Connect with property and construction professionals at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

Tess Egginton
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Connect with property and construction professionals at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025
With judging underway for the 10th annual East Midlands Bricks Awards, book your tickets for the highly anticipated event taking place on Thursday 2nd October. Recognising and celebrating those behind the changing landscape of our region – the very best companies, teams, individuals and projects – the event showcases the exceptional work carried out across the East Midlands over the past 12 months. The awards further present a perfect networking opportunity, with the leaders of property and construction businesses from across the East Midlands in attendance. The event will additionally feature Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands, as keynote speaker. Attend the glittering awards ceremony at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agent, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, sponsored by SEV, will also be awarded a grand prize – a year of marketing/publicity with Business Link worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.

Tickets can be booked here.

The event will begin at 4:30pm with networking and continue until 7:30pm, with additional time thereafter for connecting and celebrating. Complementary drinks and nibbles will be served on arrival. Dress code is standard business dress.

With the shortlist now announced, see who the finalists are here.

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 Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with property and construction professionals while applauding the exceptional companies and projects in the region. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                                              

To be held at:

East Midlands to trial GPS-based rail ticketing

April Lara
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East Midlands to trial GPS-based rail ticketing

Train operators in the East Midlands are launching a trial of digital ticketing technology that tracks journeys using GPS and automatically applies the lowest available fare. The initiative allows passengers to check in via a mobile app, travel without pre-booking, and receive a barcode for inspections or barrier access.

The pilot will run on services between Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, with an expected 4,000 participants. Northern Trains in Yorkshire will join the scheme later this month. The system aims to replace paper tickets and QR-based mobile tickets, streamlining fare collection and reducing the need for planning.

The Department for Transport is leading the programme, citing previous successful trials in Switzerland, Denmark, and Scotland. The scheme aligns with broader efforts to simplify the UK rail fare system, improve passenger convenience, and integrate new technology.

Rail operators are preparing for wider adoption if the pilot proves effective. East Midlands Railway has reported over 500 registrations for the trial, highlighting commercial interest in solutions that simplify fares and enhance the customer experience.

The project forms part of ongoing government and industry discussions on modernising ticketing, including proposals for nationalised Great British Railways and future reforms intended to guarantee best-value fares.

Nottingham businesses gain access to new growth and digital support

April Lara
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Nottingham businesses gain access to new growth and digital support

Businesses in Nottingham now have access to a series of programmes designed to support growth, digital adoption, and sustainability. The Nottingham Accelerator initiative, delivered by East Midlands Chamber on behalf of Nottingham City Council, will run until 31 March 2026. The project has received £124,982 in funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to support local firms in innovating, adopting technology, reducing their carbon impact, and achieving sustainability targets.

Support under the programme includes workshops, one-to-one guidance, consultancy, and funding. Digital Transformation advisers offer tailored advice on artificial intelligence, technology adoption, process improvement, and energy efficiency through complimentary audits and decarbonisation webinars. Businesses can apply for growth vouchers of up to £2,000 to access specialist consultancy or training aimed at improving processes, adopting new technologies, and advancing sustainability initiatives.

The Autumn 2025 programme includes sessions covering the use of ChatGPT for business, an introduction to Vibe Coding, Microsoft 365 CoPilot for business users, harnessing AI for business applications, and mastering graphic design using Canva and Adobe Express. Following engagement with participating firms, East Midlands Chamber will establish an AI forum to identify growth opportunities and support businesses as they progress on their digital transformation journeys.

Smiley Monroe opens Derbyshire depot to speed up UK deliveries

April Lara
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Smiley Monroe opens Derbyshire depot to speed up UK deliveries

Smiley Monroe, a global conveyor belt supplier headquartered in Northern Ireland, has launched a new distribution facility in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. The depot will hold full rolls and cut lengths of flat and chevron conveyor belts, offering next-day delivery and same-day collection for UK customers.

The move responds to increased demand from service companies and other clients in Great Britain, where faster lead times were previously limited by distribution from Northern Ireland. The Midlands location positions Smiley Monroe closer to its GB customer base, improving supply chain efficiency and turnaround times.

Founded in 1979, Smiley Monroe operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in the UK, USA, and India. The company supplies conveyor belts to equipment manufacturers across the construction, recycling, and environmental sectors. The UK expansion is part of broader growth plans and a strategy to maintain close connections with key customers.

