Nomination deadline looms for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

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Nomination deadline looms for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
As the nomination deadline (Thursday 31 August) draws nearer for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, don’t miss out on the opportunity to showcase your business, teams, outstanding developments and boost morale with an entry for the annual celebration of the property and construction industry. Taking place on Thursday 28 September, the Bricks shine a light on the exceptional work of those shaping the landscape of our region, recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – 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. The glittering awards ceremony revealing winners, at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, will also offer the ideal chance to establish new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region. The event will additionally feature Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, as keynote speaker. Entries for the awards are open until Thursday 31 August. 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:

Logicor to begin its largest redevelopment in the UK with Daventry logistics scheme

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Logicor to begin its largest redevelopment in the UK with Daventry logistics scheme
Logicor, the owner and manager of logistics real estate in Europe, is set to begin its largest redevelopment in the UK, in the East Midlands. Acquired in 2021, the site is located within the heart of the Midlands, within the logistics Golden Triangle, with Daventry town centre 1.5 miles away. Logicor is redeveloping the site to create 800,000 sq ft of modern logistics across 38.5 acres which will be known as Logicor Park Daventry. Detailed planning consent has been secured for three new warehouses, ranging from 135,000 sq ft to 385,000 sq ft, as well as two on-site gyms, shower facilities and cycle paths. The redevelopment will target BREEAM Excellent and EPC A, and will include a range of environmental features, including photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging points, LED lights and rainwater harvesting. Sympathetic landscaping will include planting out over 4,500 additional trees and saplings, along with local species of plants which will all assist in improving the biodiversity of the areas surrounding the development. The redevelopment is set to begin in 2023 and to be completed by Q1 2025. Benniman Construction Group has been appointed as the general contractor and it is expected that 1,000 jobs will be potentially created once the units have been completed and leased. Charlie Howard, UK Managing Director, said: “The ability to develop modern warehouses in this key location was the main reason that we acquired it in 2021. “The Golden Triangle continues to be the core location for distribution logistics and we know that our customers want to be located here, so we are delighted to be able to deliver modern and highly sustainable warehouses to the region. “Logicor Park Daventry is a great illustration of how we, as one of the largest industrial portfolio owners in the UK, are able to utilise our existing land to bring forward new and exciting warehouse opportunities for our customers through development and refurbishments.”

Wells McFarlane appoints new residential and commercial asset manager

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Wells McFarlane appoints new residential and commercial asset manager
Commercial property consultancy, Wells McFarlane has expanded with the appointment of a new residential and commercial asset manager. Pru Singh joins the Lutterworth-based firm. Pru will support Wells McFarlane’s director and co-founder, Andrew McFarlane Holt with property and site inspections; tenant, landlord, contractor and other stakeholder liaison; lease renewals; marketing and general property management. “For the last decade my career’s been focused on residential lettings and property management, working at a specialist agency in Clarendon Park,” explains Pru. “I was aware that Wells McFarlane offer this service, but the role also included commercial property, meaning I could expand my skillset. “After further research, I quickly realised what an incredible profile the firm has, especially the success it achieves from just a single office, and felt this environment would suit the next stage of my career.” Pru’s appointment follows a sustained period of growth for Wells McFarlane. Not only has the firm topped the league in five CoStar tables for 2023, but it has also increased its property management work, recently reporting it has taken over the management of a further three business parks across Leicestershire. Director, Andrew McFarlane Holt adds: “Despite a challenging and competitive market, the appetite for high-quality, easily accessible and well-appointed commercial property remains and we quickly realised a need to strengthen our team. Pru brings a level of experience that will complement our existing team and is already proving to be a welcome addition.”

Lincoln events software platform raises £1.5m

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Lincoln events software platform raises £1.5m
A Lincoln company whose events software platform was used to help plan the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games has raised £1.5m to enable it to bring its technology to a wider audience and create new jobs. Iventis has secured investment from the MEIF Proof of Concept & Early Stage Fund, which is managed by Mercia Ventures and part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), and Mercia’s EIS funds. Iventis enables teams planning events to collaborate online by bringing together satellite imagery, maps, architectural drawings and other data in one easy to use platform. The company has worked on a host of high-profile events including the recent Special Olympics in Berlin, the World Cup and Dubai Expo. The latest funding will enable it to further enhance its technology and bring it to a wide range of event planners. Iventis was founded by Joe Cusdin who had previously worked on the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Mercia first invested in the business in 2019. The latest funding brings the total it has raised to date to over £2.1m and will enable the company to create around six new jobs. Joe Cusdin, CEO, said: “Planning high-profile events is extremely complex with a host of different factors to consider – from designing and building the infrastructure and planning schedules to managing crowd control, transport and security. “However the industry still relies heavily on spreadsheets, drawings and data in different formats. With Iventis we have already shown how technology can transform large-scale event planning. We will now be bringing our innovations and technology to a wider audience.” Sandy Reid, investment director at Mercia, added: “Joe and the team have built a first-rate product and attracted a gold-standard client base. “We believe there is huge potential to grow the business, not only in the field of sport and entertainment but also in areas such as tourism, transport and construction – anywhere teams need to work together to plan and manage complex operations. “The funding will enable the company to strengthen its management team with a number of key appointments and accelerate sales growth.” Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Chief Executive Ruth Carver said: “I am delighted that Lincoln company Inventis has secured further investment through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF). The Greater Lincolnshire LEP, along with the European Union, co-funded the MEIF to help fuel local businesses’ growth ambitions and it is good to see investment into a digital events platform and investment in talent locally.”

