Firms offered business-boosting digital advice
Manufacturers are being encouraged to find out more about a scheme aimed at helping them boost their organisations with digital technology.
Made Smarter East Midlands is a support programme which aims to help firms in the sector grow by utilising digital technologies, increasing efficiency, reducing downtime and getting products to market faster.
The project is supporting manufacturers which employ ten or more staff and are based in the D2N2 region covering Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, along with Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.
The Made Smarter Programme offers ‘Digital Transformation Road Mapping’ to help companies set out their 3-5 year transformation and cultural change journey. The scheme can provide technical expertise, consultancy and grant funding to help implement the changes detailed in the road map.
Made Smarter East Midlands will support firms in their development, adoption and implementation of emerging technologies, making a real, everyday difference to people across the business, from the boardroom to the factory floor.
World-renowned businesses and the UK government back this programme, and a team of specialist technology experts can provide businesses with personalised advice, identify the right digital tools, and help companies make strategic and everyday improvements to their manufacturing business.
In addition, business leaders can advance their own skills with the Made Smarter Leading Digital Transformation Programme. Developed with Loughborough University, this programme enhances leadership capabilities and makes the transition to digital technology easier.
D2N2 LEP’s Sector Engagement Manager Lucie Andrews, said: “I encourage local businesses to apply for the Made Smarter East Midlands support programme. You’ll get a real boost for your manufacturing, help in driving up your productivity and efficiency savings and receive support for your business to work leaner and smarter.”
Applications for the Made Smarter programme are proving very popular, so be sure to express your interest now to avoid disappointment. To find out more and take the first step towards digitising your manufacturing business, register your interest today.
Derbyshire child exploitation charity becomes first SME to receive British Safety Council funding to support staff wellbeing
Derbyshire-based charity, Safe and Sound has become the first organisation to successfully win funding from British Safety Council to improve and support its staff’s wellbeing.
The funding of up to £10,000 was awarded to Safe and Sound through British Safety Council’s Keep Thriving campaign to improve workplace wellbeing.
Safe and Sound supports and protects young people and families across Derbyshire whose lives have been affected by child exploitation.
Tracy Harrison, CEO of Safe and Sound, attended the first 3-hour workshop in November 2022 to help her and other small and medium organisations (SMEs) develop a wellbeing strategy, delivered by experts from British Safety Council’s Being Well Together programme.
Workshop attendees are invited to apply for funding six months after attending workshops with only the most effective and innovative proposals receiving approval.
Further awards will be made to other organisations taking part in workshops between November 2022 and March 2023. The money will help the SMEs to implement their wellbeing strategy and plans.
Commenting on why the money will make a difference and how Safe and Sound will make use of it to support its staff’s wellbeing, Tracy Harrison said: “I am delighted that our work to support our amazing team who in turn work so hard to support children, young people and their families in our local community has been recognised in this way.
“As a charity, we champion diversity, personal development and inclusivity and our team represents the local communities that we serve.
“This grant will enable us to implement our wide-reaching strategy to ensure the wellbeing of our staff who do an incredible job in sometimes the most challenging of circumstances and we are extremely grateful to British Safety Council’s Keep Thriving campaign for its support.
“Initiatives we are planning as part of our new wellbeing strategy include bespoke training, team building and wellbeing workshops.”
Commenting on the funding award, Mike Robinson, British Safety Council Chief Executive, said: “I am excited and proud that as a charity British Safety Council is supporting small organisations in this way, and delighted that Safe and Sound is the first recipient. I know the difference even a modest amount of funding can make to employers who lack the HR and financial resources that larger ones can use to support their staff.
“In its application Safe and Sound showed not just that it would use this money in creative and imaginative ways, but also that it would measure, evaluate and track the impact of its activities carefully, that it is listening to its staff to develop its plan and that it fits with the strategic needs of them and the charity.
“We look forward to working with Safe and Sound as it progresses on its wellbeing journey and hearing how it gets on with implementing its plan over the coming months.”
NoBlue2 acquires BrightBridge
Nottingham’s NoBlue2 has acquired BrightBridge Solutions Ltd “to create one of Europe’s largest and most effective Oracle NetSuite partners.”
The combined business – which now has approximately 130 employees and revenues of over £16m – is committed to business as usual for its 400+ customers throughout and beyond the transition period.
All members of the BrightBridge Oracle NetSuite and Microsoft Dynamics delivery teams will continue to support their 150 existing enterprise customers.
NoBlue2 was created through the recent merger of NoBlue and Elevate2 following a growth investment received from FPE Capital (FPE), the specialist software and services focused lower mid-market growth investor.
