing to donate should visit Fisher German’s GiveWheel link at https://givewheel.com/fundraising/7005/fisher-germans-big-25-challenge/.
Completion marked at Sutton on Sea Colonnade redevelopment
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has completed phase 1 of the multi-million-pound redevelopment of the former Sutton on Sea Colonnade and Pleasure Gardens, which was celebrated with a time capsule burial with staff and pupils from Sutton-on-Sea Community Primary School.
The project, delivered in partnership with East Lindsey District Council, CPMG Architects, and Alan Wood Associates through the Pagabo Medium Works framework, marks a significant milestone in the transformation of the coastal landmark.
The recently completed redevelopment includes a pavilion featuring space suitable for a sea-view café or restaurant fit-out and a modern exhibition area. Enhancements to the former Pleasure Gardens provide recreational areas and open community space, alongside a base to receive 15 new beach huts supplied directly by the Council.
A link bridge now connects the promenade to the new Seaview Colonnade, improving public access and the visitor experience. Popular nearby existing features have been retained, which include the refurbished paddling pool, tennis court and anchor water feature.
As part of the Mablethorpe Connected Coast Town Deal, the project received £4.2 million in government funding, with the remaining costs funded by East Lindsey District Council.
Adrian Grocock, group managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “Delivering this project has been a privilege, and we are pleased to see the colonnade restored as a key destination for the local community and visitors.
“The redevelopment balances modern enhancements with the area’s heritage, creating a space that will bring long-term benefits to Sutton on Sea. We were delighted to mark its completion with the community time capsule burial – bringing together all who made this possible alongside the younger generation, for the landmark occasion.”
Richard Hodgson, project sponsor and assistant director – strategic projects for South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, said: “The completion of phase 1 of the Sutton on Sea Seaview Colonnade is a fantastic milestone for the community.
“This phase of the redevelopment brings new opportunities for local businesses, enhances our beautiful coastline, and creates a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike. We are delighted to see our vision for this historic site come to life, ensuring it remains a cherished landmark for generations to come.”
Peers urge UK regulator to shorten car finance compensation period
The UK’s financial regulator has come under pressure from members of the House of Lords to reconsider the length of time covered by its proposed compensation scheme for mis-sold car finance. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) had planned to cover loans dating back to 2007, but concerns have been raised about the practical challenges of processing such long periods of records.
Lord Michael Forsyth, chair of the House of Lords’ financial regulation committee, suggested that the redress scheme should be aligned with the six-year limit for claims under the 1974 Consumer Credit Act, rather than extending it over 18 years. This change, he argued, would simplify the process for both consumers and firms.
The FCA had estimated the scheme could cost lenders between £9bn and £18bn, a projection based on models used to calculate the extent of mis-selling, particularly through commissions paid to motor dealerships. The scandal revolves around these commissions, which resulted in higher interest rates for customers and were not sufficiently disclosed.
Work progresses on next phase at Stud Brook Business Park
Following the first phase of development at Stud Brook Business Park, Clowes Developments are progressing with contractors Roe Developments on the next phase of smaller units ranging from 3,000 sq ft to 9,000 sq ft.
As steelwork goes up, the units are set to be ready for occupation early in 2026 and come after the development of nine new warehouse/industrial units on the site, where over two-thirds were let prior to practical completion.
Agents for the scheme are Tim Gilbertson of FHP Property Consultants and Richard Sutton of NG Chartered Surveyors.
Tim Gilbertson said: “It’s great to see smaller units being constructed in such a prime location in the East Midlands. With main road prominence and visibility, these would be ideal for trade counter use or industrial/warehouse purposes. I can’t remember the last time such a prime location was offered for smaller units so hopefully they will be snapped up quickly.”
Richard Sutton of NG Chartered Surveyors added: “As Tim says, good quality space in such a prime position almost never comes to market, so it really is great to see our clients developing out here and helping smaller business owners take advantage of a fantastic location.”
