Smiths Property Experts snap up NB Estate Agents

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Smiths Property Experts snap up NB Estate Agents

Smiths Property Experts have acquired and taken over the sales operation of competitor NB Estate Agents in Loughborough.

The takeover is part of a wider plan that affords both Smiths and NB clients greater marketing reach, along with access to even more industry experience.

NB have a history of excellence in estate agency, as one of Loughborough’s leading independent firms, with offices located between the ring road and Church Gate.

Tom Smith, Managing Director of East Midlands-based Smiths Property Experts, said: “We are beyond excited to announce this news. As a long-operating competitor, I know only too well that the team have worked tirelessly at NB to establish a fine reputation driven in large part by sales manager, Anna Law.

“Anna is staying in seat and brings years of experience and a determination to succeed on behalf of her clients. Clients past and present, you have my word that we will continue to add to the foundations laid by Anna and the team moving forward.”

Anna Law said: “Having met Tom, Lucinda, and the team at Smiths, I am confident that we will strengthen relationships with our clients and become a force to be reckoned with in our market. For NB clients nothing will change; I am here to provide the support, service, and results that we are known for with an experienced and motivated team.”

Pharma services company refocuses for growth

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Pharma services company refocuses for growth
Nottingham specialist pharmaceutical services company, Oncimmune Holdings, has revealed a new plan for delivery of refocused growth and changes to its board and executive leadership team. It comes after the recent divestment of Oncimmune Limited to Freenome Holdings, Inc., which strengthened Oncimmune’s cash position and provides its ImmunoINSIGHTS services business with guaranteed minimum revenues for at least the next two years from Freenome, as well as allowing Oncimmune to restructure and partly repay its loan with IPF Partners. It also follows losses widening to over £11m at Oncimmune, with administrative and research & development expenses jumping, in the firm’s 2022 financial year, despite a slight revenue rise. Oncimmune’s Board believes the company is now poised to enhance shareholder value by: refocusing commercial efforts towards higher value customers and Oncimmune’s core services offering, continuing to penetrate key customers with whom Oncimmune has long term contractual relationships, partnering with key technology suppliers on cross-selling opportunities, launching new biomarker tools as well as novel service offerings for measurement of certain biomarkers, and carefully controlling and optimally utilising its operational cost base and central overheads. As part of the refocussing of Oncimmune’s business, Dr Adam M Hill will be stepping down as CEO and as a director of the company. Pending the appointment of a permanent successor, the Board has appointed Ron Kirschner, the company’s general counsel and company secretary, as acting CEO, and a director of the company. The company is actively recruiting for additional resources in its leadership team. Alistair Macdonald, Oncimmune’s chairman, said: “The Board would like to thank Adam for his foresight, perseverance and hard work, often in challenging conditions, over the last five years. I also welcome Ron to his new role. “Since joining Oncimmune three years ago, Ron has been an instrumental part of the company’s operational and strategic leadership, providing close support to the Board throughout. The Board is grateful to Ron for stepping up to lead the company as it refocuses and as it builds a new senior executive team. “Certain of the company’s shareholders have recently engaged the Board and executive team to contribute their views on the future strategy of the company, for which I am grateful. The Board believes that the plan we set out today is the one best designed to capitalise on the company’s resources and create value for all shareholders. “I, and the rest of the Board, will continue to engage with our wider stakeholders to ensure that we remain attentive to all views as we deliver best-in-class service offerings to our customers. “Whilst the current headwinds in our sector are expected to lead to a tough end to our financial year ending August 2023, the Board believes that the company now has a solid foundation in place from which to launch the new plan to deliver growth through FY2024 and beyond.” Adam Hill, Oncimmune’s outgoing Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am delighted to have had the opportunity to lead Oncimmune for the last five years. As I transition to a new opportunity, I look forward to seeing the new team drive the next stage of the organisation’s journey.”

