Bassetlaw District Council calls out for sites for future development
Bassetlaw District Council is carrying out a ‘Call for Sites’ to give landowners, developers, site promoters and organisations an opportunity to submit sites they want to be considered for development in the district in the future.
Submissions can be for a range of new development including for all types of housing, businesses, renewable energy or nature recovery, community facilities and open space.
This will not affect or replace the council’s adopted Local Plan, which already sets out where housing and other developments are allowed to be built, and which areas should be protected in the district over the next 13 years.
Cllr Steve Scotthorne, cabinet member for identity, planning and place, said: “The Call for Sites is a valuable tool to ensure that all possible sites across the district are assessed for their potential for development.
“Anyone can suggest a site to us, and I would encourage everyone to get involved.”
The Council will include all submitted sites in the Land Availability Assessment and will assess if they are suitable for development.
The Call for Sites and site assessment process does not indicate that planning permission will be granted or suggest that sites are suitable for allocating in any future Local Plan.
The 12-week engagement runs from 12th June to 4th September 2025.
Beyond the balance sheet – the expanding role of today’s finance director: by Robert Anderson, partner at Streets Chartered Accountants
Robert Anderson, partner at Streets Chartered Accountants, delves into the evolution of the finance director’s role.
The role of the finance director or finance lead continues to evolve rapidly. As businesses face a perfect storm of geopolitical disruption, digital transformation, cyber threats and rising costs, finance leaders are stepping far beyond the boundaries of traditional reporting and compliance. Their remit now spans strategic insight, risk management and operational leadership.
New US trade tariffs: time to reassess your exposure
With Donald Trump now back in the White House and new US trade tariffs already announced, UK businesses, particularly those with US-facing supply chains or export markets, are being forced to re-evaluate their international exposure. For finance directors, this means quickly modelling cost increases, understanding margin pressures and scenario-planning the wider impact on pricing, procurement and revenue. Currency volatility and logistics disruption may also follow, requiring strong financial resilience and flexible forecasting.
Cyber threats and ransomware: more than an IT issue
Ransomware attacks and data breaches are becoming more frequent, more sophisticated and more financially damaging. Increasingly, finance teams themselves are being targeted by cybercriminals through invoice fraud, phishing and social engineering. Cyber risk has become a board-level issue, with finance directors playing a critical role in response planning, fraud controls and cyber insurance decisions. As the threat landscape intensifies, financial oversight and resilience planning must keep pace.
AI in finance: driving automation and deeper insight
Finance functions are rapidly adopting AI technologies to streamline processes, detect anomalies and provide richer, real-time insight. AI is being used for everything from invoice matching and expense processing to predictive forecasting and reporting. For finance leads, this shift offers a chance to free up time for value-added work while also introducing new responsibilities around data governance, integration and ethical use. The ability to harness AI effectively will increasingly separate progressive finance functions from reactive ones.
Rising employment costs and tax changes
The increase in Employers’ National Insurance contributions adds further pressure to cost bases already stretched by inflation, wage expectations and economic uncertainty. For finance teams, this means reviewing workforce models, optimising payroll strategies and ensuring compliance with evolving HMRC regulations. There’s a growing need to balance cost control with talent retention and investment in growth areas.
The expanding finance leadership remit
Finance directors today are expected to lead far beyond the finance department. Studies from the ACCA and others show that finance leaders are now increasingly responsible for areas like IT strategy, ESG reporting, operational risk and even HR and legal oversight. They are trusted advisers to business owners and boards shaping strategy, influencing transformation and helping drive long-term performance.
Supporting strategic finance leadership
The finance function is no longer just about compliance it’s about enabling better decisions, safeguarding the business, and identifying opportunity amidst complexity. For many organisations without a formal CFO, the finance director is stepping into that strategic leadership space.
At Streets, we work with finance directors to support them through every stage from audit and tax planning to risk management, digital transformation and growth. Our aim is to help finance leaders confidently meet today’s demands and tomorrow’s challenges.
See this column in the June issue of East Midlands Business Link Magazine here.
Challenge Consulting MD awarded MBE in King’s Birthday Honours List 2025
Dawn Edwards, managing director of Challenge Consulting, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 for Services to the Business Community in Nottinghamshire.
A highly respected figure in the region’s business landscape, Dawn has dedicated her career to supporting and developing networks for businesses across Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands.
She has played a pivotal role in mentoring entrepreneurs, fostering leadership development, and championing business growth initiatives that have strengthened the local economy.
Speaking about the honour, Dawn said: “I am truly humbled to receive this recognition. Nottinghamshire has an incredible business community, and it has been a privilege to work alongside so many talented individuals and organisations.
“I never expected to receive such an honour and although it has my name on it, it is recognition for every person who has contributed to making our region a thriving hub for enterprise and innovation through volunteering or lending their time and expertise.”
