April sees leap in inflation
Inflation increased in April, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The higher than expected uptick, measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), saw inflation come in at 3.5% in April, up from 2.6% in March.
The largest upward contributions to the change came from housing and household services, transport, and recreation and culture, while the largest, partially offsetting, downward contribution came from clothing and footwear.
Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, came in at 3.8% in the 12 months to April, up from 3.4% in March and above forecasts.
Martin Sartorius, principal economist, CBI, said: “April’s rise in inflation was widely expected, driven by a perfect storm of price pressures such as higher employer National Insurance contributions, the National Living Wage increase, and a hike in the Ofgem price cap.
“Looking ahead, the Bank of England expects that inflation will stay above 3% this year, as these pressures continue to impact households’ cost of living. This suggests that the Monetary Policy Committee is likely to hold rates in its next meeting, especially after May’s finely balanced decision to cut.
“Beyond then, the MPC will reduce borrowing costs at a gradual pace, as it assesses how price pressures are developing in the economy.”
Strategic university-business alliance to boost skills and innovation
The University of Bedfordshire has formally partnered with the Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, and Bedfordshire Chambers of Commerce, aiming to deepen collaboration between academia and industry across the region.
Under the new agreement, businesses will gain access to the University’s research capabilities, academic consultancy, and talent development programmes. The partnership will offer professional development opportunities, including Masters by Research pathways for employees of member businesses.
For the University, the alliance is designed to enhance student employability by embedding real-world experience into the curriculum. This includes internships, guest lectures, industry-informed teaching, and input into course development through industry panels.
The initiative is aligned with the University’s Career Powered Education model and reflects a broader goal of fostering inclusive economic growth through research, innovation, and skills development. Businesses will also benefit from bespoke research, strategic support, and joint initiatives tailored to local economic priorities.
The Chambers represent a significant portion of the business community across Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Milton Keynes, with a combined membership spanning thousands of companies across sectors.
Council seeks new contractor after delays in Grimsby bridge project
North East Lincolnshire Council is terminating its contract with Spencer Group to refurbish Grimsby’s Corporation Road Bridge, citing unacceptable delays in the £5 million project. The council is seeking a new contractor to complete the remaining work, including restoring the Grade II-listed bridge’s lifting mechanism.
The project began in 2023 and had involved wrapping the structure in protective sheeting during restoration. While much of the bridge has recently been unveiled, the final stages have been hindered by unforeseen rust and deterioration that required additional surveys and extended the timeline.
Spencer Group expressed disappointment at the termination and attributed delays to unforeseen conditions that increased workload and costs. The council, however, has signalled a need to expedite completion and is prioritising the appointment of a new specialist firm to reopen the bridge as soon as possible.
Strong momentum continues at Staffline
Strong momentum experienced in 2024 has continued at Staffline, the Nottingham recruitment group has stated in a trading update.
The business has delivered a 6.2% increase in gross profit for the first four months of 2025 compared to the prior year, driven by a year-on-year uplift in temporary worker hours in Recruitment GB, up 6.6% over the same period.
This performance has been followed by the announcement of a substantial new contract with a leading logistics company which has materially enhanced the board’s expectations of group performance over the next three years.
Staffline noted that is it “confident that trading across FY 2025 is on track to deliver results in line with recently revised management expectations, as the Group’s scale and reputation for service excellence continues to deliver further market share gains.”
Vistry appoints MD for newly formed North Midlands business unit
Vistry, the provider of mixed-tenure homes, has appointed Dave Bradley as the managing director of its new North Midlands regional business unit.
Dave brings with him a wealth of experience in the house building sector, having held key positions at Owl Homes/Partnerships, Piper Homes and Persimmon. He has a deep understanding of the wider region and strong relationships with many of Vistry’s partners and supply chain.
Adam Daniels, executive chair at Vistry Group, said: “I am thrilled to welcome Dave to the Vistry team. His extensive experience and leadership will invaluable as he continues Vistry’s work to deliver exceptional developments, providing thousands of mixed-tenure homes for the region.”
Dave Bradley, managing director for Vistry North Midlands, said: “I am delighted to join the newly formed North Midlands Vistry region, there is a great team and lots of new land opportunities. I am looking forward to leading the team and delivering lots of excellent developments.”
Dave will be steering the newly formed North Midlands team, combining teams from the former North East Midlands and North Central Midlands, as it builds thousands of mixed-tenure homes across the region including: 525 homes at Great Haddon, 362 homes at Garvey Glade, Bestwood, 333 homes at Fairham, Nottingham, 457 homes at Redhill, Telford, and 402 homes at Edwalton, Nottingham.