Bowmer + Kirkland acquires Denton to expand fit-out capabilities

April Lara
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Bowmer + Kirkland acquires Denton to expand fit-out capabilities

Bowmer + Kirkland Group, a Derbyshire-based construction and development company with a £1.25 billion turnover, has acquired Denton, a UK office fit-out specialist. The move strengthens Bowmer + Kirkland’s position in commercial interiors and workplace solutions.

Denton has operated for 30 years, delivering CAT A, CAT A+ and CAT B office fit-outs across the UK, generating £40 million in revenue. Under Bowmer + Kirkland, Denton gains access to national resources, expanded project capacity and greater operational scale, enabling delivery of larger, more complex contracts while maintaining its established standards and client-focused approach.

Bowmer + Kirkland has more than 100 years of heritage in construction and development, prioritising quality, long-term investment in people, and family ownership. The acquisition aligns with the company’s strategy to broaden its service offerings in office design, fit-outs, and workplace solutions that support collaboration, wellbeing and efficiency nationwide.

Platform colleagues take to the skies for NSPCC

Tess Egginton
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Platform colleagues take to the skies for NSPCC
A group of fearless colleagues from Platform Housing Group are set to swap solid ground for the clouds next month, all in the name of charity. On Friday 5 September, eight colleagues will be jumping from Brackley Airfield in Northamptonshire as part of a daring charity skydive to raise vital funds for the NSPCC, Platform’s corporate charity partner for 2025/26. The team has already raised £2,650 ahead of the big day; each colleague has a target of £395, with all monies going directly to support the NSPCC’s work protecting children and supporting families across the UK. Last year, Platform colleagues raised thousands through a similar skydive for Dementia UK – the housing association’s corporate charity for 2024/25 – with the event proving to be one of the organisation’s most popular fundraising challenges. Chris Pinson-Bradley, community engagement manager at Platform Housing Group and the organiser of the event, said: “It’s not every day you decide to jump out of a plane, but knowing it’s for such an important cause makes it all worthwhile. We’ve had such brilliant support from colleagues, family and friends and we can’t wait for the big day.” Those taking part are organiser Chris Pinson-Bradley, community engagement manager; Ashley McAllister, customer experience advisor; Bryan Richert, home ownership officer; Gill Murphy, retirement housing officer; Heidi Bumphrey, supported living service manager; Jodie Downton, supported living operations manager; Karen Gammon, rent officer and Lindsey Norris, external contracts delivery coordinator. This challenge is just one of the many fundraising activities colleagues are taking on for the NSPCC, which was announced as Platform’s corporate charity of the year in April. Every £4 raised could help answer a child’s call or message for help to Childline; £5 could help pay for a practitioner to answer a call to the NSPCC helpline. To support the team and donate, please visit the fundraising page at Platform Housing Group – fundraising for NSPCC (2025-26) is fundraising for NSPCC

Time Out: Steve Souch, managing director at 3RS IT Solutions

Tess Egginton
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Time Out: Steve Souch, managing director at 3RS IT Solutions
It’s Friday, and the weekend is just around the corner. That means it is time to kick up your feet and relax with some quick fire questions. This ‘Time Out’ features Steve Souch, managing director at 3RS IT Solutions, who in another life might have been an electrician. What is the first thing you do to get the weekend started? The laptop gets shut, the emails stop, and I swap the working week for family time. What is your hobby? I really enjoy listening to podcasts. It’s a mix of learning and unwinding – sometimes it’s business and motivation; other times it’s comedy or storytelling. What is your favourite movie? Gone in 60 Seconds – without a doubt. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it, but it never gets old – and of course one of my favourite actors is Nicolas Cage. If you hadn’t been successful at what you do, what would you be doing instead as a career? If it hadn’t been IT, I’d probably be an electrician. I’ve always liked problem-solving, so I think I would have found myself there, one way or another. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? It has to be freezing time. Watching my children grow up as quickly as they have makes you realise how fast life moves. If I could pause those special moments and hold onto them a little longer, I would. What is your secret talent? Probably cooking. Most people don’t have me down as someone who enjoys being in the kitchen, but I actually love it. Whether it’s experimenting with new recipes or just cooking for family, it’s something that gives me a lot of joy. What is your favourite genre of music? Indie Rock all the way. Hands down, it has to be Blink 182. Their music has been the soundtrack to so many moments in my life – and you just can’t beat the energy of their songs. If you could travel to any moment in time, where would you go? I’d head straight back to the 80s. The music, the fashion, the energy of that era just seemed electric. Plus, no smartphones – people were present in the moment, living it properly, and I think that’s something we’ve lost a bit today.