Midlands sees further sharp fall in permanent staff appointments in July
The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands survey, compiled by S&P Global, indicated that permanent placements in the Midlands continued to fall markedly in July amid reports of lower demand for workers and concerns over the economic outlook.
At the same time, temp billings fell for the first time in three months, and at the quickest rate in one-and-a-half years.
The decline in hiring activity contributed to further steep increases in candidate availability for both permanent and temporary roles. Improved candidate numbers also reduced pressure on pay, with both starting salaries and temp wages rising only marginally.
Vacancies data meanwhile showed that demand for permanent staff fell at a sharper pace, while temp staff demand dropped for the first time in three months.
The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands.
Sharp decrease in permanent placements
Permanent placements fell in the Midlands for the second successive month in July. The rate of decrease was little-changed from that seen in June and sharp overall. Survey respondents indicated that weaker confidence around the outlook and lower job postings had weighed on permanent staff appointments.
However, the reduction seen in the Midlands was the softest of the four monitored English regions.
Recruiters in the Midlands recorded a renewed decrease in temporary billings at the start of the third quarter, marking the first fall in three months. The rate of reduction was the strongest since January 2024 and sharp.
Anecdotal evidence suggested that lower demand for temp workers and higher staffing costs had weighed on billings. That said, the fall in the Midlands was softer than the national average, with only the South of England posting a weaker rate of decline.
Demand for permanent staff in the Midlands fell for the fourteenth month running in July, and at the most pronounced rate since February. The Midlands saw a slightly softer fall in permanent vacancies than that seen on average across the UK as a whole, however.
There was a decline in demand for temporary workers in the Midlands for the first time in three months during July, albeit one that was modest overall. Moreover, the pace of reduction in the Midlands was softer than those seen across the three other monitored English regions.
Sustained upturn in permanent candidate numbers
The number of candidates available for permanent roles in the Midlands increased markedly during July, with the latest uptick extending the current sequence of expansion to 28 months.
The rate of growth eased only slightly from June’s one-and-a-half-year record, and was broadly in line with the UK-wide trend. Panellists indicated that redundancies had been a key factor pushing up candidate supply.
Recruitment consultancies in the Midlands reported that a lack of temp job opportunities and redundancies contributed to a further rise in temp candidate availability in July. The rate of increase remained historically marked, despite easing to a three-month low.
The Midlands posted the slowest rise in temporary staff availability of the four monitored English regions, however.
Slowest rise in starting salaries for nearly four-and-a-half years
Salaries for new permanent joiners in the Midlands continued to rise during July. The pace of salary inflation slowed sharply, however, and was the weakest seen since the current period of pay growth began in March 2021.
The rise in permanent salaries in the Midlands was also weaker than the UK average. Recruiters often indicated that higher salaries were offered to attract suitably skilled staff. However, others noted that improved candidate availability had dampened overall growth.
Recruitment consultancies in the Midlands signalled a further increase in temp pay at the start of the third quarter. The rate of inflation was only marginal, however, and the softest recorded in the current eight-month sequence of rising pay. Moreover, the Midlands saw a slightly slower increase in temp wages than that seen at the national level.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Kate Holt, people consulting partner at KPMG in the Midlands said: “Hiring conditions in the Midlands remain tough, but employers are responding with agility. With permanent recruitment under pressure, firms are leaning into temporary hiring, and the Midlands is leading the way. We were the only region that saw a rise in temp billings and short-term vacancies across England.
“At the same time, a growing pool of available talent is giving businesses the chance to rethink how and where they invest. We’re seeing a clear shift in focus toward retaining core teams and building flexibility into future workforce planning.”
Kate Shoesmith, REC deputy chief executive, said: “There is a path to jobs market recovery – but it will take co-ordinated action from Government, the Bank of England and business to maximise on any potential upswing.
“With starting salaries and temp pay rising in the Midlands but only modestly, it was right to cut interest rates last week. More action like this, to stabilise the business cost-base, is what will support growth and boost the jobs market this year. That is what the Chancellor should be keeping firmly in mind when preparing this year’s Autumn Budget.