Collective performance pay outperforms individual bonuses, University of Leicester finds

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Collective performance pay outperforms individual bonuses, University of Leicester finds
Team-based performance-related pay is more productive than individual performance-related pay, according to a University of Leicester review. The review sought to compare individual-based practices such as merit pay, piecework or sales bonuses to a collective system such as a team bonus or profit-sharing schemes. The paper is a systematic review of research studies that directly compare the two systems and found that collective systems are associated with a higher level of performance than individual ones. According to the review, in no study do individual incentives outperform collective systems. In 61% of studies collective systems perform better than individual systems, either alone or in conjunction with individual systems, according to University of Leicester researchers led by Professor Stephen Wood. In 64% of cases where a hybrid system was assessed this performs better than either pure form. The majority of the studies reviewed were conducted in the USA. However, a well-known example of a successful hybrid system in the UK is the John Lewis Partnership’s annual bonus scheme. The review suggests that collective pay systems stimulate idea generation and sharing, helping behaviours, improved methods of working, and the setting of interdependent goals for individuals and groups. On the other hand, it concludes that individual systems can lead workers to focus on one outcome at the expense of others and hinder innovation. Professor Stephen Wood, Professor of Management at the University of Leicester School of Business and the lead author of the review, said: “The danger of all performance-related systems is that in heightening the saliency of money, one gets pay-related performance; but this seems to be a danger of individual systems but not of collective ones. “They can foster the kind of team working that is increasingly favoured in business and the public sector. And designed correctly, targeted at multiple goals, they can harvest the creativity and intrinsic motivation of all staff.” Comparisons of the Effects of Individual and Collective Performance-Related Pay on Performance was written by Stephen Wood, Silvia Leoni and Daniel Ladley. The report is now available to read in the US journal Human Resource Management Review.

Innovative Derby company bases future growth at Oberoi Business Hub

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Innovative Derby company bases future growth at Oberoi Business Hub
A Derby company which has developed an innovative new range of blinds has moved its head office to Oberoi Business Hub in Pride Park. Blind Screen is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Lenny Reynolds, who has operated in the blinds industry for more than 20 years, and marketing and lead generation expert Paul Cheetham MCIM. Now based in Pride Park, Blind Screen plan to grow their sales and product development teams and will also hold training for national retail and installation partners. The company, supported by Ascend funding from Derby City Council and Vision Derbyshire from Derbyshire County Council, has recently appointed a major UK-based manufacturer and already has nearly 250 distributors based across the UK ahead of the official nationwide launch early next year. Paul Cheetham said the business “needed a head office not only for [its] growing team but also with the facilities to hold training sessions for around 50 different businesses every week.” He added: “Oberoi Business Hub was therefore the perfect solution. It has given us the facilities we need now and the capacity for future growth. The location in Pride Park with excellent road, rail and air transport links make us easily accessible for our network and gives us the business address that adds kudos to the quality of our brand.” Kavita Oberoi OBE, founder and Managing Director of Oberoi Business Hub in Pride Park, said: “Blind Screen is yet another example of why Derby is the capital of innovation and we are delighted that they have chosen Oberoi Business Hub to base their head office and pave the way for future growth. “This is an exciting new range of products which not only look fantastic in homes and commercial premises but will be a game changer to keeping warmth in and, with increasing global warming, protecting buildings and their inhabitants from air pollutants and extreme temperatures.” Business Hub manager Jodie Brady concluded: “We look forward to working with Blind Screen to support them as they take the world by storm and achieve the success that their innovative product development and entrepreneurial spirit richly deserves.”

