Showcase sustainable developments at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023

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Showcase sustainable developments at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023
With the nomination deadline for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 approaching quickly, there are 10 categories open for entry, providing a perfect opportunity to shine a light on outstanding businesses, teams and projects at the annual event celebrating the region’s property and construction industry. One such category is Sustainable Development of the Year, which can be entered here. The winner of this category will be the scheme that has displayed a true commitment to sustainable development in the East Midlands, whether this be in an environmental development, social enterprise or a scheme which will benefit the region in other ways, so long as it benefits the future generation. Schemes must have been completed over the last 12 months. Last year, Galliford Try Construction scooped the award, for Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park, beating out stiff competition from Scenariio, for the refurbished HQ for LKAB Minerals, and Chesterfield Borough Council and Whittam Cox Architects, for Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre. Judges said: “We felt that the building whilst sustainable in its own right could play a larger role in the longer-term sustainability of Nottingham by balancing people, planet and prosperity!” Jon Marston, Managing Director of Building East Midlands, Galliford Try Construction, said: “We are immensely proud of the work that has taken place at Broad Marsh Car Park, and the recognition it has received at the East Midlands Bricks Awards is just reward for the efforts of the team.” With this year’s Sustainable Development of the Year award once again sponsored by Viridis Building Services, a spokesperson for the company said: “We are proud to sponsor the Sustainable Development of the Year award at the East Midlands Bricks Awards for another year. We promote this award in particular because of its relation to us as a business and how it fits within our values. Sustainability isn’t just what we do – it’s who we are and to be able to live this through this award makes us proud to be involved. “Through this award we are ensuring the East Midlands is leading the market through sustainable design. We understand the passion from those involved towards this award and we know the great pride in delivering these outcomes. Therefore, to present this award allows us to promote this type of design and ensure innovative, collaborative and pragmatic solutions are provided. This not only helps promote those involved in the design stages, but also to promote those who will be using the spaces in the future. “We look forward to seeing this year’s entries to the Sustainable Development of the Year award and attending the event to reveal the winner. We feel the awards bring the East Midlands together, not just within the Sustainable Development of the Year category, but for all the categories – we are proud to be part of the East Midlands Bricks Awards to promote the area and molding its future.”

Submit your nominations for Sustainable Development of the Year here before entries close on Thursday 31 August.

Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region. Other award categories open for entry include: Most Active Estate Agent, Commercial Development of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, and Residential Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here. The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.

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:

Chartered surveying practice snapped up by Gateley

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Chartered surveying practice snapped up by Gateley
Gateley, the professional services group, has acquired Richard Julian and Associates Limited, trading as RJA Consultants, in a deal worth up to £6 million. The deal includes, subject to certain revenue targets being achieved, an earn out based on the EBITDA achieved in each twelve-month period expiring 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2025. Established by founder and Managing Director, Richard Julian, RJA is a chartered surveying practice, providing quantity surveying and project management services across a variety of construction sectors. It specialises in the provision of these services to organisations that deliver affordable housing, a resilient sector which is underpinned by high levels of grants to support delivery of the Government’s housing targets. Richard Julian and directors Steven Collin, Liza Julian, Hardeep Kooner and Chris Clubb, will continue to work as part of the RJA management team post acquisition. The company employs approximately 50 staff based in Nottingham and Leicester. In the financial year ended 31 March 2023, RJA generated revenue of c.£3.9 million, corporatised profit before tax of c.£0.8 million and organic revenue growth of 65% against the prior year. Rod Waldie, Chief Executive Officer of Gateley, said: “I am delighted to welcome the team from RJA, who are already well known by our colleagues in Gateley Smithers Purslow. “There are common threads between the two teams and across our Property Platform, bringing opportunities to increase market share, as well as target new markets and workstreams. They have considerable expertise in the construction market and specifically in resilient sectors such as affordable housing and insurance services. “RJA has a strong track record of growth, excellent relationships with clients, a dedicated and positive culture and an ambitious management team, qualities which closely match Gateley’s business and culture.”

