IM Properties has been selected to take part in the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UK NZCBS) Pilot Test Programme – placing the developer at the forefront of shaping national sustainability benchmarks for industrial space.
Hinckley 340, a 340,853 sq ft unit at IM Properties’ Hinckley Park scheme, is one of only 22 buildings selected to represent the storage and distribution sector in the pilot.
The initiative forms part of a collaboration of experts from across the built environment to develop a measurable, science-aligned definition of what it genuinely means for a building, from homes to the industrial sector, to be net zero carbon.
Simon Seaton Smith, sustainability director at IM Properties, described the selection as both “a real honour and a real responsibility” and said it marked a critical moment for the industry to align ahead of inevitable regulatory change.
“This is about doing the hard work now and making sure we’re properly prepared for where the industry is going,” said Seaton Smith.
“We’ve been working for a long time to make sure we’re not only aware of the expectations around net zero but actively responding and often going beyond to deliver best practice as part of our Sustainable Futures framework focusing on People, Place and Planet. To be selected for the pilot test shows that our commitment is being recognised.”
A full member of CIBSE, one of the founding partners behind the new Standard, Seaton Smith has led IM Properties’ efforts to align with sustainability standards and plan for the future.
For the pilot testing phase, IM Properties are working with Birmingham-based advisors, Turley, and their sustainability and ESG team, to help interpret and apply the new Standard.
Snigdha Jain, head of ESG at Turley, said: “Having contributed to the development of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard as part of the task force, it’s exciting to now apply this industry-leading methodology to a live logistics project.
“The insights gained through this real-world application will inform the final version of the standard due to be released at the end of the year. It’s incredibly inspiring to work alongside IM Properties and collaborate with industry peers on a performance-based standard that will set an unambiguous definition of Net Zero for decades to come.”
The selected project, Hinckley 340 is built to an industry leading specification, adhering to the UK Green Building Council (UKBC)’s standards which laid the foundations for UK NZCBS’s pilot. It has achieved EPC A and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and the unit has also been delivered as Net Zero in Construction and is designed to be Net Zero Ready.
Seaton Smith said the real value of the pilot would be in creating a level playing field for all: “No one benefits from green washing and this new Standard can provide more clarity and transparency about who is really delivering best practice and who isn’t.
“The level of understanding and technical detail and knowledge required should not be underestimated and waiting for regulation before doing the right thing is a risky strategy,” he said.
The pilot study covers the full life cycle and performance of the building from embodied carbon and operational energy to water use and refrigerants.
“Investors are already looking at future resilience and net zero readiness, and if assets can’t meet the new Standard, they’ll likely struggle to retain their value,” Seaton Smith added.
“I look forward to sharing what we learn from this process — transparently and constructively. Because as professional in this field, this is about more than carbon calculations. It’s about leading with purpose, doing the hard work now, and making sure that we — and our industry — are part of the solution and we all work fairly to deliver this as a sector.”
Rushton Hickman director, Mark Richardson, is embarking on a remarkable cycling journey to champion mental health. Mark will undertake a gruelling 225-mile ride from Derby to Brighton over two days to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity Mind.
Scheduled for 14th and 15th June, this challenging endurance event is more than a personal mission, it is a movement to support mental wellbeing and break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Mark said: “Mental health is something we all need to prioritise. Life can be tough and sometimes it is hard to deal with. Mind is doing incredible work to change that, providing help and understanding to those who need it most!”
Mind is a leading mental health charity that offers advice, support and advocacy for individuals facing mental health challenges. They work tirelessly to improve services, increase awareness and foster a more open dialogue about mental wellbeing. Every contribution, no matter the size, enables them to continue their incredible work.
Mark aims to raise as much as possible and you can contribute by visiting his JustGiving page: Mark Richardson is fundraising for Mind
A management buyout (MBO) has been completed at Churchills Specialist Contracting Ltd, a provider of specialist contracting services, funded by Virgin Money.
Nottingham-based Churchills Specialist Contracting Ltd celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024. From its humble beginnings in the Steeplejack industry, where craftsmen scale buildings and chimneys to carry out repairs, maintenance, demolition or new installations, today Churchills offers an array of additional professional services, including specialist access, structural maintenance, concrete repair, industrial leak sealing, lightning protection, and specialist earthing.
The company has been involved in significant long-term projects such as the refurbishment and maintenance of cooling towers and chimneys at Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, the installation of specialist isolated lightning protection and main earthing systems for major research establishments and power plants, together with the structural maintenance of long-term social housing projects and water storage facilities nationwide.