Dawn was brought up in Calverton, the daughter of the local chimney sweep, and took her first job at the age of 16 as an apprentice at Wrangler UK. Study towards professional qualifications and roles at large organisations including Home Brewery in Daybrook gave her the confidence to start her own entrepreneurial journey, forming Challenge Consulting in 1996.
Her career has taken many twists and turns, and she uses her extensive knowledge, experience and network of contacts to advise and support others.
For over 9 years Dawn served as a board member for East Midlands Chamber, becoming it’s president in 2019/20 at the height of the Covid pandemic. She has recently been appointed as regional chair (East Midlands) across six counties for the Federation of Small Businesses to promote the interests of small businesses and ensure their voice is heard among policy makers.
Dawn’s commitment to business excellence, professional development, and community engagement has earned her widespread admiration. She has been instrumental in supporting SMEs, advocating for women in business, and driving initiatives that promote business success and sustainable growth.
Her MBE reflects the significant impact she has made in Nottinghamshire, inspiring countless business leaders, entrepreneurs and those who wish to make a difference. The King’s Birthday Honours List recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society, and Dawn Edwards’ award is a testament to her dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the business community.
Weak early summer for East Midlands manufacturers
East Midlands manufacturers have seen a poor early summer following the ongoing weaknesses in the UK economy. This has been compounded by global economic turmoil caused by the imposition of tariffs according to a major survey published by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO.
The second quarter Manufacturing Outlook survey showed that output in the region was flat at a balance of +0% which is low by historical standards, total orders also turned negative at a balance of -5%.
This poor performance in output has translated into weaker job prospects with recruitment intentions also turning negative (-5%). Meanwhile investment also showed no sign of growth at +0% as companies paused their plans in response to economic uncertainty.
Additionally, the survey has also shown that manufacturers’ opinion of the United States as a positive growth market for exports has fallen sharply, with the US slipping out of the top three global regions for the first time. The US has dropped to fourth place for UK manufacturers as preference is shown to Asia/Oceania and the Middle East as companies respond to tariffs and increased uncertainty.
A survey on the impact of tariffs conducted by Make UK also shows that six in ten companies expect their export volumes to the US to be hit, while a similar number (63%) expect their business to be negatively impacted by tariffs.
Furthermore, almost a third (30%) of companies are assessing changes to their supply chains in terms of where they source from, while more than a quarter (28%) are now seeking new markets. Just 4% of companies said they would now invest in manufacturing in the US.
The survey also reveals worsening prospects for manufacturers looking forward, with the manufacturing growth forecast for 2026 being slashed from a previous +1% to -0.5%. Meanwhile the growth forecast is expected to be negative this year (-0.2%) off the back of a flat year in 2024, this presents a worrying trend of decline.
Chris Corkan, Midlands Region Director of Make UK, said: “There is no sugar coating the fact that these are very challenging times for manufacturers in the East Midlands who are facing a potent mix of headwinds at home and overseas. It’s now vital that the upcoming Industrial Strategy is bold and ambitious in order to provide companies with some light at the end of the tunnel.”
Paul Fenner, Head of Manufacturing at BDO in the Midlands, added: “This quarter’s results demonstrate the increasingly challenging landscape manufacturers in the East Midlands are operating in.
“While last month’s trade deals should begin to remove barriers as UK companies seek new trading partners and opportunities for growth, there remains a myriad of challenges for the region – not least the urgent need for skilled workers.
“The sector’s overall forecasted decline in growth is concerning, what these businesses now need is targeted support and investment from the upcoming Industrial Strategy.”
Medical device packaging machinery firm snaps up 27,000 sq ft at Stud Brook Business Park
A newly built 27,000 sq ft industrial facility at Clowes Developments’ Stud Brook Business Park – Unit 5A – has been successfully let to Shawpak Ltd, a medical device packaging machinery firm.
Founded in Derby in 2013, Shawpak Ltd designs and manufactures a range of specialist packaging solutions including rotary thermoforming machines, rigid blister equipment, and pouch machinery. Their technology is trusted worldwide for the packaging of critical medical devices.
The company has a growing global footprint with service support in Europe and North America, while maintaining its core manufacturing base in the East Midlands.
Shawpak Ltd’s relocation from Allenton, Derby to this state-of-the-art unit at Stud Brook reflects the company’s continued expansion and future-focused outlook.
Approximately 50 employees will move into the new Castle Donington site, further strengthening the local economy and skills base.
Alan Wade, operations director at Shawpak Ltd, said: “This move marks an exciting new chapter for Shawpak Ltd. The facility at Stud Brook gives us the environment, infrastructure, and location we need to grow and innovate. We’re proud to remain in the East Midlands while upgrading our operational base.”
The transaction was facilitated by Charlotte Steggles, director at NG Chartered Surveyors, who added: “It’s fantastic to welcome Shawpak Ltd to Stud Brook Business Park.
