East Midlands could ‘lead the country in skills’ says new Chamber President
East Midlands Chamber’s new President Dawn Whitemore says skills are to be front and centre of her agenda for the year ahead.
The SMB College Group Principal and Chief Executive took over the post on 9th December from former Alliance & Leicester Director Stuart Dawkins, who stepped down after completing an extended two years as President.
During her time at the Leicestershire college group Dawn oversaw the merger of Melton and Brooksby College with Stephenson College in Coalville. Prior to that, Dawn was Principal and Chief Executive of New College Nottingham and established the University of Derby Corporate – an operating division dedicated to working with employers through higher apprenticeships.
Dawn Whitemore said: “The time is perfect for me to be East Midlands Chamber President because it’s a real opportunity for me to highlight how important skills development is and link it directly in with our businesses.
“Why shouldn’t we be leaders in developing a joined-up approach to making sure our businesses get the skills they need. No business knows exactly what they want when it comes to skills – they have an idea, but they don’t know now what skills they will want in five years’ time.
“Businesses need to be vocal about what they need because that’s the way things change – if we get our skill provision right, with the right sort of investment, that increases the benefits to the economy and society.
“Our members already appreciate lobbying, and I want to use my time as President to really help translate what businesses and Further Education need to ensure the skills of the future are delivered.
“My campaign for the year is going to be about making sure businesses embrace the skills agenda and influence what is needed. Our region is already stronger than most, but if we get that right we could lead the country in skills.
“It’s about changing lives through equipping people to be self-sufficient and independent. I’m really excited about the next 12 months. I think it’s an opportune time to be doing this.”
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “We all know the skills challenges businesses face now – championing skills for the future and life-long learning is essential for businesses to determine what skills will be needed in the short, medium and long term.
“After knowing Dawn for about 20 years across her FE career, I’m delighted to work much closer with Dawn in her year of Presidency of the Chamber.”
Sale of Boots back on the table as takeover bid proposed for US owner
The owner of Boots, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), is said to be the subject of a more than $10bn takeover bid.
It is understood that the deal would see private equity firm Sycamore Partners launch a fresh search for a new owner of Boots if it succeeds in taking WBA private, as reported by Sky News.
It follows a previous string of aborted attempts to sell the Nottingham business, and could see Italian dealmaker Stefano Pessina play a central role in the Boots carve-out. Pessina has led a number of deals involving Boots and holds around a 17% stake in WBA.
WBA has failed to sell Boots a number of times over the last few years, starting talks with bidders only to conclude that offers did not reflect the health and beauty retailer’s value.
Boots has over 52,000 team members and around 1,900 stores, ranging from local community pharmacies to large destination health and beauty stores.
New student accommodation plans recommended for approval at Nottingham’s Island Quarter
Plans for the construction of new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) as part of Phase 2B of the Island Quarter in Nottingham have been recommended for approval ahead of a planning committee meeting next week.
The application comprises 394 student bedspaces arranged within a ‘V’ shape building, split into four adjoining ‘blocks’ of between seven and 11 storeys.
The building would stand at the back edge of City Link and Manvers Street with a private courtyard to the rear.
Of the 394 bedspaces proposed, 313 of these would be provided within cluster flats and the remaining bedspaces within single occupancy studios.
This is the second phase of student accommodation at Conygar’s Island Quarter, with construction completed at the 693-bed Winfield Court this year.
The Island Quarter could eventually be home to more than 1,000 students from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University.
Music festivals at Catton Park calling for urgent infrastructure investment
The three festivals staged at Catton Park – Bloodstock Festival, Bearded Theory and the Derbyshire Sausage and Cider Festival – are shining a spotlight on the positive impact these long-standing events have on the local economy.
An independent survey reveals that these three award-winning festivals contribute over £16 million annually to the regional economy, amounting to £160 million over the next decade.
This economic contribution is under threat due to ongoing infrastructure challenges, particularly the state of the historic Chetwynd Bridge – the primary access route to Catton Park and its surrounding communities.
Chetwynd Bridge, a Grade II*-listed structure built in 1824, is no longer able to support the volume of modern traffic it endures today. Due to its historic significance, English Heritage has stated that the council cannot carry out the recommended work needed to make the bridge more structurally sound, resulting in the need to build a new bridge.
Width and weight restrictions have already been implemented, causing significant disruption to not only the events, but to local traffic and business, especially farming. Emergency services are also affected, given the width restriction of the Bailey Bridge at Walton.
Plans for a new alternative bridge (with Chetwynd Bridge preserved for cyclists and pedestrians) have already been discussed, but local authorities say they lack the funds to progress with construction.