Additionally, Churchills has contributed to the London Power Tunnels project, providing specialist earthing, access and leak sealing services for the National Grid’s extensive underground distribution network. They also played a key role in the renovation of 80 The Strand, and more locally, the Derby Market Hall’s multimillion-pound refurbishment.
The MBO milestone marks a new chapter in the company’s journey, setting the stage for continued growth. Virgin Money’s support will enable the management team to purchase the business, ensuring a smooth transition and continuity of operations.
The MBO was led by Richard Rowson (managing director), Aimee Riddell (operations director – Steeplejack Division), Will Burnside (operations director – Structural Maintenance and Waterproofing Division), and Dan White (operations director – Lightning Protection and Earthing Division), who will now take ownership of the business.
This move is set to incentivise the management team to continue to build and grow the business, with plans to expand employee numbers and enhance service offerings.
Richard Rowson, managing director of Churchills Specialist Contracting Ltd, said: “Huge thanks to the Virgin Money team and of course to the previous owners, Wayne Murry and family, on behalf of myself and fellow directors for making the MBO a reality for us.
“The overriding message to all our valued customers and suppliers is very much ‘business as usual’! The Company remains very firmly in the safe hands of the existing, well established and capable team of directors, staff and loyal workforce”.
David Burgess, director, Strategic Finance at Virgin Money, said: “Churchill’s is a long-standing, well-respected business, and this management buyout marks the start of the next chapter in the company’s history.
“It has been a pleasure to work with Richard and the entire team and we’re pleased that they chose Virgin Money as their funding partner. Providing cashflow finance packages to help ambitious, growing SMEs achieve their goals is what we do well, and we are proud to support the team.”
Deniss Sipovics, at PKF Smith Cooper, who supported the transaction, said: “It was a pleasure to support the management team at Churchills and to work with Virgin Money on this significant transaction.
“We were pleased to provide financial due diligence to support the deal, which represents an exciting opportunity for the new owners to build on the company’s strong legacy and drive it forward into its next phase of growth. We wish them every success as they continue to deliver exceptional specialist services across the UK.”
With nominations now being welcomed for Business Link Magazine’s East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, last year’s ‘Commercial Development of the Year’ winner has reflected on the prestigious event.
Adrian Grocock, Group Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It’s a fantastic awards event that we enjoy being part of and have had previous success, including winning the Commercial Development of the Year for the Air and Space Institute in Newark last year and receiving the accolade of Overall Winner from all the categories a few years previous.
“The East Midlands Bricks Awards brings together hard-working individuals and colleagues to celebrate all that is good in the local construction industry, and we are proud to have been recognised amongst our peers for our work in the region. We congratulate the Bricks team on the 10th year anniversary of the awards.”
The East Midlands Bricks Awards celebrates the successes of property and construction companies in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and Northamptonshire. This year’s eagerly anticipated awards ceremony, marking 10 years of the event, will take place on Thursday 2nd October at Nottingham’s famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.
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.
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:
All finalists will have the chance to take home the Overall Winner award, which this year comes with a grand prize of a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000, with the opportunity to split or gift the marketing to a charity of your choice.
Nominations will close on Friday 15th August.
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.
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 hereDress 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.
Headquartered in Derbyshire, Clowes Developments is one of the UK’s largest and strongest privately-owned property investment and development organisations, dedicated to a simple aim: to build a lasting legacy of strong, sustainable places that will enable future generations to prosper.
Charles W Clowes founded Clowes Developments on 17th September 1964; he did so on the guiding principles of honesty, integrity, passion and innovation. That DNA still runs deep throughout the company, influencing decision-making over half a century later.
The Clowes family still own and run the business, giving relief from the demands of PLC shareholders and allowing the freedom to build an extensive portfolio in creative and imaginative ways.
The group holds over 3,000 acres of land and 15,000 residential plots in 130 development sites across the country, including more than 50 office and business parks and several larger mixed-use sites.
Rooted in the East Midlands, the Group’s extensive portfolio reflects a strategic commitment to sustainable development, economic growth, and community enrichment.
Amongst the schemes Clowes is behind are the recently delivered Fairham Business Park, part of the a 606-acre Fairham site in Nottingham, Beauchamp Business Park, Kibworth, and Stud Brook Business Park, Castle Donington.
Fairham
Fairham is a 606-acre site on the southern edge of Nottingham, set to become the region’s prime commercial and residential destination.
Boasting world-class connectivity, Fairham sits alongside the new £150 million A453 Remembrance Way that links directly to the M1. It is also next to the NET tram terminus at Clifton, within a 15-minute drive of East Midlands Airport and a 15-minute drive or tram ride from Nottingham city centre.