Nottingham firm named as one of the first retail partners of premium Korean car manufacturer

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Nottingham firm named as one of the first retail partners of premium Korean car manufacturer

Nottingham-based Pendragon PLC has been chosen as one of the first retail partners of premium Korean manufacturer, Genesis. 

Further building its Stratstone brand portfolio, which includes manufacturers such as Aston Martin, BMW and Mercedes, Pendragon will operate the Genesis Leeds, York, Sheffield market area from January 2024. 

With the agreement signed last week, over the Genesis Scottish Open, the move will support Genesis’ expansion plans to grow capacity and capabilities for test drives, sales and service operations, ahead of further expansion into other European markets.    

Bill Berman, Chief Executive Officer of Pendragon PLC, said: “We are delighted to add Genesis to our Stratstone roster and be able to offer Pendragon customers another luxurious and sustainable brand from next year. As the fastest-growing luxury car brand in the world, we are looking forward to being an integral part of Genesis’ continued success and its plans to become an EV leader in the UK.” 

Lawrence Hamilton, Managing Director for Genesis Motor Europe, said: “This is an exciting milestone for Genesis in the UK. Earlier this year, we announced we would be expanding the Genesis footprint and we are delighted to now have Pendragon on board who share our vision for the future. 

“With Pendragon now officially part of the Genesis family from the start of 2024, it means we can deliver our unique Korean customer service directly to our new and existing customers in Leeds, York and Sheffield.” 

New homes and retail offer to breathe new life into Newark

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New homes and retail offer to breathe new life into Newark
Work to transform the empty former M&S building on Stodman Street in Newark into an attractive hub made up of homes and retail units is nearing its start date. The project will breathe new life into the heart of the town when completed.
Stepnell has been appointed to undertake the demolition and mobilisation of the project. Plans will see the empty building made into an attractive hub made up of 29 high-quality residential homes in the heart of Newark which will provide a new town centre housing offer with a sympathetic but eye-catching and vibrant design. There will also be two refurbished retail units which will improve Newark’s retail offer with the aim of attracting more people into the town centre. Matt Lamb, Director of Planning and Growth at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “Like us, our local community care passionately about the health of our town centre and we’re doing all we can to support businesses and find new ways to bring people to the town in challenging times. “The loss of a town centre Marks and Spencer store left a significant vacant building within the town which was generating little interest from new tenants. “This development enables a new approach, bringing a high-quality residential scheme into the town centre for private let and sale, alongside two new ground floor commercial spaces, with smaller footprints to make them more attractive to retailers. “The scheme will bring more residents and footfall into the Town Centre, acting as a catalyst for a revitalised and thriving town centre.” Tom Cartledge, Co-Chair of the Newark Town Board, said: “Everyone wants a town centre that is thriving where living, working, shopping, leisure and enjoyment can all merge together. “This is an opportunity to transform a large empty building into something that will be hugely beneficial to the health of our high street in the future. Across the country retail in towns and cities is in decline which is why we’ve put this project together to inject new life in the area with the aim to make the heart of Newark a great place to live and shop. “While Newark performs well compared to the UK average for numbers of vacant town centre retail units, it’s important that we continue to do all we can to attract people. Currently, the average vacancy rate for England Town Centres is 13.9% while Newark equates to 9.54%. “There are many other projects running alongside the development including Newark Cultural Heart which has already brought people to the town centre through creating exciting events and programmes and the Stodman Street work is an extra step in encouraging more to visit, stay longer and take advantage of the activities and hospitality on offer.” Tom Sewell, Regional Director at Stepnell, said: “We are proud to be working as a complete construction partner with the council on such a fantastic scheme for the people of Newark. As well as facilitating the demolition and mobilisation works, we will also be making a significant investment back into the local community. “Our team at Stepnell will do this via targeted regional spending, employability programmes with local schools and colleges, and sustainability initiatives to reduce our carbon impact throughout our work on the project. “We understand the power regeneration projects like this have to provide more opportunities for local people and to develop a more vibrant town centre. Our work aims to reflect the same value, so it is a privilege to bring our construction expertise to the development of this new and exciting town hub.” Despite a vigorous search and engagement process where a long list of national traders had been approached to find a retailer to occupy the store as it is, no one has stepped forward as the current unit is too large for most traders in a town centre the size of Newark. Cost increases were predicted but will not affect the ability to deliver the project which continues to be supported by government grants. Work on the site is set to take place in late summer this year. The construction phase is likely to begin around Christmas 2023 with completion in summer 2025. The Stodman Street development is one of many projects being funded by Newark Towns Board’s successful application to the Government’s Towns Fund initiative. It is being delivered by Newark and Sherwood District Council whose aim it is to breathe new life in Newark town centre. Other projects include the £3m restoration of Newark Castle and a £2.1m Cultural Heart project aiming to provide a varied and exciting events programme alongside investments to improve the town centre even further.