“The success of the events at Catton, which bring in a significant amount of money to the local economy, are in a large part, due to the easy access to Catton Park from the A38, which does not disrupt any local villages,” said Ollie Neilson, landowner of Catton Estate.
“If the Chetwynd Bridge were to close, traffic would be diverted through rural communities in Staffordshire and Derbyshire, causing significant disruption to residents and event attendees alike. The potential economic and community impact of inaction is staggering.”
Bloodstock Festival and Bearded Theory have taken proactive measures to minimise strain on the local infrastructure. Both festivals have extended their arrivals over two days, spreading out traffic to reduce congestion for local residents and alleviate pressure on the ageing bridge and surrounding roads.
While these measures help mitigate immediate issues, the long-term solution lies in building a new bridge that meets the needs of today’s traffic demands.
Bloodstock Festival, Bearded Theory, and the Derbyshire Sausage and Cider Festival are jointly urging local authorities, national policymakers, and other stakeholders to prioritise funding for the construction of a new bridge.
The festivals collectively highlight how the £16 million annual income they generate every year far exceeds the estimated cost of building a replacement bridge, a project that would pay for itself many times over.
None of the events wish to have to relocate or discontinue, depriving the local area of this crucial income, but fear they may soon be backed into a corner with little choice.
When so many independent festivals are closing every year – the latest report from the Association of Independent Festivals detailed 72 closing in the UK in 2024 alone (and a total of 204 since 2019) – factors such as local infrastructure remain critically important to their survival, whilst they face a sea of other challenges.
“As festivals, we are not just about music, food, and community spirit – we are engines of economic growth for the region,” adds Rachael Greenfield, Director of Bloodstock. “This is not just about preserving access to Catton Park and our individual events; it’s about securing the future of the many local businesses, jobs, and services that depend on these events. The time to act is now.”
The festivals are calling on the community to join them, to amplify their voices, and urge policymakers to prioritise this critical infrastructure investment.
Wavensmere completes £65m of apartments at Derby’s Nightingale Quarter in 2024
Close to half of the 800 apartments at Wavensmere Homes’ £175m Nightingale Quarter development in Derby city centre have been completed and handed over to purchasers during 2024. Located within three individual residential buildings, the 368 new homes equate to £65m.
The regeneration specialist commenced the redevelopment and restoration of the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary four years ago.
125 two and three-bedroom townhouses were sold off-plan and handed over to purchasers between 2021-3. The majority of the 800 apartments sold ahead of the build schedule, with residents taking occupation from 2023 onwards, within seven apartment buildings located across the 18.5-acre site.
Donna Smith, Sales Director for Wavensmere Homes, said: “Some people might not have shared our bold vision for Nightingale Quarter back in 2020 when we first broke ground, but now it’s a proud reality. This hugely successful development has created a new community of all ages, leaving a £175m legacy in the process.
“There are growing families, school-aged children, hard-working professionals who work locally, those who regularly commute to London, and retirees living here. The completion of our CoVo serviced apartment building earlier this year also enables us to accommodate those staying in the city for a few days or more.
“We are now at the final furlong of matching these wonderful, energy-efficient homes with purchasers. With only 18 one- and two-bedroom apartments left, we are weeks away from selling out. That will be an incredible milestone for the whole Wavensmere team and the city of Derby.
“The redevelopment of this iconic former hospital has been the catalyst for city living here. Now it’s the last chance to buy on this very special – virtually completed – development.”
The Pepperpot restaurant – situated at the heart of the residential scheme in a restored fine terracotta former hospital building – opened in February 2024, receiving high acclaim from food critics and local residents.
In April, Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner enjoyed meeting with Nightingale Quarter residents and the construction team. Then in June, Sir Tim Smit of the Eden Project unveiled the community garden, designed and planted by Down to Earth Derby and residents.
Pepperpot South opened as the marketing suite for the 925 houses and apartments in 2022. With 98% of the homes now sold, the building has been re-purposed as a fully-equipped gym for residents’ use.
On the ground floor of Fox House, which is at the opposite side of the development, an expansive co-working space is also operational.
103 apartments located within Nightingale Quarter’s final Walton House building on London Road are currently under construction, with completion set for late 2025.
The five-storey red-brick £20m building will feature solar PV roof panels, with battery storage, to enable the green energy generated on site to be captured and used to power a proportion of the building’s electricity use.
The Derbyshire Royal Infirmary opened in 1894 and closed 15 years ago. The Florence Nightingale-designed former hospital had lain derelict for a decade prior to Wavensmere Homes’ acquisition and start on site in 2020.
