Loughborough University experts shape ethical guidelines for national digital twinning strategy

April Lara
-
0
Loughborough University experts shape ethical guidelines for national digital twinning strategy

Loughborough University academics have played a crucial role in developing an ethical framework for the UK’s National Digital Twin Programme (NDTP). This framework marks a key step in the government’s initiative to expand national digital twinning capabilities, first introduced by HM Treasury in 2018. The programme aims to establish a robust infrastructure for digital twin technologies, which are virtual models of physical objects, systems, or processes. These models use real-time data connections to help policymakers make informed decisions by simulating various scenarios.

The ethical framework, developed by a group of leading experts, addresses the emerging challenges of integrating digital twinning into public policy and governance. The guidelines focus on principles such as inclusive growth, human-centred values, and ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability. These principles aim to ensure that digital twinning technologies contribute to sustainable development and the well-being of society.

The technical working group, including Loughborough University’s Professors Tom Jackson and Ian Hodgkinson, emphasised the importance of ensuring that digital twins remain secure, robust, and ethically sound. As the programme progresses, further development of these principles will be essential to guide the evolving technology in ways that support long-term societal goals.

Rural businesses in North West Leicestershire offered £140,000 in grants

April Lara
-
0
Rural businesses in North West Leicestershire offered £140,000 in grants

The North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) is opening the application window for the 2025 Rural Business Grant Programme, offering a total of £140,699 to support small businesses in rural areas. Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) under the Rural England Prosperity Fund, the programme helps businesses invest in growth, tourism, carbon-reducing technologies, or farm diversification.

Grants ranging from £1,000 to £15,000 will be available, with recipients required to match at least 50% of the funding. Applications are now open until 31 October 2025, and will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. All projects must be completed and claimed by 31 January 2026.

Eligible businesses, companies, and partnerships within North West Leicestershire are encouraged to apply. Full details, including eligibility criteria and application instructions, can be found on the NWLDC website.

Specialist insurance intermediary snapped up by East Midlands group

Tess Egginton
-
0
Specialist insurance intermediary snapped up by East Midlands group

East Midlands-based Noble Insurance Group is set to acquire specialist insurance intermediary Caravanwise, supported by a £5m loan from OakNorth.

Founded in 2019 via the management buy-in of Noble Marine, a pleasure craft specialist, Noble Insurance Group was launched to build a family of specialist insurance brands. Its current brands, including CBI, Graham Sykes, New Moon and WG Yachts, offer a range of insurance products and services covering day to day insurance needs and specialist requirements.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Christchurch, Dorset, Caravanwise specialises in the camping and leisure market and arranges insurance cover for touring and static caravans, as well as for trailer tents, folding campers, park homes, motorhomes, campervans and horseboxes.

The £5m loan will also help accelerate the Group’s buy and build strategy, that has seen it complete twelve acquisitions to date.

Henry Arundel, co-founder and managing director of Noble Insurance Group, said: “Caravanwise is an excellent addition to our portfolio. It has a highly impressive brand reputation, loyal customer bases, and deep expertise in the caravan and leisure markets.”

Dale Cowdell, director of debt finance at OakNorth, added: “As a result of Henry and Ian’s leadership, Noble Insurance Group has built a robust, high-margin platform in a highly specialised part of the insurance market. “With a proven buy-and-build strategy and strong insurer partnerships, coupled with the growth in revenues that insurance agent and broker market is set to deliver over the next five years, the business is well-positioned for continued sustainable growth. We’re delighted to support Henry, Ian and their teams as they expand their presence with this latest acquisition.”
OakNorth were advised on the transaction by Cowgills and HCR, and Noble Insurance Group were advised by SMB.