Dave is looking forward to partnering with housing associations, local authorities and PRS providers on these projects, including Citizen, GreenSquareAccord, Homes England, Legal & General’s Suburban Build-to-Rent platform (‘LGSBTR’), Midland Heart, MTVH, Platform Housing, Rooftop Housing, Sigma, Placefirst, Gatehouse Bank, SAGE/Leaf and Wrekin Housing Group.
New principal and CEO appointed at Leicester College
Following the departure of Verity Hancock this summer, Leicester College has announced that Shabir Ismail has been appointed as the new principal and CEO.
Shabir brings many years of valuable experience to this role and has demonstrated his dedication to the College, and more widely to Leicester, during his tenure as acting principal.
Shabir will officially take up the post on 19 August when Verity formally leaves the role. Until then, he will continue to serve as acting principal, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity in the College’s operations.
Shabir said: “I am truly honoured and humbled to be appointed as Principal and CEO of the College. I want to thank the Board and the entire College community for their trust and support. As Acting Principal, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an incredibly dedicated and talented team.
“I look forward to continuing this journey with you all, building on our shared successes, and striving together to make an even greater impact for our students, staff, and the wider Leicester community.”
“I’d encourage other businesses to get involved with an entry, to showcase your business and the impact it is making in the industry” – East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
With nominations now open for Business Link Magazine’s East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, taking place on Thursday 2nd October, last year’s ‘Deal of the Year’ winner is reflecting on the prestigious event and encouraging firms to enter.
Robert Maxey, partner at heb Surveyors, said: “It was an honour to take home the Deal of the Year award at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, especially because the other nominees in the category were so strong! It was extremely pleasing to see recognition of our team’s efforts and the event provided a great boost to morale.
“Celebrating excellence in our region’s property and construction sector, and offering a great chance to catch up with local professionals, I’d encourage other businesses to get involved with an entry, to showcase your business and the impact it is making in the industry.”
Marking 10 years of the event, this year’s eagerly anticipated awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 2nd October at Nottingham’s famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards celebrates the successes of property and construction companies in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire.
Recognising those behind the changing landscape of the East Midlands, the occasion highlights development projects, businesses, 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. It also toasts the work of architects, agencies, and those behind large schemes.
Welcoming almost 150 professionals, nominating a company or project for the awards is a great way to showcase your successes, recognise your team’s efforts, and reach our audience of over 60,000 business readers, while also offering a chance to connect with respected professionals. And better yet, it’s completely free to enter!
Making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the event, where you’ll be in the running for one of our coveted awards.
New for this year, all entrants will also have the opportunity to be featured on our dedicated nominee showcase on the East Midlands Business Link website, providing space for marketing your achievements. Upon submitting a nomination, we will get in touch for any information, imagery, and video nominees would like to be featured on their showcase page.
With a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remaining, please contact Angie Cooper at a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk to learn more if you are interested in becoming an East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 sponsor.
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:
To be held at:
With a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remaining, please contact Angie Cooper at a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk to learn more if you are interested in becoming an East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 sponsor. East Midlands Mayor reveals vision for hundreds of thousands of jobs, new homes and £4.6bn economic boost
Hundreds of thousands of jobs, a £4.6bn boost to the regional economy and 52,000 new homes are at the heart of Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward’s roadmap for growth to be launched this week.
The new vision for development across the East Midlands is being revealed at UKREiiF in Leeds, the UK’s biggest investment and infrastructure expo, which attracts more than 15,000 delegates from business and government.
It joins the dots between a series of massive development opportunities across the region covered by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), which range from the £410m nuclear fusion project at West Burton to major commercial and residential projects in Derby and Nottingham and new opportunities for the region’s towns.
The Vision also includes the UK’s only inland freeport and incentivised enterprise zones in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Together, the developments in the new East Midlands Spatial Vision will create 100,000 full time jobs, deliver 52,000 new homes, boost the East Midlands economy by £4.6 billion, and unlock 4.2 million square metres of commercial space.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “I am proud of the region the East Midlands is. We are – simultaneously – a £55 billion economy, a world-leading centre for manufacturing and technology, a place of astonishing natural beauty, and a region of internationally resonant heritage.
“However, pride is not passive, and our Vision for Growth shows what this region has the potential to become. This potential will be realised through a set of substantial commercial development opportunities that we will be sharing at UKREiiF.
“We are focusing on three in particular: the Trent Arc, which connects Nottingham and Derby, the Canal Corridor, which spans Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, and the Supercluster, which focuses on three of our decommissioned power stations. These opportunities are a path to prosperity that builds on our existing, unique assets – and I look forward to sharing them with you.”