Senior conveyancing lawyer bolsters property team at Actons Solicitors

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Senior conveyancing lawyer bolsters property team at Actons Solicitors
Actons, the leading independent law firm in Nottingham, has appointed a highly experienced conveyancing lawyer as an Associate in its Property Team. Highly experienced residential conveyancing solicitor David Stapleton has joined the Property Team at Actons as an Associate. Joining from Chattertons, David has specialised in residential conveyancing for over 20 years. David helps clients with all aspects of residential property work including sales and purchases, registered and unregistered, sale and purchases of leasehold property, transfer of equity, equity release. Caroline Pearson, Director and Head of Property at Actons, commented: “I am delighted to welcome David to the property team and the wider firm. His extensive experience in residential conveyancing make him a valuable addition to the firm. We are certain that David will play a pivotal role in driving our property team forward and continue to provide our customers with outstanding level of service. David Stapleton, Associate at Actons added: “I’m really pleased to have joined the team at Actons. The main thing that attracted me to join the firm was their approach and culture – which was evident from the first conversation I had with them. I’m looking forward to working with the team and wider firm to develop the residential conveyancing practice.” Actons Solicitors takes pride in their ability to attract highly skilled talent, and David’s arrival follows a string of recent promotions and arrivals at the firm including Commercial Property lawyer Kerry Elliott from Knights, Contentious Private Client lawyer Nicola Parr also from Chattertons, and the promotion of Alastair Rose to Associate, and the firms first two business support directors Matt Coleman and Marc Pegg as Chief Operations Officer and Finance Director.  

Insurance data intelligence provider completes new fundraise led by industry veteran

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Insurance data intelligence provider completes new fundraise led by industry veteran
Nottingham-based insurance data intelligence provider, Percayso Inform, has announced a second major investment in its fast-growing business with a £2.7m fundraise led by industry veteran, Neil Utley, and its existing venture capital investor, Praetura Ventures. Since its launch in the UK insurance market three years ago, a growing number of insurers, brokers and MGAs in both personal and commercial lines have partnered with Percayso to take advantage of its smart solutions to turn insurance data into intelligence, insight and outcomes. Its 65-strong client base now includes Ageas, Covea, Direct Line, Markerstudy, Somerset Bridge, The AA and many more. Following the investment led by Praetura Ventures in March last year, Percayso extended its proposition to deliver a full quote intelligence suite. Its technology aggregates data from many different sources, allowing intelligence to be accessed with a simple API call at significant volume, while its platform and advanced tech allows insurance providers to take control of their own strategies and deployment by enabling rules and models to be used in their own environments via a SaaS model. And in a transformational deal for the business this year, it also acquired Cazana – now branded Percayso Vehicle Intelligence – marking a major step forward in its plans to increase its footprint across the UK motor insurance market. Rich Tomlinson, Managing Director at Percayso, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Neil as an investor. He has a breadth of experience and knowledge to share from his 30 plus years of working in our industry at the highest level. “In particular, his expertise in the motor insurance market will be invaluable in helping us to achieve our ambitions for Percayso Vehicle Intelligence. And we’re hugely proud that Praetura Ventures are continuing to support us. “We’ve forged a fantastic relationship and in particular, I’d like to offer special thanks to Guy Weaver from their team who played a critical role in the Cazana acquisition. “As we look ahead, we believe that Percayso Inform will play a key role in helping insurance providers of all shapes and sizes to get more out of the wealth of data available to enable them to write better business. The combined skills and experience that Neil and Praetura Ventures bring to our business will undoubtedly help us to accelerate our growth plans.” Utley was chairman at Hastings where he led the management buyout from Insurance Australia Group in 2009, and led the insurer through its initial public offering in 2015. Prior to this, he held CEO roles with Privilege Insurance and Cox Insurance Group. Commenting on his decision to invest in Percayso, he said: “Rich and his team are building one of the most exciting businesses to have emerged in our industry in many years. UK insurance providers have been crying out for a flexible, scalable and easy to integrate data intelligence solution. “I’m incredibly impressed with all that Percayso has achieved so far and look forward to helping the team take the business to the next level.” David Foreman, Managing Director at Praetura Ventures, added: “Our relationship with Percayso has gone from strength to strength over the past 16 months, and our team have been impressed with the progress that Percayso has made in such a short space of time. “We will be continuing with our More Than Money support and couldn’t be more excited about the road ahead.” Peel Hunt advised Percayso on the fund raise and the legal team at Knights acted for Percayso. The Praetura Ventures team were advised by the legal team at Irwin Mitchell.