Rolls-Royce and University showcase specialist technology lab

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Rolls-Royce and University showcase specialist technology lab
Teams from Rolls-Royce have visited the University of Derby’s Markeaton Street site to tour a specialist laboratory space used by the global leader in complex power and propulsion systems to develop and evaluate new technologies. Representatives from the company viewed the new Rolls-Royce Technology Hub, where experts from the Rolls-Royce Central Technology Group have co-located with the University of Derby’s community of staff and students. The facility is home to two key Rolls-Royce teams drawn from Central Technology and Repair Technology, each of which has a worldwide brief. The role of the Central Technology Department is to identify technologies which could be of use to any division of Rolls-Royce. An exciting array of futuristic technologies are being developed and evaluated in the facility, some of which are the first of their kind in the world. They include robotics, metrology systems, electronics and sensor development, machine vision, spectrometry, and Internet of Things. The development of several tools in the lab has been co-funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, under the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, REINSTATE. The event coincided with the University’s Engineering Degree Show, giving visitors the opportunity to see work produced by Rolls-Royce apprentices and other students at the University. Rolls-Royce and the University already work together on several world-class projects including the Nuclear Skills Academy at Infinity Park. Dr Louise Richards, Deputy Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at the University, said: “Our partnership with Rolls-Royce provides a range of mutual benefits. Rolls-Royce’s ground-breaking work in the Technology Hub provides opportunities for University staff and students to engage with and learn from innovation and research. “We are also exploring ways to build on the success of our apprenticeships partnership to provide practical placement opportunities for our on-campus students.” Mike Wingfield, Technology Hub Lead at Rolls-Royce, said: “Having access to the facilities at Markeaton Street has been a game-changer for us; it has enabled us to develop technologies we’d previously not been able to progress. “We enjoy engaging with the staff and students at the University and hope to further involve many more students in our technology projects going forward. The ability to have this involvement with the University while still being local to two of our major sites is very valuable.” The University’s site at Markeaton Street provides a base for academics, students and apprentices on its engineering, computing, and mathematics courses as well as the creative arts. The site features state-of-the-art STEM research and innovation facilities including hi-tech electronics laboratories and engineering workshops.

Nine in ten mid-sized businesses halting growth plans due to difficulty accessing capital

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Nine in ten mid-sized businesses halting growth plans due to difficulty accessing capital

Midlands businesses are being forced to put the brakes on growth plans, as nearly nine in ten companies (88%) admit difficulty in accessing capital is impacting their business.

According to BDO LLP’s bi-monthly Economic Economy survey of 500 mid-market businesses, over a quarter (27%) of regional companies are struggling to finance expansion plans, with nearly a quarter (23%) finding it difficult to invest in the technology or software they need to improve the business. More than a fifth (22%) admit that a shortage of funding means they’re facing the prospect of having to make redundancies or scale back the business.

The survey by the accountancy and business advisory firm, also highlighted the ongoing challenges facing Midlands businesses. Over the next six months, record levels of inflation will continue to blight regional companies, with over a third (35%) saying higher overheads and increased operating costs are their number one concern.

As businesses in the region contend with a growing list of problems, the task of covering higher operational costs is one of the top business priorities for more than a quarter of regional companies (28%), with a further 28% also looking to offshore as much of their supply chain as possible, in a bid to tackle the disruptions being faced. In addition, nearly a quarter (22%) intend to restructure their workforce, including making redundancies, as Midlands companies look to take action over the next six months.

Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner at BDO in the Midlands, said: “As a result of the tough economic conditions that continue to hamper regional businesses, companies are facing a real need to raise funds within the next two years, in order to kick-start their growth plans.

“Against a challenging backdrop, Midlands businesses are having to explore every option when it comes to raising additional finance, with many struggling to access the capital they need. For nearly a third, the equity capital markets are the most appealing source of funding, with revenue-based finance and Government support schemes also high up on the list.”

Mid-sized companies, which employ eight million people and provide around a quarter of UK jobs according to further research, are now calling on the Government to support them with rising costs and improve access to capital to make the UK a more appealing place to do business.

Bellingall added: “So far, mid-market businesses in the Midlands have shown real grit and determination to fend off the challenges that continue to rain down on them.

“However, many are reaching tipping point. The need for greater capital is critical for a significant proportion of businesses, not just to finance growth plans, but also to address key issues such as investing in staff retention, repaying debts, improving salaries and, importantly, recruiting new employees with the right skills and experience.

“Midlands businesses cannot tackle these challenges in isolation. Business leaders in the region believe more can done be to address their concerns, to help to drive growth, and to ensure the UK remains an attractive place to do business.”

BlueSkeye AI wins national technology award

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BlueSkeye AI wins national technology award

Nottingham-based AI startup Blueskeye AI, which is developing software to help pregnant women monitor and improve their mental health, has won a national technology award for its work.

The company was named “Emerging Tech of the Year,” by UK tech network, Digital Leaders. BlueSkeye was chosen from a shortlisted field of ten competitors for the award at a ceremony at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on Thursday evening, 22 June. The Award recognises the development of an innovative technology, design or process that has produced a major improvement in business performance and impacted the market. BlueSkeye, a spin out from the University of Nottingham, uses AI to analyse minute changes to people’s face and voice over time which can reveal the early tell tale signs of depression. The technology has developed from 18 years of research by founding CEO professor Michel Valstar. The technology has been used by 200,000 mums so far and the company is working with Nottinghamshire NHS Trusts to undertake clinical trials. Collecting the award for BlueSkeye AI, professor Valstar said: “We’re absolutely thrilled and delighted for BlueSkeye to be recognised for its innovative use of machine learning to help clinicians, patients and their friends and families assess, treat and monitor mental health. “UK Mental Health is in crisis, around 1 in 5 women experience a perinatal mental health problem and our technology addresses this significant need. We are developing software to the highest, clinical, standards to support clinicians, mums and mums to be. “Winning shows how far we’ve come since our foundation in 2019. It’s a testament to the hard work and talent of our whole team and a validation of the work we’re doing.” The Digital Leaders Awards, now in their eleventh year, are designed to celebrate the 100 leading individuals and companies who are working to secure the UK’s digital transformation.