Acquisition by Burton specialist sees manufacturer return to UK ownership

Tess Egginton
-
0
Acquisition by Burton specialist sees manufacturer return to UK ownership
Burton-based Wright Industries, a specialist provider of investment, development and turnaround services for UK engineering SMEs, has acquired Exception PCB Ltd. The deal returns the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturer to UK ownership. Tewkesbury-based Exception PCB will join Wright Industries’ other investments, as part of the Connexion Technologies group. Craig Wright, chairman & CEO at Connexion Technologies, said: “Bringing Exception PCB back from Asian into UK ownership strengthens our national manufacturing resilience, aligns with UK Government objectives, and opens new opportunities to innovate, invest, and lead. “The business has undergone significant recent investment in its processing technology to place it at the forefront of PCB manufacturing globally and we are proud to support its continued growth.” “Exception PCB has a proud history rooted in British engineering,” said Kamal Berberi, general manager at Exception PCB. “We’re excited to join forces with Connexion Technologies and continue developing strategic technologies that serve our customers.”

Celebrate property and construction businesses with a submission for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 – nominations close 15 August!

Tess Egginton
-
0
Celebrate property and construction businesses with a submission for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 – nominations close 15 August!
Providing the perfect forum to spotlight your business’s achievements, there’s not long left to enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, with nominations closing on Friday 15th August. The prestigious event, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects 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. We also highlight the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes. The awards and networking event draws leaders from throughout the East Midlands and is the ideal way for businesses to promote themselves and those they work with. Indeed winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly. Take this chance to showcase exceptional new commercial and residential developments, those demonstrating a leading position in sustainability and design excellence; gain recognition as prestige developers, architects, contractors, and agents, as well as for significant deals; and ensure efforts in corporate social responsibility are rewarded, from eco initiatives to charity work, to social value schemes. It’s completely free to enter and making the top three finalists in your category also wins you free tickets to the awards ceremony on Thursday 2nd October at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.

To make a nomination for the 10th annual East Midlands Bricks Awards, please click here, or on the category headings below.

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.

A glittering awards ceremony revealing winners will take place on Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) in the Derek Randall Suite at the famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, also offering the perfect opportunity to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region. 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. Robert Maxey, partner at heb Surveyors, last year’s Deal of the Year winner, said: “It was an honour to take home the Deal of the Year award at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, especially because the other nominees in the category were so strong! It was extremely pleasing to see recognition of our team’s efforts and the event provided a great boost to morale. Celebrating excellence in our region’s property and construction sector, and offering a great chance to catch up with local professionals, I’d encourage other businesses to get involved with an entry, to showcase your business and the impact it is making in the industry.”
Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025, click here to secure yours. Connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. 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.

The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025

What: The East Midlands Bricks Awards 2025 When: Thursday 2nd October (4.30pm – 7.30pm) Where: Derek Randall Suite, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham Keynote speaker: Councillor Nadine Peatfield – Leader of Derby City Council, Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, and Deputy Mayor of the East Midlands Tickets: Available here Dress code: Standard business attire Thanks to our sponsors:                                                                              

To be held at:

New waterside development to boost local economy

April Lara
-
0
New waterside development to boost local economy

A new mixed-use development, The Moorings, has officially opened in Staveley as part of the £25 million Government-backed Staveley Town Deal regeneration programme. Located by the Chesterfield Canal, the development is set to offer office, retail, and dining spaces designed to attract both businesses and visitors.

The first floor of the building houses six office units ranging from 450 to 750 square feet, available for rent. The ground floor includes retail spaces and a larger area designated for a restaurant or café-bar, which will feature outdoor seating overlooking the canal. The site also benefits from improved access, including a new road and footpath, making it more attractive for visitors looking to enjoy recreational activities like walking, cycling, and boating.

Expected to generate 40 to 60 new jobs, The Moorings is part of a broader initiative to stimulate local economic growth and create a vibrant destination in the region. The Staveley Town Deal has contributed £3.5 million towards the £4.5 million cost of the project, with the remaining funding covered by local partners.

The development forms part of the wider Markham Vale business park initiative, aimed at supporting business growth in the area.