Northampton logistics company acquires local parcel and pallets business

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Northampton logistics company acquires local parcel and pallets business
A Northampton logistics specialist has swooped for a local parcel and pallets company. Crisis Logistics has acquired Action Express as part of its growth plans, as the company looks to expand its portfolio of services. Established as a same day delivery specialist in 1998, Crisis Logistics has developed its service offering to include warehousing and fulfilment, alongside national and international road haulage. The company plans to retain Action Express’s Brackmills Industrial Estate depot and make key investments in the site and its facilities as it increases the volume of pallets and parcels it handles. It has already purchased 10 new vehicles for Action Express, including seven articulated lorries and three 18-tonne trucks, and plans to create new jobs as it grows the company. Action Express founder and former APC Overnight Chief Executive, Syed Ziaullah, who established the company in 1982 with just a bike and a van, will join the board of directors at Crisis Logistics. Charles Grant-Salmon, chairman at Crisis Logistics, said: “As part of our growth strategy we are expanding our business and developing Crisis Logistics into the market leader and one-stop shop for all logistics services in Northamptonshire. “The acquisition will benefit customers of both companies by enabling us to provide a full range of logistics services across pallets, parcels and general haulage, in addition to specialist services like temperature-controlled delivery and secure distribution. “We are delighted that Syed will join our board for the next five years to allow us to benefit from his wealth of knowledge and enable a smooth integration into Action Express’s new era.” Edward Grant-Salmon, Managing Director at Crisis Logistics, said: “We want to provide flexible solutions for our customers as they expand and diversify their own operations, and the acquisition of Action Express will allow us to do that. “The business is a perfect fit with our own operation, as we’re both well-established firms with a loyal long-term customer base, and we remain committed to providing the best experience for all of our customers. “In recent years, we have invested heavily in building a Customer Relationship Management system to improve efficiency and speed up processes, which has ensured we are in a strong position to grow while also maintaining the quality of service that is so important to our customers.” Caroline Green, Chief Executive at Pallet-Track, added: “We are delighted to be working with Crisis Logistics and would like to extend a warm Pallet-Track welcome to Charles, Edward and the whole team. “Action Express is a well-respected and long-term member of our network and we have every confidence that the new team will steer the business to great success in its new era.”

Motorcycle insurance firm appoints administrators

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Motorcycle insurance firm appoints administrators
Motorcycle insurance firm MCE Insurance Limited has been placed into administration by its directors. Mark Holborow, Vincent Green and Steven Edwards, of Crowe U.K. LLP, were named joint administrators on 17 July.
The Financial Conduct Authority said in a statement: “Having considered the firm’s financial position, its directors made a decision to place it into administration and on 17 July 2023, Mark Holborow, Vincent Green and Steven Edwards, all of Crowe U.K. LLP were appointed as joint administrators.” The Northamptonshire-based firm’s contact centre remains operational and will be overseen by the joint administrators. The Financial Conduct Authority added: “If you bought your insurance through MCE Insurance Limited, they acted as your insurance broker and you are insured by Sabre Insurance Company Limited…Sabre Insurance are not affected by this administration and your policy is still in force.”