The merger, completed in July 2023, brought together two leading UK Oracle NetSuite solution providers and this announcement integrates a third big hitter in the sector; 46 BrightBridge employees will unite their skills and expertise with the NoBlue2 team.
In addition to its role as a top three Oracle NetSuite Partner in EMEA, BrightBridge has significant capabilities in Microsoft Dynamics and Sage systems. While NoBlue2 previously focused on delivering only Oracle NetSuite projects, the addition of the BrightBridge Microsoft Dynamics team will facilitate an expanded offering.
FPE Capital has a successful track record in backing ERP software and services businesses with a focus on market leading vendors and strong, client focused cultures. With FPE’s support, the strengthened NoBlue2 is now planning to invest further into application development and related services, and to further scale the business internationally.
Ian Irwin, CEO of NoBlue2, said: “BrightBridge is a well-regarded organisation and the people joining us will be a credit to the entire NoBlue2 team. I’m delighted to welcome them and their customers – we’re looking forward to working together to help customers to achieve their goals.
“We’re focused on strengthening our relationships further, delivering existing – and new – products and services to customers, and expanding our reach to deliver more innovative solutions to ambitious businesses.”
Co-founder and Sales and Marketing Director of BrightBridge, Ian Robertson, added: “The BrightBridge vision has always been to be a true partner to our customers to ensure the best return on their investment and to look after the people we employ; ultimately, they drive our success.
“Therefore, any acquisition had to be a perfect fit to guarantee customer satisfaction and staff retention for both our NetSuite and Microsoft teams – I’m delighted that we identified FPE’s investment and NoBlue2 as just that.
“By uniting our experience, skills and passion for designing and delivering ERP systems, NoBlue2 will be a remarkable knowledgebase for customers. We aim to use our robust position to cast our net wider and deeper to help more businesses and non-profits across Europe to capitalise on using the very latest in business technologies.
“This is great news for everyone – we can continue to deliver projects to BrightBridge’s high standard and be part of an exciting growth story.”
Dan Walker, partner at FPE, added: “FPE is delighted to have completed this significant acceleration of our investment in NoBlue2 through this acquisition of BrightBridge so soon after our initial investment. “We have used our specialist focus on this sector to identify this rapid pathway to creating the leading European Oracle NetSuite partner. We are ambitious to continue an acquisitive and organic growth strategy in this sector and provide our customers with a range of business applications and services to aid their digital transformation.”Gravity Digital signs up to support DCCT
Digital marketing agency Gravity Digital have teamed up with Derby County Community Trust (DCCT) to help break down barriers facing young people keen to further their education and training.
Derby-based Gravity have joined DCCT’s Partners Programme and chose to specifically align the organisation’s Education Hardship Fund as part of their commitment to support young people into the workplace.
DCCT established the Education Hardship Fund to support young people who may have a financial barrier to accessing the charity’s wide range of educational courses and supports their travel, kit costs and living expenses.
In the coming academic year, more than 700 young people will be part of the education programme which ranges from football and education to sport-related degrees.
Gravity Digital director Sharon Stevens-Cash explained: “We have long been in awe of the incredible work that DCCT does across Derbyshire and the positive impact that this has on the lives of so many people in our local communities.
“Their work closely aligns with our ethos of putting something back into the communities where we all live, work and enjoy.
“Education and employability skills are particularly relevant to our fast-moving digital marketing sector which relies on the enthusiasm, positive attitude and flexibility of young people who are the future of this industry.
“We were therefore keen to specifically support DCCT’s commitment to ensuring a level playing field and I hope that our support for the Hardship Fund will make a real difference to young people’s lives.”
DCCT Business Development Manager Pete Collins added: “We are delighted that Gravity Digital has joined our Trust Partners Programme alongside so many other notable local businesses.
“The Education Hardship Fund is crucial to support young people who might otherwise struggle to continue their education and training due to financial constraints.
“We have had many notable successes over the years including Gemma Barrowcliff who is now an administrator in the education and employability department having graduated from our Kickstart Employability scheme.
“She is a shining example of the power of education, and, with the support of Gravity Digital and other Derby businesses, many more young people will be able to achieve their potential and get the first step on the career ladder.”
Duo of Derbyshire businesses to open at Peak Village
Two Derbyshire-based independent businesses are set to open new stores at Peak Village, developing the mix of local retailers at the shopping centre, as the Devonshire Group continues its long-term investment in the site.
Henmores, an Ashbourne-based premium lifestyle and country clothing and footwear retailer, has taken a 2,300 sq ft unit at Peak Village, which will open in October.