£150m incinerator project gets approval after appeal

April Lara
-
0
£150m incinerator project gets approval after appeal

A government inspector has approved the £150m Swadlincote Energy Recovery Park project after an appeal, overturning the previous decision by Derbyshire County Council’s planning committee to reject it. The controversial scheme, aimed at creating a 60m-tall “energy-from-waste” incinerator near the A444 on the outskirts of Swadlincote, had faced opposition from thousands of residents. Over 3,400 signed a petition against it, with more than 1,200 submitting objections citing concerns about pollution, health risks, traffic, and environmental impact.

Despite the objections, government inspector Paul Griffiths ruled that the benefits of the project outweighed the harm it could cause. He noted that the facility would generate enough energy to power 36,000 homes while diverting significant amounts of waste from landfills.

The development, planned by R&P Clean Power Limited, is expected to create a low-carbon energy source and improve waste management for the region. The project is designed to handle hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste, with lorries expected to visit the site up to 200 times daily. The approval now means three incinerators will operate in southern Derbyshire.

The decision has been met with disappointment from local campaigners, who feel their concerns were ignored. The approval also includes part-awarded costs to be paid by the county council after the inspector deemed the council’s rejection unreasonable.

Next takes on brand and intellectual property of maternity fashion retailer

Tess Egginton
-
0
Next takes on brand and intellectual property of maternity fashion retailer
The joint administrators of Seraphine Limited, the award-winning international retailer of maternity and post-natal fashion, have sold certain assets of the business, including the brand and intellectual property, to Next plc. Will Wright and Chris Pole were appointed joint administrators to Seraphine Limited on 7 July 2025. The company traded from its flagship store in Kensington High Street, London, as well as via its online platform and other well-known stockists. Will Wright, UK CEO of Interpath and joint administrator of Seraphine Limited, said: “We are pleased to have concluded this transaction which preserves the Seraphine brand, and wish the team at Next all the very best for the future.”

Blaby Golf Centre housing plans rejected

Tess Egginton
-
0
Blaby Golf Centre housing plans rejected
Proposals to close Blaby Golf Centre and build up to 200 homes on the site have been rejected. Blaby District Council planning committee members have refused an outline application for the housing scheme from Hallam Land Management. Officers had recommended the scheme be refused and the application had generated more than 1,700 objections from the public. In their report officers said while the development would provide much-needed housing the loss of 16 hectares of Green Wedge was “considered to be inherently harmful.” They said proposals to relocate other popular and well-used businesses at the centre, including a dance school, gym, taxi rank, boutique and beauty salon were not adequate. Councillor Lee Breckon, chairman of the planning committee, said: “Refusing a planning application is a decision we do not take lightly. We have a responsibility to ensure a sufficient housing supply and under national guidelines are generally required to approve new schemes. “However, in this case we agreed with officers that the scheme would be harmful to the local area rather than beneficial. Our main concerns were the loss of Green Wedge as well as the loss of premises for several small businesses in the local area. We felt the overall harms posed by the scheme were strong enough for us to reject the application.”

Funding boost for Derbyshire Dales digital technology firms

Tess Egginton
-
0
Funding boost for Derbyshire Dales digital technology firms
Derbyshire Dales District Council is inviting local digital technology businesses to take advantage of new funding opportunities available through the extended UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programme. The initiative, which has already supported a range of innovative local projects, has been extended to continue helping businesses modernise their operations and grow through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. The previous round of UKSPF support helped unlock investment in pioneering ideas from Dales-based companies, including White Peak Design & Build Ltd, which invested in drone and scanning technology to enhance surveying capabilities, and Digital Urban, which creates immersive virtual experiences to engage communities in built environment proposals. “These are exactly the kinds of projects we want to see more of,” said a District Council spokesperson. “We know there are many talented and forward-thinking digital businesses in our area – this funding is here to help turn their ideas into reality.” Grants can support a wide range of investments – from software and equipment to product development and digital transformation.
1...293031...1,111Page 30 of 1,111