Blueprint produced to shape Nottingham’s Eastside

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Blueprint produced to shape Nottingham’s Eastside
A blueprint for how the Eastside of Nottingham is developed in the coming years has been produced, underpinned by sustainability and protection of green spaces and heritage sites. A Supplementary Planning Document produced by the City Council will provide developers with a clear idea of what is expected for the area, which includes Sneinton Market and runs north-west to include Victoria Park and St Mary’s Rest Garden, parts of Lower Parliament Street and Glasshouse Street and Huntingdon Street as far as just below Woodborough Road. It provides a connection between the Victoria Centre, Hockley and Lace Market shopping areas and the communities of St Ann’s and Sneinton. It is also close to the Island Quarter and Waterside regeneration sites. As part of the Creative Quarter, the redevelopment of Sneinton Market and the Victoria Leisure Centre has created a vibrant centre for creative and digital economies which the new planning document aims to build from. All of these elements place Eastside as an important centre for regeneration. The new planning guidance states that the area presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the economic growth of the city, providing opportunities for a vibrant mix of new residential, business, shops, restaurants, leisure and cultural uses including the night-time economy. It is envisioned that there will be a variety of high quality housing, attractive to a wide range of households, well related to public realm and accessible to public open space and benefiting from good access to existing and new facilities. New and enhanced pedestrian routes will be created between the Eastside, city centre and adjoining neighbourhoods. The council will assemble existing and potential new sources of infrastructure funding to create high quality public realm and co-ordinate safe pedestrian, cyclist and traffic movement. All new development will be required to achieve a high standard of environmental sustainability and an appropriate balance in the type of housing. Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Planning, Councillor Angela Kandola, said: “Regeneration of the Eastside area aims to deliver high quality housing, attractive to a wide range of households, to promote mixed and balanced communities, improved public realm and enhance connections between the Eastside, the city centre and adjoining neighbourhoods. “In line with our ambitions to become carbon neutral by 2028, we also want to encourage a range of measures that developers can employ to reduce carbon in their development proposals. These relate to energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable design and construction.” The Eastside Supplementary Planning Document was approved for adoption by the council’s Executive Board when it met on Tuesday 18 July.

Inflation falls as fuel and food prices decrease

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Inflation falls as fuel and food prices decrease
UK inflation fell to 7.9% in June, according to the latest ONS figures, down from 8.7% in May and coming in below expectations. With hopes that this means a turning point for stubbornly high inflation, reduced motor fuel and food prices drove the decrease – the lowest inflation has been since March 2022. Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, was down from 7.1% to 6.9%. Commenting on June’s inflation figures, Editorial and Research Fellow at the free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, Professor Len Shackleton, said: “If last month’s 8.7 per cent annual increase in the CPI was unexpectedly high, this month’s 7.9 per cent is a shade lower than expected. This is mirrored in other indicators such as CPIH and core CPI. “Since these figures were tallied, Russia has ended a deal to allow grain exports from Ukraine, which will likely push up global and UK food prices. Mortgage rates have also gone up. Nevertheless, since the extraordinary increases in the money supply that ultimately fuel inflation have ended, inflation is set to fall further. “Rishi Sunak’s pledge to halve inflation by the end of the year may still be optimistic, but at least there are no grounds for the Bank of England to raise interest rates further. Nor are there any grounds for panic measures to hold down prices artificially, such as Grant Shapps’ silly initiative to curb supermarket petrol prices.”

Microlise Group helps raise over £15k at the inaugural Transaid Cup

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Microlise Group helps raise over £15k at the inaugural Transaid Cup

Microlise Group, a Nottingham-based provider of technology solutions, has helped raise over £15,000 in support of a new fundraising initiative: the Transaid Cup, for international development organisation, Transaid.

Working closely alongside the charity and Libra Consulting to organise the event which took place at Ilkeston Town Football Clubs’ Microlise Ground, employees also took to the pitch to compete against 12 other industry teams.