The business is part of Young Ideas Group, a Derbyshire portfolio of four retail businesses that was established in 1968.
The fit-out of Henmores’ new location is being led by Sheffield-based company Whitehead Commercial Interiors, who previously worked alongside Chatsworth to create the bespoke interior at Peak Village’s new destination restaurant, Chatsworth Kitchen. Designed to blend heritage artefacts with a modern and fresh feel, the store will feature an integrated catwalk to support Henmores’ calendar of fashion events and showcases.
Local independent business Baxter & Co is set to open its first permanent store at Peak Village this September. Business owner Abigail List currently operates a home and garden shop at Tansley Barn Garden Centre at weekends and bank holidays, and she believes that Peak Village is the ideal location to open a full-time shop.
Abigail has nearly two decades of experience as a creative director at a national interiors and furniture firm, as well as providing support to small businesses, advising and helping with store design and merchandising.
Katayune Jacquin, centre manager at Peak Village, said: “With its outstanding links to the Peak District and local attractions, and exciting calendar of pop-up events and art exhibitions, Peak Village is a true beacon for local independent businesses to flourish and grow their teams, alongside our mix of innovative national brands and leisure offerings.
“We’re proud to welcome Henmores and Baxter & Co, two entrepreneurial businesses driven by creativity and quality, to our community at Peak Village. As the centre continues to evolve, we continue to look for opportunities to engage with other independent businesses looking to take their next step and expand their offering.”
Anne Wright, owner at Young Ideas Group, said: “Peak Village is in a perfect location on the doorstep of the great outdoors, and its links to heritage make it a unique retail proposition for our customers.
“The centre is also home to an exceptional network of independent businesses, retailers and the local community that are focussed on collaborating to elevate one another and boost the Derbyshire economy.
“It’s an exciting time for Peak Village and we look forward to working in partnership with the Devonshire Group to cultivate a fantastic retail, hospitality and lifestyle destination.”
Abigail List, owner at Baxter & Co, said: “Seeing the energy and community that the team has created here at Peak Village, as well as hearing about the ambitious plans for the future, I can’t wait to be a part of it!
“I knew this was the perfect place for my business to grow, and I’m so excited to get the store open and create a space where everyone feels welcome and can be inspired.”
Rolls-Royce opens supplier portal for manufacturing journey to nuclear energy future
Rolls-Royce has today launched a supply chain portal to identify the best UK companies to partner with in delivering a fleet of ‘factory-built’ Small Modular Reactor power plants.
The portal suppliers.rolls-royce-smr.com will help companies become part of the supply chain for this nationally important project, led by Rolls-Royce SMR from its base in Moor Lan, Derby, that will significantly improve energy security and help reach net zero targets.
Rolls-Royce SMR COO David White said: “Rolls-Royce SMR has set out its clear intention to maximise UK content and help build a supply chain that will support the Government’s plans to develop 24GW of new nuclear power by 2050.
“Through the portal, we want to build new relationships with organisations that have products and services to offer, and we’ll help them understand the requirements for becoming a Rolls-Royce SMR supplier… We’re looking at a wide range of industries outside nuclear and potentially further increasing the number of UK suppliers.”
The information collected from the portal will underpin Rolls-Royce SMR’s supply chain and social value work to establish a strong and resilient supply chain that can sustain high quality long-term jobs and support growth.
Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive of Make UK, said: “This is a project of strategic national importance that will not only serve to speed up the drive towards net zero, but create a supply chain of high value, sustainable manufacturing jobs that can serve the global nuclear industry and increase our energy security. It is vital that Government moves without delay to approve this programme which is one piece in the jigsaw of an industrial strategy.”
As the UK’s sovereign nuclear technology, Rolls-Royce SMR is making good progress through the independent regulatory Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process to secure consent for their technology to operate in the UK. As part of the GDA, Rolls-Royce SMR welcomes comments and questions about the Rolls-Royce SMR design.
HMV owner’s wilko rescue deal collapses
Doug Putman’s wilko rescue deal, which could have saved thousands of jobs, has collapsed.
According to Sky News, the HMV owner has ended talks with administrators, PwC, for a deal to acquire around 100 stores. The smaller deal followed initial plans to take on around 300 shops.
Reports suggest the central costs associated with taking on wilko’s infrastructure is behind the collapse of the deal.
It is now thought that administrators will look to secure a transaction with the owner of Poundland for around 100 stores. Whether the employees from these shops will be part of the transaction is unclear.