While the vast majority of the Victorian hospital had been bulldozed, Wavensmere pledged to save and restore the imposing pepperpot buildings, despite one being previously consented for demolition.
East Midlands restructuring and insolvency expert joins Rothera Bray
Rothera Bray has expanded its team with the appointment of Insolvency and Corporate Recovery specialist Nicky Calthrop-Owen. Nicky joins Rothera Bray as a consultant based at the Lace Market office, bringing a new area of expertise by offering dedicated insolvency and restructuring services to the firm.
A highly regarded restructuring solicitor, Nicky is renowned for her contentious litigation and advisory work in the insolvency and corporate recovery arena. Her track record includes involvement in some of the East Midlands’ largest restructuring cases.
She has consistently been recognised as a ‘leading individual’ by the prestigious Legal 500 and Chambers legal directories. Most recently, she was named in the 2024 Legal 500 Hall of Fame and has maintained her ranking in Chambers and Partners UK Midlands Restructuring/Insolvency for an impressive 20 years.
Nicky brings a wealth of experience advising clients in complex insolvency and restructuring matters. Her portfolio includes high-profile referrals where directors and stakeholders have sought her counsel to navigate intricate challenges, achieve optimal outcomes, and ensure compliance with legal obligations.
Over the years, Nicky has acted for insolvency practitioners and stakeholders nationwide, delivering substantial recoveries for creditors who have suffered significant losses.
Further enhancing her exceptional credentials, Nicky has acted in the peer-to-peer and alternative finance sectors, representing lenders and Security Trustees in recovery actions and complex fraud cases. Additionally, she has advised professional partnerships on their obligations and risks in insolvency matters and provided counsel in partnership disputes.
Nicky’s appointment follows a series of strategic moves by Rothera Bray this year, including the arrivals of Corporate Partner David Kaplan and Dispute Resolution Consultant Kendal Litherland in April and May, respectively, as well as the launch of a new licensing team in May and the firm’s merger with Massers Solicitors in October.
Commenting on her appointment, Nicky said: “I’m delighted to have joined Rothera Bray and am looking forward to working with them to develop the restructuring and insolvency expertise at the firm to complement their continued strategic development.”
Christina Yardley, CEO of Rothera Bray, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Nicky to the team. Nicky’s exceptional reputation and unparalleled experience make her a perfect fit for our firm. Her ability to navigate complex matters and deliver results aligns with our commitment to providing the highest quality legal services.
“Nicky’s appointment, alongside our other key hires and our recent merger, represents our unwavering focus on innovating for the benefit of our people and clients.”
Shorts appoints new Tax Partner
Shorts has appointed Craig Walker as Tax Partner, joining existing Tax Partners Chris Chambers, Scott Burkinshaw, and David Robinson in leading the firm’s tax offering.
Responding to a decade of sustained growth, the appointment of Shorts’ fourth Tax Partner supports their continued commitment to growing the Tax department and underpins the firm’s continued development and strength.
An experienced Chartered Tax Adviser and member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Craig has over 20 years of tax experience at large regional firms and a top 15 firm, and he rejoins Shorts twelve years after previously completing his early tax training at the firm.
An enthusiastic advocate for his hometown of Chesterfield, Craig will be based out of the firm’s offices at Ashgate Road and will advise clients on all areas of UK taxation with a particular focus on Private Client work.
Going forward, his role will transition progressively towards taking a more active role in the leadership and strategy of the firm, in particular within the Private Client team as Chris Chambers moves towards retirement.
Craig said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be joining the team at Shorts, during such an exciting time in the firm’s growth and history, and I am proud to take this next step on my professional journey. I am very much looking forward to working with the leadership team, and to help drive forward the continued success of such a highly respected firm and exceptional tax team.”
Chris Chambers, Senior Tax Partner at Shorts, said: “Craig’s passion for Chesterfield and our wider region, experience and expertise makes him a great appointment for Shorts, and it is testament to the strength of the firm that we can attract an individual of Craig’s calibre.
“Craig will focus on Private Client advice as well as Business Tax matters as required, using his experience of having previously provided the full range of tax advice to a similar client base to ours. Craig will be a fantastic addition to our partner group whilst also forming an important part of our succession planning.
“I am confident that with Craig on board, the firm will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Scott Burkinshaw, Tax Partner, added: “I am delighted that Craig has agreed to join us at Shorts. We have enjoyed significant growth over the last decade and have ambitious plans for the future, and this appointment further strengthens our position as we head into the next chapter of our long history.”