The tournament featured 13 teams in a 7-aside format, with Michelin Riverside going head-to-head with Michelin Factory in the final match, stealing the crown with an impressive victory. Other teams in attendance on the day included Dawsongroup, Goodyear, GXO, Kinaxia, Lytx, MAN, MEP Hire, and RHA.

Microlise customer, Creed Foodservice, made a sizeable donation of food and drinks, which players and spectators were able to purchase, with all proceeds going directly to Transaid. Employ Recruitment also provided sponsorship to support the event.

All money raised will directly support Transaid’s mission to transform lives through safe, available, and sustainable transport, by improving road safety and access to healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa.

The charity works closely with local communities, government agencies, and the private sector to develop sustainable transportation systems and advocate for policy changes that enhance mobility and improve road safety.

The Transaid Cup offered multiple avenues for participation, including team registrations, spectating, volunteering, and company sponsorship. Its JustGiving page is still open for donations.

Speaking on the event, Nadeem Raza, Microlise Group’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Transaid and Libra Consulting on this dynamic fundraising initiative, to engage with the transport and logistics industry and rally support for Transaid’s life-saving work.

“The event not only offered an exciting day of sporting competition but also the opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause. By raising funds through the Transaid Cup, we have helped Transaid to expand its reach and deliver essential transport solutions to those who need them the most.”

Caroline Barber, Chief Executive at Transaid, added: “We are incredibly grateful to Transaid’s long-term corporate partner Microlise, and the team at Libra Consulting for the level of effort put into making the inaugural Transaid Cup such a great success.

“We would also like to thank the event sponsors for their generous donations, Ilkeston Town F.C. for hosting the tournament, and all the individuals in the teams that participated. The funds raised will contribute significantly to sustaining and developing our programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, ensuring professional drivers can safely leave for a day’s work, and people can access healthcare when they need it most.”

Chesterfield to bridge the skills gap with businesses

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Chesterfield to bridge the skills gap with businesses

A new plan which is designed to boost skills and career opportunities for local people has been launched by Chesterfield Borough Council.

The new Skills Action Plan sets out a variety of partnership initiatives – working with local agencies and businesses – to help bridge the skills gap.

It includes new projects that are designed to provide training and support for local people to improve their skills and access a wider range of career opportunities. The plan also establishes a new Skills and Employment Partnership which aims to put employers at the heart of local skills development and ensure local people are developing the right skills to access new opportunities.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “This new plan and partnership aims to deliver our objective of creating a thriving borough where everyone can benefit from a growing local economy.

“We want to ensure that local people have the skills to progress in their careers or access new opportunities as they become available. Working closely with businesses is key to achieving our aims because we need to ensure that we are helping local people develop the skills that employers need.

“Our action plan introduces a range of new programmes and initiatives that will help people of all ages to boost their skills and develop new careers. We will be working with lots of delivery partners including education providers, employers, voluntary sector organisations and other councils, to ensure these programmes meet the needs of local people.”

The action plan sets out 12 areas of action across six themes including, Young People, Ambitions and Connections to Work, Increasing Higher Level Skills, Barriers to Employment and Widening the Workforce, Anchor Organisation Project Opportunities, Sector Specific and Future Skills, and Skills Brokerage and Partnership.

Within each theme there are a series of activities and commitments, these include the expansion of the Careers Made In Chesterfield programme, delivering a digital inclusion and work readiness programme, and the creation of a workforce upskilling programme focussed on green and digital careers. These are just some of the many actions that the council will take over the next five years to realise the ambitious plan.

Michael Timmins, a director at AECOM and chair of the Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “To help the local economy continue to grow we need to work together to ensure people have the right skills and experience to access high quality jobs.

“I’m proud to chair the new partnership because it shows there is a strong commitment to listening to businesses and responding to their needs through skills development. I look forward to seeing the new programmes starting up and hope that lots of people will take these opportunities on.”

The Skills Action Plan will run from 2023 until 2027. It is just one of a range of projects and initiatives which is being funded through the UKSPF, after the council was successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives, until 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

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