With over one million square feet of commercial space planned alongside 3,000 residential dwellings and a neighbourhood centre, Fairham Business Park is already over 50% complete. Occupiers include high-profile names such as Vision Express (Essilor Luxottica), SLS Medical, ABB, MacFarlane Packaging, Davenham, and Ocado. This development is significantly contributing to job creation and inward investment in the Borough of Rushcliffe.
Beauchamp Business Park
Beauchamp Business Park comprises a mixture of high-quality B1 and B2 industrial units. The development was delivered over two phases and comprises units ranging in size from 1,270 to 10,085 sq ft.
The development is located on the northern side of Kibworth, a large conurbation mid-way between Leicester (9 miles) and Market Harborough (7 miles) on the A6, which also links to Kettering via the A14 and the M1 at Leicester via the A563 ring road.
The site was developed by Clowes Developments together with a trusted and experienced professional team including IMA Architects, TanRo, Millward Consulting Engineers, Gateley’s Legal and Postins Project Services. Philips Sutton and TDBRE were instructed as marketing agents for the scheme.
Construction of the first phase of the scheme began in September 2023 with 80% of the units sold or under offer within two months of being launched to the market.
Phase Two delivered an additional three terraces and a stand-alone unit which following the success of Phase One gave Clowes Developments the confidence in the market to build on a speculative basis.
Stud Brook Business Park
Stud Brook Business Park
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Strategically located in Castle Donington, at Stud Brook Business Park Clowes is delivering a range of high-spec industrial and distribution units, with all units in phase one having now achieved practical completion, and officially handed over to their new occupiers.
Phase one features units from 8,500 to 30,000 sq ft, with industry leaders including Argon Medical, Bucher Municipal, Unilode, and Shawpak now either fully operational or finalising their fit outs, with plans to be fully operational by summer 2025.
The project delivery was supported by a trusted professional team including IMA Architects, Millward Consulting Engineers, Geldards LLP, and Postins Project Services. The completed buildings meet modern sustainability standards, including: BREEAM Excellent, EPC Rating A, and designed and built to deliver ‘Net Zero in Occupation’.
Meanwhile, Roe Developments has commenced construction of Units 1B to 1F, which will comprise five new trade counter units, ranging from 3,229 to 4,606 sq ft. The units will wrap around the now fully operational Starbucks Drive-Thru, located prominently at the front of the park. Plot 1 also neighbours the newly opened Sainsbury’s Local, offering added convenience and footfall for future occupiers. Several tenants are already lined up.
People and culture
Clowes is also committed to investing in its people, nurturing internal talent and supporting future industry leaders, seeing the recent promotions of Kevin McFarlane (Director) and Rob Hopkinson (Associate Director), while Emma Purdy has completed her APC qualification with full support from the Group. Furthermore, graduate Jenny McCrea has joined from Nottingham Trent University, with more graduate and placement recruits arriving this summer, and the Group has also welcomed several work experience students.
ESG
In alignment with its ESG strategy, Clowes actively supports both local and national charities, while advancing carbon reduction initiatives and sustainable development practices. 2024 marked a new chapter for the group as Clowes implemented a charitable giving policy. For the financial period 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025, the Group elected Derbyshire Mind as the beneficiary of charitable fundraising initiatives, with a total of £7,102.61 donated. For the financial period 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026, the Group has elected Macmillan as the beneficiary of charitable fundraising initiatives.
Clowes Developments has also proudly achieved its first year of Planet Mark Business Certification for reporting year 2023 – 2024, this demonstrates the Group’s commitment to cutting its measured footprint annually. Planet Mark is a leading carbon reduction and net zero specialist. Achieving Business Certification is the best first step to take on the transition towards net zero.
Clowes is a fervent believer that sustainability is more than just a box to be ticked. In designing and delivering its developments, Clowes is committed to doing all it can to bring a balanced approach to sustainability. Wherever possible, the Group makes sure it’s accountable environmentally, socially and economically. That way, Clowes can play its part in ensuring a better quality of life for everyone – now and for generations to come.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is set to cut at least 430 roles in a bid to save over £97 million in the current financial year. The cost-cutting initiative is part of a broader transformation programme aimed at modernising service delivery and improving efficiency across the trust, which operates Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital.
The majority of the planned reductions will affect corporate and support functions, with the trust aiming to reduce its dependency on agency and temporary staff. Clinical roles are expected to be protected where possible, with the trust favouring natural attrition and voluntary departures to minimise compulsory redundancies.