“The unit delivers the high-quality specification required for their operations and offers excellent connectivity – with immediate access to East Midlands Airport and the M1 at Junction 24 – a major advantage for their national and international logistics. It’s been a pleasure to support their relocation, and we wish them every success in their new headquarters.”
James Richards, director at Clowes Developments, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Shawpak Ltd to Stud Brook Business Park. They join a growing community of high-calibre occupiers who have recognised the strategic advantages of this location.
“With household names like Starbucks and Sainsbury’s nearby and leading industrial operators such as Unilode, Argon Medical, Bucher Municipal, and now Shawpak Ltd on site, Stud Brook is rapidly evolving into a dynamic hub of commercial activity. It’s fantastic to see the park thriving as more businesses choose to call it home.”
Renewed rise in Midlands recruitment activity in May
The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs survey, compiled by S&P Global, indicated that the number of permanent staff placements in the Midlands rose for the first time in a year during May. Though only slight, the upturn coincided with a renewed increase in temp billings that was the strongest in six months.
Demand for permanent staff meanwhile contracted at the slowest pace in nine months and only marginally, while temp staff vacancies rose for the first time since last August. Concurrently, the supply of both permanent and temporary staff continued to rise sharply. On the pay front, the rate of permanent salary inflation was solid in May, though the increase remained slower than the historical average. At the same time, temp pay rose at the quickest pace for 12 months.
The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands.
Renewed increase in permanent staff appointments
The number of people placed into permanent roles rose across the Midlands in May, marking the first increase in exactly one year. Recruiters often linked the marginal uptick to the filling of vacancies. However, there were also reports that higher employment costs had weighed on the overall upturn in hiring.
Of the four monitored English regions, the Midlands was the only area to record an increase in permanent placements during May.
May data indicated that billings received from the employment of temporary staff in the Midlands increased for the first time in four months. While consistent with only a modest rate of growth, the respective seasonally adjusted index posted the highest reading since last November. Recruiters mentioned that firmer demand for short-term staff and new projects had helped to lift billings. As was the case with permanent placements, the Midlands was the only monitored English region to post a rise in temp billings.
Latest data pointed to a twelfth consecutive monthly decrease in demand for permanent staff in the Midlands. The pace of reduction eased sharply from April, however, and was only marginal. Of the four monitored English regions, the Midlands saw the softest fall in permanent vacancies.
Temp vacancies rose for the first time in nine months in May. The rise was marginal, but the most pronounced since last July. Moreover, the Midlands was the only English region monitored by the survey to see a rise in temp staff demand.
Permanent staff availability continues to rise at marked rate
Adjusted for seasonal factors, the Permanent Staff Availability Index signalled a twenty-sixth successive monthly increase in permanent candidate numbers in May. There were reports that the uplift in staff supply was due to redundancies and reduced hiring activity.
The rise in permanent labour supply in the Midlands was the second-softest of the four monitored English regions, behind London.
Temp staff availability across the Midlands picked up again midway through the second quarter, extending the current sequence of growth to 25 months. Recruiters mentioned that redundancies and fewer available temporary contracts had pushed candidate numbers higher. The rate of expansion quickened from April and was the strongest since last November.
The supply of temporary staff rose sharply across all four monitored English areas in May, led by London.
Starting salary inflation remains solid in May
Recruiters across the Midlands continued to record an increase in starting salaries for permanent workers in May, thereby stretching the current sequence of pay growth which began in March 2021. Some panellists mentioned that the rise was due to higher salaries being offered to attract suitably-skilled staff. The rate of inflation was little-changed from the previous survey period and solid overall.
The Midlands recorded the second-strongest increase in permanent pay of the four monitored English regions, behind London.
Average hourly pay for short-term staff rose for the sixth successive month midway through the second quarter. Where temp wages increased, anecdotal evidence suggested that this was due to stronger than average increases in the National Minimum and Living Wage rates. The rate of increase was the steepest for 12 months and sharp.
On a regional basis, only the North of England posted a steeper increase in temp pay than that seen in the Midlands.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Marc Abrams, Nottingham Office Senior Partner at KPMG UK said: “May brought a more positive shift in the Midlands’ labour market, with permanent staff appointments rising for the first time in a year – making it the only English region to see growth during the month. There was also a positive trend in temp billings, which increased as they were supported by stronger short-term demand and new project activity.
“Permanent vacancy numbers continued to fall, but at a much slower pace, while temporary vacancies rose for the first time since last summer. Both shifts indicate that employer confidence is starting to return, though still cautiously.
“For businesses across the Midlands, now is a timely moment to reassess workforce strategies. With an expanding talent pool and signs of stabilisation, the region’s firms are well-placed to invest in their people, while also planning for longer-term growth.”