“Fluctuations in permanent and temporary job placements in the Midlands signal a labour market that remains resilient but uneven. Across the UK, construction, a key economic bellwether, has seen a rise in temp vacancies, an early sign of confidence returning. Demand for blue-collar temp roles and permanent engineering jobs in the UK also remains steady across the country, offering another glimmer of optimism.
“At the same time, hiring in retail and hospitality are down in the UK. Employers in these sectors are pausing due to cost pressures and uncertainty around employment law, although when the turn comes, these industries typically rebound quickly.
“Meanwhile, widespread skills shortages remain in the Midlands for permanent and temporary staff, which indicates the need for urgent support from government to upskill and retrain people; while businesses need to act now to secure the talent they will require when hiring picks up later this year, as our separate employer sentiment surveys suggest it will.”
Housbuilder commences construction on duo of Leicestershire developments
Owl Homes has commenced construction on two new developments, bringing 121 new homes to Leicestershire.
At Waltonbrook in Burton on the Wolds the housebuilder will develop 66 two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes among the north Leicestershire countryside.
At Oakwood in Stoke Golding 55 new homes will be built, comprising a mix of 1-5 bed homes on the southern edge of the village.
“With scenic countryside locations and strong local communities, we’re expecting Waltonbrook and Oakwood to be popular developments,” said Owl Homes’ sales & marketing director, Amanda Bishop.
Group director, Jonathan Rumble added: “As our industry works to tackle the national housing shortage, we’re proud to be part of the solution, bringing these new developments to life and delivering a diverse mix of homes for a wide demographic.”
Roy Geddes Bricks return to back the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
Roy Geddes Bricks (RGB) have returned to support the East Midlands Bricks Awards for another year, sponsoring the Architects of the Year category.
RGB are market-leading suppliers of facing bricks, rainscreen cladding, natural stone, cast stone and bespoke precast products. With a wealth of experience and an exhaustive range of superior quality building materials and masonry supplies, they can help to create wonderful facades for all property types, no matter the size and scale of the project.
Established since 1990, RGB have built an adept and knowledgeable team who can help architects, developers, contractors and any other clients source the best suited construction materials for their project.
They take pride in their customer led approach which sees RGB strive to exceed the client’s requirements through design input, helpful product advice, value engineering, efficient procurement, logistics management and site support.
Alex Edmeades, Area Sales Manager, Roy Geddes Bricks, said: “Passionate about everything brick, Roy Geddes Bricks are proud to sponsor the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, specifically the Architects of the year.
“Architects play a vital role in shaping the identity and future of the East Midlands, blending innovation with heritage to create spaces that serve, inspire, and endure. Architecture is more than buildings—it’s about creating environments that enrich lives, strengthen communities, and reflect our shared aspirations. This award celebrates not just individual excellence, but the lasting impact great architecture has on our region and beyond. We are excited to celebrate the entrants and present the winner with their award.
“With our head office in Nottingham we know the important role the East Midlands plays in the UK construction industry. We look forward to celebrating all shortlisted companies and projects, shining a spotlight on the fantastic results this region produces year after year.”
The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Established since 1990, RGB have built an adept and knowledgeable team who can help architects, developers, contractors and any other clients source the best suited construction materials for their project.
They take pride in their customer led approach which sees RGB strive to exceed the client’s requirements through design input, helpful product advice, value engineering, efficient procurement, logistics management and site support.
Alex Edmeades, Area Sales Manager, Roy Geddes Bricks, said: “Passionate about everything brick, Roy Geddes Bricks are proud to sponsor the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, specifically the Architects of the year.
“Architects play a vital role in shaping the identity and future of the East Midlands, blending innovation with heritage to create spaces that serve, inspire, and endure. Architecture is more than buildings—it’s about creating environments that enrich lives, strengthen communities, and reflect our shared aspirations. This award celebrates not just individual excellence, but the lasting impact great architecture has on our region and beyond. We are excited to celebrate the entrants and present the winner with their award.
“With our head office in Nottingham we know the important role the East Midlands plays in the UK construction industry. We look forward to celebrating all shortlisted companies and projects, shining a spotlight on the fantastic results this region produces year after year.”