In addition to job cuts, the trust is investing in digital and operational improvements, including a new patient-facing app, enhancements to outpatient services to reduce waiting times, and the expansion of surgical theatres to increase capacity for day case procedures by 5,000 annually.
Despite making £91.2 million in savings last year, the trust overspent by £51.6 million and continues to face pressure to reduce its wage bill, which accounts for 70% of its £1.8 billion annual budget. The organisation currently employs the equivalent of 18,300 full-time staff. The plan supports national directives for NHS trusts to streamline back-office operations.
Lindum Group has been appointed to deliver the new £44 million Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) in Sutton-in-Ashfield, the flagship facility of the £100 million Ashfield Innovation and Technology Park.
Spanning over 31,000 sq ft, the ADMC will serve as a national centre for automation, providing support for UK businesses of all sizes to adopt tailored automation strategies. Modelled on the UK’s Catapult Centres, it will house research, technical, and engineering teams, and offer collaborative space for industry and academia.
Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2025, with completion anticipated in late 2026. The facility is expected to open to tenants and users in early 2027.
Academic and industrial partners, including Nottingham Trent University and Vision West Nottinghamshire College, as well as local manufacturers, are involved in shaping the centre’s offerings to meet current sector needs.
The project is being procured through the SCAPE Regional Construction framework, enabling early contractor engagement and efficient delivery. It forms part of Ashfield District Council’s broader regeneration strategy aimed at creating skilled jobs and strengthening the district’s position in advanced manufacturing and automation.
Holcim UK has acquired an asphalt plant in Sharpness, Gloucester, from Sharpness Asphalt Limited. Strategically located next to the local wharf, the site enhances Holcim’s regional presence and supports its expansion strategy in the UK asphalt market.
The facility will temporarily close for upgrades and is expected to reopen next month under the Holcim Express Asphalt brand. Once operational, the site will focus on rapid turnaround services for small load collections, with a target service time of 30 minutes for single-product loads. Additional services will include material tip-off, an onsite shop for ancillary items, refreshments, WiFi access, and washroom facilities.
The move is part of Holcim’s broader effort to grow its Express Asphalt network, which is designed to cater to trade customers and SMEs requiring fast, reliable service and access to supplementary onsite resources. The acquisition also strengthens Holcim’s footprint in the South West, a region where infrastructure and commercial development continue to generate strong demand for asphalt and surfacing materials.
A steep fall in the number of businesses set up in the region over the past two months indicates local entrepreneurs are increasingly reluctant to ride out current economic challenges, including April’s rises in the National Minimum Wage and Employers National Insurance, as well as new US tariffs.
This is according to the Midlands branch of national insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 and is based on a monthly analysis of regional start-up data from business intelligence provider Creditsafe.
R3’s figures show there were 2,139 businesses set up in the East Midlands in May, which is a substantial 19.31% decrease compared to the 2,651 new businesses registered in March.
The May figure, however, is marginally higher than the 2,076 start-ups established twelve months previously in May 2024, which gives a longer-term indication of the state of the region’s economy, along with further R3 analysis showing that the number of companies with late payments on their books dipped in May.
R3 Midlands chair Stephen Rome, a partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper in the region, said: “The immediate decline in local entrepreneurship is reflected across the whole of the UK and highlights the uncertainty caused by rising employment costs, contracting economies, world politics and spiralling fuel and energy costs.
“It appears that many businesses are taking sound steps to minimise their current financial exposure and to push into new markets and ventures only at a time when they have the best economic platform to succeed.
“Meanwhile, for those directors who are worried about the viability of their business going forward, R3’s advice is to seek professional help and to do it as soon as possible. The sooner support is sought, the more opportunities there may be to assure a company’s survival and future success.”
Plans have been submitted to develop a 20.7-acre site on the outskirts of Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire, with 200 new homes. The application, lodged by Bloor Homes, outlines proposals for residential development alongside community infrastructure, including a potential health and wellbeing hub or retail unit, as well as sports facilities and expanded school playing fields.
The proposed site is situated off Bosworth Lane, B585, and currently comprises agricultural land. Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is reviewing the application, with a planning decision expected later this year.
The development reflects continued demand for housing in rural areas, with implications for local infrastructure, service providers, and supply chain partners operating in the construction, education, and healthcare sectors.
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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. 
Clowes is a fervent believer that sustainability is more than just a box to be ticked. In designing and delivering its developments, Clowes is committed to doing all it can to bring a balanced approach to sustainability. Wherever possible, the Group makes sure it’s accountable environmentally, socially and economically. That way, Clowes can play its part in ensuring a better quality of life for everyone – now and for generations to come.