The news comes after 52 wilko store closures were confirmed last week, leading to the redundancies of 1,016 staff. Meanwhile a further 299 redundancies were announced at two distribution centres in Worksop and Newport.
It was also revealed last week that B&M would be acquiring 51 wilko properties.
Wilko collapsed into administration last month (August), putting 12,000 jobs on the line.
The retailer opened its first store in Leicester 93 years ago, and has hosted its HQ in Nottinghamshire for the past half a century.
Journeo secures £2.25m passenger information systems purchase orders
Journeo plc, an Ashby-de-la-Zouch-headquartered provider of information systems and technical services to transport operators and local authorities, has secured purchase orders totalling £2.25m from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC).
The purchase orders are for the provision of Journeo’s advanced real time passenger information systems and software in bus shelters and on-street at key locations throughout Hertfordshire county. Planning, design and manufacturing has already commenced and it is anticipated that the majority of the revenue will be generated by March 2024.
With a population of 1.2 million and over 4,200 bus stops, HCC supported the development of the Bus Back Better strategy and one of their main objectives is to significantly improve public transport services. Journeo’s information systems and software will play a key role in supporting HCC’s commitments set out in their Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs).
Russ Singleton, Chief Executive of Journeo plc, said: “We have been working with HCC for many years and are delighted they have chosen our latest display systems and software as we work closely with them to deliver their BSIPs.
“The UK Government set out clear objectives with local authorities to deliver BSIPs of which providing the accurate and up-to-date information is key to encouraging a modal shift towards the use of public transport.”
Move to new premises offers space for company’s expansion
Relocation to business premises on The Point Business Park in Lincoln will give UK data measurement systems & electronics firm, HGL Dynamics Ltd, a new base from which to expand its operating division and recruit to accommodate business growth.
HGL’s move to its new Lincoln base at The Point Business Park follows the firm’s purchase of the freehold of Unit F – a 503 sq m (5,415 sq ft) detached, two storey, self-contained office building, with parking – through Eddisons incorporating Banks Long & Co, who acted as the sole agent on behalf of the vendor.
HGL – whose client base varies from household names in the aerospace & industrial gas turbine sectors to classic car restorers & drone manufacturers – has been based at Lincoln’s Lindum Business Park for more than ten years, but the firm has outgrown that space.
Julian Howden, Principal Mechanical Design and Production Engineer, said: “In logistical terms, we had reached full capacity at our original Lincoln site. The move to Unit F at The Point gives the team scope to design a floorplan and layout for improved flexibility, efficiency and ergonomics.
“Our Lincoln operation currently has a headcount of 16, but we have plans to recruit to meet business growth and our acquisition of Unit F gives us the space to do that.”
William Wall, who led Eddisons’ agency negotiations with HGL, said: “It’s a testament to the vibrancy of Lincoln’s business scene that companies like HGL are keen to reinforce their presence here by investing in property and recruitment.”
HGL is due to move in to Unit F at The Point Business Park later this year following a comprehensive fit-out programme.
Construction starts at Beauchamp Business Park
Following the completion of groundworks, construction is now underway at Beauchamp Business Park, a new commercial development in Kibworth, Leicestershire.
Clowes Developments and its team including IMA Architects, TanRo, Millward Consulting Engineers, Gateley’s Legal and Postins Project Services are now bringing forward the scheme that, when complete, will feature a series of freehold and leasehold industrial units ranging from 1,270 sq ft to 10,085 sq ft.
Beauchamp Business Park is situated on an 11-acre site located on the outskirts of Kibworth between Leicester and Market Harborough on the A6. Groundworks began at the site in September 2022 following planning permission being granted by Harborough District Council and construction is now underway, with completion expected in the summer of 2024.
Clowes have instructed main contractor TanRo to develop the site along with IMA Architects who are providing all architectural services and acting as Principal Designer on the scheme.
Agents Phillips Sutton and TDBRE have been working closely with interested parties during the planning process which has seen Beauchamp Business Park receive “unprecedented interest” from day one.
James Richards, director at Clowes Developments, says: “The demand for these units has been exceptional which shows the importance of putting the infrastructure in place to support growing local businesses.
“The majority of interested parties are all local businesses which is fantastic to see, and we are sure that Beauchamp Business Park will develop into a thriving commercial hub, creating employment opportunities for Kibworth and the surrounding areas.”
Ben Hall, director at IMA Architects, says: “It is great to see works re-commence on site and to see our plans come into reality. We are proud to again be working with Clowes Developments to deliver a scheme that will benefit the local economy and I am sure that the units will facilitate the further growth of those companies that will call them their home.”