National Lift Tower revamped to boost Northampton’s innovation legacy
A Training and Research Centre located in the world’s tallest drainage testing installation, The National Lift Tower, in Northampton, has undergone a major refurbishment in a bid to improve and enhance the state-of-the-art facility.
The Training and Research Centre serves as a hub for innovation in high-rise plumbing systems. It is run by fluid management solutions company, Aliaxis UK, which is utilising its vast experience to maximise the training potential and enhance the learning outcomes for the wider industry.
The site offers a range of capabilities essential for advancing high-rise building solutions, helping to test drainage, waste, and ventilation systems, including gravity drainage and hot and cold solutions. The Aliaxis Training and Research Centre also features the world’s tallest drainage testing installation – a 75m soil stack, which can recreate 40 flushes within the system to test real-life situations.
As part of the revamp, the Training and Research Centre has been upgraded to facilitate hands-on practical training, as well as CPDs on active drainage ventilation delivered by industry experts.
Barry Stubbs, Technical Training Academy Manager for Aliaxis UK, said: “We pride ourselves on delivering best-in-class training and CPDs and felt the Training and Research Centre’s interior needed to reflect that. As a result, the revamped interior now has new decor, furniture, and facilities, providing a dedicated training space and modern meeting rooms.”
With exceptional technical capabilities, the facilities housed within the National Lift Tower attract industry professionals from across the globe, including building regulation inspectors, consultants, designers, international developers, M&E contractors, main contractors, and public health engineers.
Dave Thomas, Head of Technical Support Services for Aliaxis, said: “These experts visit our centre to conduct research, development, testing, and to receive practical training and upskill their knowledge across various industries, strengthening its role as a central hub for innovation.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors who want to see it for themselves, and have the opportunity to watch high-rise drainage in action with a live demonstration or by joining a CPD session.”
Built by the Express Lift Company, the structure, previously called the Express Lift Tower, was used as a lift-testing tower. It was commissioned in 1978 and officially opened in 1982, and has been a Grade II Listed Building since 1997.
Barry Stubbs, Technical Training Academy Manager for Aliaxis UK, said: “We pride ourselves on delivering best-in-class training and CPDs and felt the Training and Research Centre’s interior needed to reflect that. As a result, the revamped interior now has new decor, furniture, and facilities, providing a dedicated training space and modern meeting rooms.”
With exceptional technical capabilities, the facilities housed within the National Lift Tower attract industry professionals from across the globe, including building regulation inspectors, consultants, designers, international developers, M&E contractors, main contractors, and public health engineers.
Dave Thomas, Head of Technical Support Services for Aliaxis, said: “These experts visit our centre to conduct research, development, testing, and to receive practical training and upskill their knowledge across various industries, strengthening its role as a central hub for innovation.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors who want to see it for themselves, and have the opportunity to watch high-rise drainage in action with a live demonstration or by joining a CPD session.”
Built by the Express Lift Company, the structure, previously called the Express Lift Tower, was used as a lift-testing tower. It was commissioned in 1978 and officially opened in 1982, and has been a Grade II Listed Building since 1997. Further expansion for Nottingham’s Promethean Particles as it adds new staff and new office space
A Nottingham chemical manufacturing firm has responded to increasing demand for its products by creating new office space and taking on three new members of staff.
Promethean Particles has converted a mezzanine storage area at its site in Midland Way, adding 62m2 of open plan office space to the building, which now contains 16 additional desks.
The latest appointments – in the shape of synthetic chemist Andy Jones, process development engineer David Van Gelder Adjar and process engineer James Dales – bring the company’s headcount up to 17 – virtually double the number of staff at this time last year.
The expansion brings to a close a pivotal year for Promethean Particles, which is leading the UK in increasing the production volumes of a class of advanced materials called MOFs – which stands for metal-organic frameworks – in cost-effective ways.
MOFs are tiny crystal structures which have extremely large internal surface areas and can be used for a variety of purposes, including trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) created by the burning of industrial fuels.
Promethean Particles has patented a unique method for producing them cost-effectively in large quantities, while also helping to develop them for carbon capture and other industrial uses.
Andy joined the company having completed his PhD in sustainable chemistry at the University of Nottingham, and previously studied at the University of York.
Both universities have green chemistry centres promoting sustainable principles and joining Promethean Particles, which is pioneering technology originally developed at Nottingham, is a dream step for Andy.
He said: “My PhD involved making MOFs so when I saw a role was available at Promethean Particles as a synthetic chemist with a focus on MOFs, I couldn’t quite believe it.