Mobilitas Group acquires NRS Healthcare product division

April Lara
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Mobilitas Group acquires NRS Healthcare product division

Mobilitas Group has completed the acquisition of the Product Sales Division of Nottingham Rehab Limited, operating as NRS Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of mobility aids and daily living products. The move follows NRS Healthcare entering liquidation on 1 August 2025.

The acquisition is limited to the Product Sales Division. All other operations of NRS Healthcare, including ICES and TECS, remain independent and are not part of Mobilitas Group.

Through the acquisition, Mobilitas Group gains access to a portfolio of over 13,000 products ranging from basic daily living aids to advanced assistive technologies. The deal also includes the Complete Care Shop brand, an experienced workforce, and existing public sector, private wholesale, and export partnerships.

The Product Sales Division will continue its membership with the British Healthcare Trades Association and maintain adherence to the Trading Standards Institute’s Code of Practice, in line with Mobilitas Group’s existing mobility brands, which include CareCo and Motion Healthcare.

Founded in Nottingham in 1947, NRS Healthcare has a 75-year history in supporting independent living. The acquisition enables Mobilitas Group to integrate the Product Sales Division into its operations while preserving service continuity for customers and leveraging growth opportunities across the UK and international markets.

John Lewis Partnership scales UK build-to-rent operations

April Lara
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John Lewis Partnership scales UK build-to-rent operations

The John Lewis Partnership has added Stratford Studios in East London to its build-to-rent operations, taking the total number of homes managed for Aberdeen Investments to nearly 1,000. Stratford Studios contains 158 studio apartments developed in 2022 and will be managed by JLP from 1 September.

JLP’s BTR business was launched to operate and manage rental homes across the UK. Existing sites include Clarendon Quarter in Leeds, with 326 units, Queen Street Quarter in Leicester, with 232 units, and Landrow Place in Birmingham, with 259 units. All properties are owned by Aberdeen Investments, which has nearly 30 years of experience in residential property and has invested alongside JLP in a £500 million joint venture.

The partnership is also pursuing new developments. Approved projects include Bromley, where 353 rental units will be added above a redeveloped Waitrose store, and West Ealing, where 428 units have been cleared following a planning appeal. A former warehouse in Reading is being considered for conversion, and additional centrally located brownfield sites are in the planning stage.

Stratford Studios was converted from offices to residential use, incorporating communal spaces for work and social interaction. Its location near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park offers access to public transport, shopping, and leisure amenities.

JLP has recruited leadership with experience from major developers including Regal, Berkeley Homes, and Greystar, supporting operational growth and improved service standards across its managed properties.

Leicester fit-out and joinery specialist awarded super prime London residential contract

Tess Egginton
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Leicester fit-out and joinery specialist awarded super prime London residential contract
Leicester-headquartered fit-out and joinery specialists, EE Smith Contracts, has been awarded a prestigious contract to deliver the fit-out of 12 super-prime houses near London’s Regent’s Park. Following the completion of the concrete frame and basement by a specialist contractor, EE Smith Contracts will deliver the envelope and full fit-out of the 52 Avenue Road project, which is being developed by Domvs London in a joint venture with Select Group Ltd. The contract value is expected to be in excess of £60m. The super-luxury residential scheme comprises three terraces of four five-storey homes, each featuring winter gardens on the roof terraces with private lift access, with views over Regent’s Park and Central London. The development also includes a basement with health and wellness amenities for residents, including a 25m swimming pool, gym, treatment rooms and residents’ lounge. Completion is expected in Q4 2026. Neil Bottrill, managing director of EE Smith Contracts, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Domvs on this prestigious scheme. “This gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase our skills at the very top end of the fit-out industry and to develop a long-term, collaborative relationship with our new client. “It also gives further vindication of the investment into the London office which we launched last year in order to provide a base for our Project-based staff and to further support the organic growth of the business over the coming years. “We continue to see many opportunities in the high-end fit out market and we are very well placed to take advantage of that.” Jon O’Brien, principal and founder of Domvs, added: “We are delighted to have secured the services of EE Smith following a long tender and evaluation process. “The quality of their team, from top down, and the standard of their final product aligned perfectly with our ‘best in class’ values. We are excited to deliver this scheme with EE Smith.”
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