Reward the achievements of property and construction firms at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

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Reward the achievements of property and construction firms at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
Providing an ideal opportunity to shout about your business’s achievements, enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 NOW – ahead of nominations closing on Thursday 31 August. The prestigious event, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects 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. The annual awards attract leaders from throughout the East Midlands and are the perfect way for businesses to promote themselves and those they work with. Indeed winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly. 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 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of time to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.

After winning the most active agent award at last year’s event, Amy Bidell, director at Mather Jamie, said: “Apparently this category had so many entries that whittling it down to the three finalists was really hard to do, but we were told that we were chosen as the outright winner because of the our impressive track record of supporting clients to maximise the value of their property assets for the longest timeframe.

Victoria Golborn, Mather Jamie, Amy Bidell, Mather Jamie, Sue Alland, Mather Jamie, and Rob Day, Blueprint Interiors

“Judges were also impressed by our commitment to the community, particularly our fundraising efforts during our 30th anniversary year when over £55,000 was raised for local charities.”

She added: “It would not be right to accept this award without giving credit to everyone in our commercial, development and agricultural teams who have worked so hard to make this award win possible by providing a high level of strategic land development advice as well as rural and commercial agency and property management services.”

To nominate your (or another) business/development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, please click on a category link below or visit this page:
The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
Find out who last year’s winners were here.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground 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, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at:

Lincolnshire businesses’ support for teachers could lead to national scheme

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Lincolnshire businesses’ support for teachers could lead to national scheme

Lincolnshire businesses are to welcome in seventy teachers to share experience of business and industry and improve young people’s career opportunities.

Branston, Catch UK, CITB, CorrBoard, eComOne, Inzpire Ltd, Orsted, Plum Products, Ruddocks, Seafox Management Consultants, Serco, SRC UK, and Tong Engineering will host visits by 26 teachers, with the objective of bringing skills and workplace experience into the classroom and enrich the curriculum.
It’s part of the Teacher Encounters programme delivered by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Careers & Enterprise Company, offering half-day experiences to help teachers to develop a stronger knowledge of their subject area through real world industry experience. The scheme is part of a new national pilot programme bringing together 1,000 teachers and 200 businesses across England, allowing them to enrich teaching practice and share knowledge about skills gaps and labour market information with students and parents. Lee Douglas, Strategic Hub Lead of the Careers Hub at the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “We have delivered the Teacher Encounters project in collaboration with award-winning businesses, world leaders in their sectors which are operating at the cutting edge of innovation and technology. “It is crucial that teachers can have meaningful experiences with employers in Greater Lincolnshire. These experiences are designed to inspire teachers, enabling them to make vital links to their curriculum area of expertise and pass vital careers related information to their students.” Oli de Botton, Chief Executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “Teachers are powerful sources of careers inspiration for young people – through the conversations they have and the curriculum they teach. “One of the ways we can support them is by bridging the worlds of business and education and giving teachers meaningful encounters with employers. “Done well, these encounters can inspire teachers, students and employers. Teachers can see at first hand how local businesses work, including the routes in like apprenticeships. Students can benefit when teachers bring this insight into their lessons, linking learning to workplace skills. And employers can learn more about the workforce of the future. “This pilot is an opportunity to bring careers education further into the mainstream of school and college life and build on the enthusiasm we know is there from business to better support schools and from teachers to support their students to take their best next step.”