Global investment firm agrees to acquire Chesterfield motor finance platform

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Global investment firm agrees to acquire Chesterfield motor finance platform
Global investment firm Carlyle has agreed to acquire Evolution Funding, the used auto finance platform, investing alongside Evolution’s founders and existing investor LDC. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Based in Chesterfield, Evolution is a technology-led motor finance platform that connects car dealers and auto finance providers with multiple lenders. Since it was founded in 2002, the business has grown to become the largest used car finance marketplace in the UK with its funding platform widely embedded across UK automotive dealerships. It has 500 employees and supports over 4,000 dealer forecourts, including national car dealerships such as Marshall, Sytner Group and Trust Ford, and major online-only used car dealers such as Cinch and Cazoo. It also has brand partnerships with the AA and fintech services like Experian and ClearScore, which offer access to direct-to-consumer channels. In the last twelve months, Evolution has enabled nearly 150,000 financing transactions with a total platform volume in excess of £2 billion. Over the last four years, the business has almost quadrupled the total volume of advances it enables along with doubling its employee headcount. Evolution has made two key strategic acquisitions in recent years: Click Dealer in July 2021 and Motion Finance in May 2023. Click Dealer is highly complementary to Evolution’s existing services and supports its growth strategy to enhance its technology, digital capabilities, and SaaS proposition. Motion Finance has allowed Evolution to further grow its core market share in independent motor dealers. Equity for the investment will be provided by Carlyle Europe Technology Partners (CETP) V, a €3 billion fund which invests in technology companies across Europe. CETP will work with management to support Evolution’s growth in the used car finance market by working to expand the range of dealers’ product offerings on its interface and in doing so becoming an enablement platform for additional sales, developing a digital lead-generation capability, and exploring consolidation of the fragmented motor finance market through further M&A. Fernando Chueca, Managing Director in the CETP investment advisory team, said: “In Evolution, we identified the opportunity to partner with an advanced technology platform in the UK’s fragmented market for used car finance, which we believe is an attractive and growing segment. “In addition to its market leading position and high barriers to entry, we believe the continued development and expansion of Evolution’s digital platform, as well as exploring M&A opportunities, can unlock significant value. We look forward to working with Lee and the entire team at Evolution.” Lee Streets, founder and CEO of Evolution Funding, said: “We believe Evolution holds a unique position in the UK’s motor finance market, built upon capturing the opportunity to provide a differentiated, technology-based platform which helps both lender and dealer partners navigate change from digitisation and regulation. “In Carlyle, we have found the ideal partner to continue our growth journey, given their experience growing and scaling entrepreneurial technology businesses like ours. “We would like to thank the team at LDC for their support over the last four years, investment in the development of our technology platform, and for helping us to position Evolution at the leading edge of the market. We are excited for this next stage of Evolution’s journey as we continue to transform the motor finance market.”
Lawrence Dean, partner and head of South at LDC, added: “Lee and his team have almost quadrupled the total volume of advances Evolution’s platform enables in the last four years; a significant achievement given the uncertainty in the market. “In addition, Evolution has continued to invest in its technology, playing a leading role in the digitisation of the motor finance market and developing innovative digital finance solutions that are shaping the industry and customer experience. We look forward to continuing to work together to support Evolution’s future growth plans.” CETP was advised by Houlihan Lokey, DLA, Alvarez & Marsal, LEK and Seedcloud. Evolution Funding and LDC were advised by Arma Partners, Gowling WLG, KPMG, OC&C and Crosslake. The transaction is subject to FCA approval.

Profits soar at Frasers Group

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Profits soar at Frasers Group
Shirebrook-based retail giant Frasers Group has reported a record performance for the year ended 30 April 2023.  Group revenue of £5.5bn marked an increase of 15.8% from £4.8bn in the prior year, largely due to acquisitions and the impact of a 53rd week in FY23. Meanwhile reported profit before tax soared to £660.7m, up 96.9% from £335.6m in the year prior. Strong results across the group were boosted in particular by profitable growth in sports retail.

Michael Murray, Chief Executive of Frasers Group, said: “In my first full year as Chief Executive, we have delivered a strong performance across the group. We were bold in setting our full year guidance twelve months ago, before the full impact of the cost-of-living crisis was clear, but our business has remained resilient, and we have met these expectations. 

“The Elevation Strategy is continuing to drive results across every segment, and I want to thank the entire company for all their hard work in delivering our vision for Frasers Group. It has been a particularly significant year for Sports Retail, demonstrating that elevating Sports Direct was the right strategy.

“Our investment in the store estate, our focus on strengthening key brand partnerships, and the synergies created by strategic acquisitions is now delivering very clear results. We’ve also made huge progress in the year building our sector-leading ecosystem, with Frasers Plus now successfully launched across our brands and businesses. 

“We enter the new financial year in a strong position and are determined to unlock further growth, underpinned by our laser focus and acceleration of our Elevation Strategy.”

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