Landmark lease agreement to see £80m logistics hub built in Leicestershire
Merger strengthens Duncan & Toplis’s footprint in Leicester
Leicester-based accountancy firm Torr Waterfield is set to merge with Duncan & Toplis, expanding the latter’s presence in the Midlands. Subject to regulatory approval, the merger will see Torr Waterfield rebrand under the Duncan & Toplis name.
Founded in 2000, Torr Waterfield provides tax, accountancy, and business advisory services. All 60 staff members, including the firm’s co-founders, will remain in their roles, and the Clarence Street office in Leicester will become part of Duncan & Toplis’s regional network.
The merger is part of Torr Waterfield’s strategic growth plan to enhance service capabilities and client reach. For Duncan & Toplis, it marks another step in its expansion strategy following the February acquisition of North London-based ALG.
Duncan & Toplis has been in business since 1925 and operates 13 offices across the Midlands and London. This latest integration underscores its focus on regional consolidation and investment in experienced teams.
Trade deals open new export pathways for East Midlands sectors
Businesses in the East Midlands are poised to benefit from three major trade agreements recently finalised by the UK Government with India, the United States, and the European Union.
The region’s aerospace sector employs over 23,000 people and is among the primary beneficiaries. The removal of US tariffs on UK aerospace exports and the reduction of Indian tariffs on advanced machinery and medical devices are expected to strengthen supply chains and improve export margins for companies such as Rolls-Royce and other regional employers.
Agricultural producers, supporting over 30,000 jobs in the East Midlands, are also expected to gain from reduced red tape and easier access to the EU market. The new agreement cuts customs checks and other administrative burdens, simplifying cross-border trade for food producers and manufacturers.
Steel businesses employing more than 2,000 people in the region will benefit from continued protections on British exports to the EU, shielding them from restrictive tariffs and trade barriers.
New opportunities are emerging for East Midlands exporters targeting the Indian market. In 2024, 740 regional businesses exported goods worth £308 million to India. The new UK-India deal eliminates import duties on several goods, expanding market access, particularly for the fashion and consumer goods sectors.
The deals across these sectors are expected to foster greater trade stability, attract inward investment, and protect existing jobs while opening up new commercial opportunities in global markets.
Uber launches courier service for business deliveries in Leicester and beyond
Uber has rolled out a new courier service across the UK, including Sheffield, aimed at individuals and small businesses needing fast, local deliveries. The new feature, Uber Courier, is now available through the Uber app and allows users to send and receive items up to 15 lbs in weight and under £200 in value.
Currently, the service is available in cities such as Sheffield, Glasgow, Oxford, Edinburgh, Leicester, and Belfast. By summer, it is expected to reach 20 locations. Upcoming rollouts include key business hubs such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Bristol.
Designed to support sectors like retail, legal services, and independent boutiques, Uber Courier enables SMEs to manage local deliveries on demand without traditional logistics contracts. Features such as real-time tracking, PIN code verification, and shareable updates for recipients support deliveries.
Uber Courier integrates directly into the existing app, offering a streamlined delivery solution that helps small businesses maintain customer satisfaction while staying flexible and cost-effective.
Contruction underway on state of the art visitor centre at Bennerley Viaduct
Hospital trust targets major agency staff cuts in cost-saving drive
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust (UHDB) is implementing aggressive cost-cutting measures to save £67 million by the end of March 2026. Among the key initiatives is a reduction in agency staff expenditure by a minimum of 30%, a 10% cut in bank staffing costs, and a £3.3 million decrease in corporate expenses.
The trust previously achieved £62.7 million in savings in 2024/25 but acknowledges that further reductions are needed to meet national financial expectations for NHS trusts. The move forms part of a broader effort to address ongoing budgetary pressures and enhance operational efficiency.
The trust has positioned these changes as part of a broader push across the NHS to deliver better taxpayer value while maintaining quality care. There is an emphasis on using resources more effectively rather than compromising safety or performance.
Trade unions, including Unison, have expressed willingness to collaborate with the trust to ensure changes are implemented fairly and safely for both staff and patients.
Translink Express secures £5m logistics deal with Ramon Hygiene
Translink Express Logistics has signed a five-year agreement valued at £5 million to continue providing logistics and warehousing services for Ramon Hygiene Products. The Leicester-based hygiene supplier relies on Translink Express to manage daily pallet shipments across the UK, which range from 100 to 150 fully tracked units destined for supermarkets, wholesalers, and distribution centres.
The renewed contract extends a partnership that began in 2007 and includes warehousing support for Ramon Hygiene’s extensive product range. Translink Express operates from its Narborough headquarters and a 62,000 sq. ft. storage and distribution facility in Whetstone.
The company’s logistics capabilities are strengthened through its membership in the Pallet-Track network, which enables national coverage through a network of shareholder members. The deal is the largest in Translink’s history and reflects its role as a key B2B logistics partner for growing enterprises.
Both firms are locally based and family-run, reinforcing a regional supply chain partnership that supports national distribution. The contract positions Translink Express to scale its operations with Ramon Hygiene’s growth, while offering consistent service delivery across the UK.
Leicester business expands with a tasty acquisition
Gateley RJA secures Eastern Procurement framework appointment
Viridis backs ‘Sustainable Development of the Year’ at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

To make a nomination for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, please click here.
Supporting imagery, video, documents, or links to these, can be sent to bricks@blmgroup.co.uk. Video nomination pitches are also welcome as an alternative or companion to written entries. Categories include:- Contractor of the Year
- Developer of the Year
- Architects of the Year
- Most Active Agent
- Deal of the Year
- Residential Development of the Year
- Sustainable Development of the Year
- Commercial Development of the Year
- Excellence in Design
- Responsible Business of the Year
- Overall Winner
Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:








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