Work progresses to transform historic Northampton pub

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Work progresses to transform historic Northampton pub
Work is well underway to regenerate the Grade II listed Old Black Lion as a public house, community asset and new home to the Churches Conversation Trust. Over the next six months The Churches Conservation Trust will be working with Midland Conservation Limited and the Friends of St Peter’s Church, in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council, to transform this former derelict pub into a vibrant hospitality venue and community hub for residents in Marefair, and across the town. Two months into the extensive construction programme, progress can be seen on the Northampton ironstone walls where modern masonry paint and cement mortar has been removed and replaced with lime mortar and, in places where the stone had deteriorated, new stone. The windows have also been repaired. These works require highly skilled stonemasons and joiners. Enabling and demolition works took place last summer and now the main conservation repair works have begun; a third contract for fitting out the pub and offices will follow. Cllr Daniel Lister, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Member for economic development, town centre regeneration and growth, said: “It was fantastic to visit the Old Black Lion pub on Tuesday to see first-hand the progress that has been made already to sympathetically bring this derelict former pub back into use for our local community. “The building is a real focal point for the local area and once complete, this asset will form part of the wider gateway into the town, complementing the Marefair Heritage Park and deliver a hub for residents at the heart of the community.” Hannah Parham, Regeneration Project Manager, the Churches Conservation Trust, said: “The aim of the project is to restore the Old Black Lion as a pub, open for business and once again serving the local community. The refurbished pub will provide hospitality for visitors and volunteers at St Peter’s Church, supporting the work of the Friends of St Peter’s Church and encouraging beneficial uses of the church for concerts, performances and events.” This work will be complemented by the Marefair Heritage Park once the redevelopment is complete, to fully celebrate and capitalise on the heritage of the area and the Northampton Castle site. The project will cost £3.5m, of which £3m is capital expenditure. CCT was awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund Enterprise Grant of £1,841,800 in 2016; in November 2022, this was augmented by £794,405, to reflect rising costs. Funding has also been granted by HM Treasury’s Towns Fund, West Northamptonshire Council, the Architectural Heritage Fund and West Northamptonshire Development Corporation. The project has received £315,000 of Towns Fund support, and the delivery is supported by the Northampton Forward Board and forms part of the Marefair ‘Heritage Gateway’. West Northamptonshire Council has provided £370,000 in match funding and S106 contributions. The refurbishment should be completed by Spring 2024, with the publican opening the pub shortly afterwards.

£9m development set for Blackwell

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£9m development set for Blackwell
Bolsover District Council is set to spend £9m on redeveloping Woburn House and the nearby bungalows in Blackwell after planning permission was approved. The plans will see the assisted living facility, bungalows and community centre on Woburn Close demolished and replaced with 15 bungalows, eight houses, a 20-flat independent living building and a brand new community facility. Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Sandra Peake, said: “This is a significant investment and re-iterates our commitment to looking after older and vulnerable people, whilst also providing a much-needed community facility. It will be of huge benefit to local residents in the area as there will be a mixture of properties to meet a local demand. “A significant element of the scheme is the new community centre that will provide local residents with a modern facility where local events and celebrations can be held and give community groups with a place to meet.” The scheme is part of Bolsover District Council’s £36m Bolsover Homes project which is aimed at building new council houses for affordable rents across Bolsover District. The scheme uses Bolsover District Council land by replacing end of life, unfit for purpose dwellings, with new homes that exceed today’s living standard whilst benefiting the District’s economy through training, skills development, and local supply chain. Councillor Peake added: “All the new properties will be modern, energy efficient and adaptable for people with disabilities. It’s important that we keep building bungalows and accommodation for our ever-growing older population and that we keep building social properties for the benefit of our residents.” It is anticipated that phase one of the redevelopment will start soon which will involve disconnecting the services such as the gas and water, with work due to start on site fully in spring 2024.

Eurocell secures Polyframe partnership

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Eurocell secures Polyframe partnership
Eurocell, the manufacturer, distributor, and recycler of PVC-U building products, has welcomed Polyframe as one of their fabricator partners. Based in Norwich and Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, Polyframe has been supplying fabricated fenestration systems for over 30 years and has chosen to join with Eurocell to ensure long-term security and reliability in supply and service. As a Eurocell customer, Polyframe will benefit from Eurocell’s ‘Grow With Us’ ethos, receiving technical support and expertise from dedicated teams, continual focus on investment in new machinery, services and products, as well as business development support to propel growth. In addition to their existing offering, Polyframe, will now be able to offer a wider range of PVC-U with the Eurocell Logik System. Eurocell’s PVC-U profiles contain high levels of recycled content; partners can benefit from the carbon savings this provides and are able to communicate these to customers – as part of their commitment towards a more sustainable future. Phil Walker, Polyframe Managing Director, said: “Eurocell is a well-respected and long-standing business with similar vision and values around service and support to that of Polyframe. We are delighted to be partnering with them to provide our combined benefits to our customers. “Eurocell has a detailed understanding of the Future Homes Standard and other potential legislation changes, and we are well placed to work with Eurocell long into the future to provide our customers with sustainable and innovative systems. “I can assure customers that Polyframe will offer the same high levels of product quality, consistency of supply and levels of service with the new Eurocell options – all delivered in an industry-leading time of five days.” Andy McDonnell, commercial MD at Eurocell, said: “We are pleased to be starting this new partnership with Polyframe, a well-trusted leading fabricator in the fenestration industry that champions our values and dedication to high-quality product and service. “Our best-in-class support means Polyframe will have the tools required for sustainable growth as part of our ‘Grow With Us’ ethos, and we can guarantee a smooth transition with minimal disruption so Polyframe can continue doing what they do best for their customers. “Our recent investments in infrastructure and enhanced partnership approach mean we are well placed to continue to deliver value and quality to all of our customers whilst continuing to grow.”
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