The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, 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.
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.
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 10th annual East Midlands Bricks Awards, please click here or on a category link below.
Categories include:- Contractor of the Year
- Developer of the Year
- Architects of the Year
- Most Active Agent
- Deal of the Year
- Residential Development of the Year
- Sustainable Development of the Year
- Commercial Development of the Year
- Excellence in Design
- Responsible Business of the Year
- Overall Winner
Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.
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:
Ideagen expands EHS offerings with acquisition of WorkSafe Guardian
Ideagen, a global leader in health, safety, and risk management software, has acquired WorkSafe Guardian, an Australian company that specializes in lone-worker safety solutions. This acquisition strengthens Ideagen’s portfolio of environmental, health, safety, and quality (EHSQ) products and expands its reach within the Asia-Pacific region.
The growing need for effective safety systems for lone workers is becoming increasingly critical, with an estimated 15% of the global workforce classified as lone workers. This acquisition enables Ideagen to offer innovative solutions aimed at protecting workers who face unique safety challenges due to their environments or the isolation of their work.
WorkSafe Guardian provides an app-based safety solution that includes 24/7 monitoring, real-time emergency response, and reporting capabilities. These features will be integrated into Ideagen’s broader EHS platform, improving risk management and compliance processes for businesses across various industries, including healthcare, construction, and agriculture.
This is the fifth acquisition for Ideagen in 2025, further solidifying its commitment to expanding its global EHS capabilities. The acquisition of WorkSafe Guardian complements Ideagen’s recent purchases, including Beakon and Damstra, reinforcing the company’s strategy to strengthen its presence in high-risk sectors.
Ben Dorks, Ideagen CEO, said: “Lone workers are often the most vulnerable of any workforce, either because they are going into unpredictable environments or because it’s difficult to alert help if they get into difficulty. “Organizations have a duty to protect their people but this is a challenge when the nature of their work takes them into situations they can’t control. For industries like health and social care, agriculture or construction, this is a daily occurrence. “The addition of WorkSafe Guardian to our portfolio demonstrates our commitment to investing in powerful safety solutions that help businesses protect their staff and operations and address a growing segment of worker safety concern.” Greg Lindner, co-founder and director of WorkSafe Guardian, said: “Joining Ideagen represents an important milestone for WorkSafe Guardian. It provides us with an incredible opportunity to bring our innovative solutions to a much broader global audience, while also enabling us to offer our customers an expanded portfolio of tools and resources to address their compliance needs. “We’re excited to combine our expertise with Ideagen’s global network and industry-leading solutions, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value and support to our clients.”International investors drive growth in UK buy-to-let incorporations
Foreign ownership of buy-to-let companies in the UK has seen steady growth, with non-UK nationals now owning one in five newly incorporated buy-to-let businesses. This marks a sharp increase from 13% in 2016 and reflects wider trends in post-Brexit migration.
In 2025, the UK is on track to see a record 67,000 new buy-to-let companies formed, with around 13,500 of these partially owned by international investors. Indian nationals are leading the charge, contributing to the establishment of 684 new companies in the first half of the year. Nigerian, Polish, and Irish nationals are also contributing heavily to this trend.
The shift in investor demographics is particularly evident in lower-value markets outside London, where house prices and rental growth have remained strong. Although London continues to be a focal point for foreign ownership, markets like the East Midlands, West Midlands, and Scotland have seen significant increases in international buy-to-let incorporations.
Despite the steady rise in buy-to-let incorporations, rental growth in Great Britain showed a small dip in July, marking the first decline in five years. While rents fell 0.2% year-on-year, the average rent still sits at £1,373 per month, reflecting a 34% increase from five years ago. Although rental growth remains strong in regions like the East Midlands and West Midlands, Greater London has seen a sharp decline in rents.
Renewal rents, however, have continued to rise, with landlords aligning these rates more closely with market levels to mitigate future regulatory risks. While demand may be softening, the pressure from rising costs persists.