“My role at the company is to help develop scalable and cost-effective ways of producing high-quality MOFs at lab-scale, which can then be scaled-up beyond the lab by our engineering and operations team.
“MOFs have been reported academically for several decades, but they’ve only really gained traction in industry over the past 15 years or so, so this is certainly a very good time for me to be working here.”
David previously worked as a technology project and process engineer in the lubricants industry before seeking a new a challenge.
He said: “My work bridges the gap between our R&D and operations functions to ensure our manufacturing processes are scaled-up safely, efficiently and cost-effectively, all while maintaining high product quality.
“I enjoy this type of work because it gives me the opportunity to bring new ideas into a company that is doing something different and revolutionary.”
James Dale is taking a year out of his degree course at the University of Nottingham, where he is studying chemical and environmental engineering, to work as a process engineer.
The company appealed to him because one of his lecturers, Ed Lester, is Promethean Particles’ founder and chief scientific officer, and James wanted to work at the firm which was putting Ed’s innovation into practice.
At the company, James is working with prototype carbon capture units that contain MOFs, where he is gathering data to inform on how the technology can be used at industrial scale to achieve decarbonisation goals.
He said: “MOFs are in the early stages of their commercialisation journey, but they’re very exciting materials.
“While I’ve been primarily working on carbon capture, MOFs can be used for many different applications, including water harvesting, so I’m interested to see where else they can be used in the future.”
James Stephenson, chief executive officer of Promethean Particles, said: “We have had an incredibly exciting year and it’s been wonderful to see our new office space taking shape while welcoming three more new starters to the team.
“Our company has grown significantly during 2024. We closed a £8 million investment round and we have created an extraordinary amount of interest in MOFs and our proprietary manufacturing process this year.
“In particular we have been contacted by organisations which need to limit their carbon emissions and companies which design and manufacture the equipment which would be used to house the MOFs when they are eventually put to use.”
Multi-million pound regeneration of Staveley Market begins
The multi-million pound regeneration of Staveley Market has started on site, with an official groundbreaking ceremony to mark the milestone.
Chesterfield Borough Council’s Staveley 21 project, funded through the Staveley Town Deal, includes the construction of a new landmark building in the town centre, improvements to the market square and rejuvenation of the high street.
Together the works will help support local businesses by creating a more attractive, welcoming and safe town centre for everyone to enjoy.
Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “It is fantastic to get this project underway as it will transform Staveley town centre and enhance it for visitors, businesses and residents.
“It will expand what the town centre has to offer – creating new opportunities for events and social spaces but also encourage more people to visit to support both existing retailers and market traders.
“This is an exciting and ambitious project that forms a key part of the Staveley Town Deal programme, and we look forward to seeing progress over the coming months.”
The council’s construction partner, Stepnell, will be leading the programme of work on site, which has begun with the removal of the disused toilet block on the market square.
Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “As we commence works on Staveley 21, early engagement and continued close collaboration with Chesterfield Borough Council, partners and community – including Staveley Junior School – has put works in a strong position.
“Our team is committed to delivering a rejuvenated public space, which will serve the future of a more attractive Staveley town centre.”
Next year a new landmark building will be built that will form a new focal point for the town centre. Once completed the building will house Derbyshire County Council’s Staveley Library on the ground floor and the upstairs will provide space for new businesses.
Staveley 21 also includes the transformation of the marketplace to create an enlarged public space to support existing uses such as Staveley Town Council’s regular markets but also as a setting that can be used to host a wide range of new events to encourage more people to visit the town centre.
Proposals include new tiered outdoor seating to support outdoor theatre and performances, and natural play equipment to help make the marketplace more attractive to families.
Designs for the play equipment have been developed in collaboration with pupils from Staveley Junior School, who visited the site with Stepnell and took part in a workshop to discuss what kind of equipment they would like to see installed.
New paving, lighting, street furniture and planting will help create an enhanced atmosphere and visitor experience through the day and night whilst new signage will help connect the town centre with Staveley’s other visitor attractions including the Chesterfield Canal and Staveley Hall.
Around £5 million of funding has been provided through the Staveley Town Deal – a £25.2 million programme that aims to ensure Staveley is a place to start, stay and grow.
Ivan Fomin, chair of the Staveley Town Deal, said: “This is an exciting project for Staveley that will help the town centre to attract additional visitors and support local businesses.
“Almost all of our Town Deal projects are now being delivered on site. This is a fantastic achievement across all partners, and people will soon start to see the impact of all these projects in their community.”