The Vision has been drawn up with the support of Areli Group, the investment and development specialist whose team has delivered a series of successful landmark schemes across the UK, including the internationally-renowned regeneration of Battersea Power Station in London.
Areli Group CEO Rob Tincknell said: “This is the most significant vision project we’ve been involved in. When you look at the East Midlands’ industrial strengths, the development assets it has, and the fact that it’s now got a Mayor leading from the front, then this is one of the UK’s most deliverable growth opportunities.
“The UK needs to think bigger than ‘development-as-usual’ and that’s exactly what the East Midlands is doing – taking 14 individual investment opportunities and turning them into one connected project broken down into 14 parts.”
Since her election a year ago, Mayor Claire Ward has announced ongoing investments in the East Midlands economy totalling £538m including transport, regeneration projects, investment zones and an investment fund.
With the Spatial Vision, the Mayor, Areli and EMCCA have come up with a total of 14 growth opportunities covering energy, industry, transport, placemaking and the region’s growing visitor economy. They include:
Trent Arc – covering Nottingham and Derby city centres, Ratcliffe-on-Soar and Willington power station sites, South Derbyshire Growth Zone, Infinity Park Investment Zone near Rolls-Royce, East Midlands Intermodal Park near Toyota, and the Toton & Chetwynd area.
Supercluster – West Burton Power Station (which will host the pioneering nuclear STEP Fusion pilot) and Cottam and High Marnham power station sites.
Canal Corridor – Chesterfield town centre and its mainline rail station, Explore Park Investment Zone, Markham Vale Enterprise Zone, Hartington & Staveley investment zone.
The Vision also includes emerging proposals for the sustainable expansion of the visitor economy around the Peak District National Park and the Derbyshire Dales, a new destination for leisure, living and business near the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, renewal projects in the towns and villages at the heart of the region, and The Loop – a 150-mile trail connecting the East Midlands’ landscape, character, culture and heritage.
Amy Harhoff, CEO of EMCCA, said: “This vision brings forward a series of logical and coherent development opportunities and a joined-up approach to delivery where we will support investors, partners and developers all the way.
“The East Midlands economy has the advanced manufacturing and clean energy opportunities that are going to be vital to the UK’s future growth. We’re ready to harness that heft and work with partners to deliver.”
Mayor Claire added: “With the EMCCA team, I’m at UKREiiF to start conversations with development partners who can help us deliver on the huge potential of a hyper-connected region that will have a major role to play in the UK’s future economic growth.”
Director disqualified for 11 years after dishonestly securing Covid loan
The director of a plumbing and heating company has been banned for 11 years after overstating his company’s turnover by hundreds of thousands of pounds to secure a Covid Bounce Back loan.
Carl Barnes was the director of Central Plumbing & Heating Lincoln Ltd, which was incorporated in April 2016.
The company, based on Wavell Drive in Lincoln, made a small profit in its first year of trading, but dormant accounts were filed by Barnes in the following years.
In August 2020, the 45-year-old falsely claimed the company had a turnover of £340,000 for 2019, despite the actual turnover being £0.
He received a Covid Bounce Back loan for the company of £47,500 which it was not entitled to.
Barnes was disqualified as a director for 11 years, with the ban beginning on 8 May 2025.
Kevin Read, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “Carl Barnes exploited the Bounce Back Loan Scheme by providing false information about his company’s turnover.
“His dishonesty has resulted in this significant director disqualification, which prevents him from forming or managing a company for more than a decade.
“The Insolvency Service will continue to investigate those who abused this scheme – designed to help small businesses during the pandemic – and bring them to justice.”
Central Plumbing & Heating Lincoln Ltd went into liquidation in October 2022. The disqualification order prevents Barnes from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.UK-EU trade relations improve as summit delivers practical wins for exporters
The UK-EU summit in London has delivered tangible benefits for businesses, particularly exporters, marking a shift toward more stable and cooperative trade relations.
Business groups, including the CBI, British Chambers of Commerce, and the Federation of Small Businesses, welcomed new measures that reduce red tape, particularly for food and drink exports. The agreement includes a permanent deal to ease checks on agri-food products moving in both directions, which is expected to cut costs, minimise waste, and boost competitiveness.
The summit also signalled progress on longstanding issues affecting business operations. These include early commitments on a youth mobility scheme, alignment of emissions trading systems, and discussions on mutual recognition of professional qualifications—all moves that could ease operational burdens and reduce friction for UK firms trading with the EU.
Simplified rules for exporting plant and animal products are expected to benefit small businesses, while ongoing conversations about business mobility and border efficiency aim to ease delays and support supply chain resilience.
Industry bodies broadly agreed that while the deal does not resolve all challenges, it sets a more constructive tone for future engagement and practical cooperation on cross-border trade.