Neil Carberry, REC Chief Executive, said: “More encouraging signs for the UK in temp billings, vacancies, and stabilising private sector demand offer a measure of optimism as we head into the second half of the year. The Midlands is leading these early signs of promise, with its first increase in permanent placements in a year and a rise in billings after four months of decline.
“The big test now is whether the Spending Review convinces more employers to dance at the party by turning intent on hiring and investing into action. The Spending Review delivered a big hit in terms of eye-catching spending on technology and energy, but the lack of announcements on workforce matters is badly out of step with its desire to build a deep pool of talent.
“With the Industrial Strategy imminent, businesses are looking for more than talk of renewal, they want a clear plan for an economic revival. One that acknowledges the central role of good workforce policy – beyond just employment rights. That means putting workforce matters at the heart of the agenda, not treating it as a compliance issue.”
Council plans £6m expansion of special education provision in Grimsby
North East Lincolnshire Council has approved a £6 million plan to expand special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision by transforming a former school site in Grimsby into a new sixth form facility for Humberston Park Special School.
The council intends to repurchase the Nunsthorpe School site, which was initially sold to the Grimsby Institute in 2004 and is currently used as a technical and professional training centre. Grimsby Institute is preparing to vacate the premises as it transitions its animal husbandry courses to its main campus.
Humberston Park Special School, serving pupils aged four to 19, is currently operating beyond its assessed capacity. The school, designed for 106 pupils, currently accommodates approximately 140 students and has stopped accepting new enrolments until 2029. It has also closed its nursery provision due to space constraints.
The redevelopment is aimed at alleviating pressure on the existing Humberston site, which lacks room for expansion, and at reducing the need to send SEND students outside the borough, a measure expected to generate savings of around £31,000 annually.
The funding package for the redevelopment includes £4.5 million from the council’s general pupil place budget and £1.5 million from a future Department for Education high needs grant. The transition is expected to begin in September.
Home care provider changes hands in strategic acquisition
A Class Care Ltd has acquired Brackley-based home care business Caroline Cares for You Ltd in a strategic deal brokered by Redwoods Dowling Kerr.
Founded in 2014, Caroline Cares for You Ltd is a CQC-rated Outstanding domiciliary care agency delivering over 800 hours of care each month to a fully private client base across Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. The company offers services including dementia and palliative care, as well as personal support.
The business attracted strong acquisition interest due to its consistent growth, brand reputation, and exclusive focus on private clients.
The sale forms part of the outgoing owner’s semi-retirement plan. For A Class Care, the acquisition supports its ongoing expansion strategy and strengthens its footprint in the region’s private care market. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Poundland changes hands in £1 deal as restructuring looms
Discount retail chain Poundland has been sold to US-based restructuring specialist Gordon Brothers for £1, with the new owner set to inject up to £80 million to stabilise the business. The move signals a significant shake-up for the chain’s 800-store footprint across the UK and Ireland and puts thousands of jobs at risk.
The deal sees Pepco Group, the current majority owner, exit its controlling stake while retaining a minority interest. The sale enables Pepco to refocus on its core European brand, which generates higher margins, as it withdraws from UK grocery and household retail operations.
Gordon Brothers is expected to lead a major turnaround programme that includes rent renegotiations and the closure of a substantial number of underperforming stores, pending court approval. The Poundland and Dealz brands will remain active across the UK, Republic of Ireland, and Isle of Man.
Chief executive Barry Williams, who resumed leadership in March, will continue to head the business through the restructuring process. Despite the nominal sale price, Pepco is expected to recover tens of millions from the transaction, which has been in the works for months and is scheduled to be completed by September.
Content creator becomes co-owner and strategic investor in Leicester mobile gaming accessories firm
PuK Gaming, a precision-engineered mobile gaming accessories firm, has welcomed Luke “iFerg” Fergie, a mobile gaming content creator, as a co-owner and strategic investor in the company.
With 10m fans across platforms like YouTube and X, iFerg brings unparalleled influence and expertise to PuK Gaming. As a co-owner, iFerg will play a pivotal role in product development, collaborating on new accessories.
Additionally, he will contribute to day-to-day operations, including strategic planning, content creation, and community engagement, to drive PuK Gaming’s growth in the competitive mobile gaming market.
“We’re thrilled to have iFerg join PuK Gaming as a co-owner,” said Simon Burgess, co-founder of Leicester-based PuK Gaming. “His investment and hands-on involvement will accelerate our innovation, ensuring our products meet the needs of both casual and competitive players. iFerg’s vision aligns perfectly with our goal to redefine mobile gaming.”
“I’m beyond excited to take a leadership position, investing my time and money into PuK Gaming,” said iFerg. “Their modular accessories are game-changers, and I’m eager to work closely with the team to continue developing products that empower players to dominate. This is a huge step for mobile gaming, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
