Nottingham-based marina infrastructure provider acquired
Antin Infrastructure Partners is set to acquire Aquavista Watersides & Marinas, the marina infrastructure provider.
Founded in 2003 and based in Nottingham, Aquavista has 32 inland and coastal marinas offering over 5,300 berths and marine services across the country.
The transaction marks a successful exit for private equity investor LDC following a seven-year partnership during which the company nearly tripled revenue and doubled the size of its marina portfolio through a series of strategic acquisitions. This includes the acquisition of Castle Marinas in 2021.
Building on this fast growth, Aquavista is ideally positioned to be the consolidator of the fragmented UK market, capitalising on a strong track record of organic growth complemented by successful acquisitions. The company also benefits from favourable underlying trends: UK boat ownership has been growing steadily, leading to rising storage needs, and growing demand for residential berths has supported high occupancy rates, low churn and resilient revenues.
Antin’s Mid Cap Fund I will be investing in Aquavista alongside CEO Steve de Polo and other members of the management team.
Upon closing, this investment will be the sixth by Antin’s €2.2 billion Mid Cap Fund I. Antin’s mid cap strategy focuses on smaller and medium-sized investments in established infrastructure companies in Europe and North America across the energy and environment, digital, transport and social sectors.
Simon Soder and Assia Belkahia, senior partner and partner at Antin Infrastructure Partners, said: “Aquavista has all the characteristics we look for in our mid cap strategy, notably high barriers to entry and strong resiliency, and benefits from supportive long-term tailwinds.
“The company has a clear and ambitious plan to scale up its already leading presence in an attractive market segment, and we look forward to working with Aquavista’s management and team to support the company’s continued growth in marina infrastructure.”
Steve de Polo, CEO of Aquavista, said: “LDC has been an invaluable partner and the scale we’ve achieved together has enabled us to significantly enhance our services putting us in an incredibly strong position for future growth. We are delighted to partner with Antin to build on the strong foundations developed with LDC’s support and accelerate our growth.
“We see many expansion opportunities ahead, and Antin is the right partner to help us consolidate our leadership and deliver our proposition of quality facilities and services to an ever-greater number of customers who share our vision of Freedom and Togetherness.”
David Bains, partner and head of the East Midlands and East of England at LDC, added: “Our seven-year partnership has established Aquavista as a market leader through organic and acquisitive growth, including the strategic acquisition of Castle Marinas, which we supported with significant follow-on funding.
“It has been a privilege to support this locally headquartered business to become a national success story, and we wish the very best to Steve and his team on the next stage of their journey.”
The transaction is expected to close in October 2025.
54-acre logistics site acquired in Northampton
Royal London Asset Management Property has acquired a 54-acre logistics site in Northampton’s Brackmills Industrial Estate. The strategic acquisition will anchor a major new development within the company’s growing logistics portfolio.
The site will become Royal London Asset Management Property’s largest logistics development. Working with Graftongate, Royal London Asset Management Property plans to deliver over 1.25 million sq ft of prime logistics space and an estimated gross development value of £340 million.
The freehold site includes an existing 312,831 sq ft distribution warehouse, which is now available for lease on short flexible terms.
Currently, Royal London Asset Management Property has £3.2bn in industrial assets across the UK.
Robert Kiernan at Royal London Asset Management Property said: “The acquisition of this landmark site in Northampton represents a pivotal moment for our industrial and logistics strategy. Opportunities of this scale and prominence in the UK’s logistics ‘Golden Triangle’ are exceptionally rare.
“With its outstanding connectivity for transport and labour, the established occupier base nearby and flexibility to deliver a variety of unit sizes, this project will become a key development in our logistics portfolio.
“We are excited to deliver a best-in-class scheme with Graftongate that meets the evolving needs of occupiers and reinforces our commitment to long-term, sustainable value creation for our investors.”
Jamie Hockaday at Graftongate said: “Brackmills 54 provides an opportunity to bring forward more than 1.25 million sq ft of prime logistics space in one of the UK’s most established distribution locations.
“The site’s scale, connectivity and access to a strong labour pool make it an exceptional proposition for national and international occupiers. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Royal London Asset Management Property to deliver a sustainable, best-in-class scheme.”
Royal London Asset Management Property was represented by Pinsent Masons and Apex.
Council drops opposition to Littlethorpe housing development
Blaby District Council has withdrawn its opposition to an outline planning application for 155 homes on farmland off Oak Road in Littlethorpe, Leicestershire.
The scheme, submitted by Gladman Developments Ltd, had previously been refused by the council due to concerns over its impact on the village. Gladman appealed the decision, presenting evidence on the quality and use of the farmland.
Following a four-day appeal hearing, the council decided to discontinue its objection ahead of the Planning Inspectorate’s ruling. The council cited the strength of the developer’s evidence and the potential costs of continuing the defence as factors in its decision.
The outcome clears the way for approval, subject to the Planning Inspectorate’s formal determination.
Coactivation
Coactivation Ltd. – Leading Retrofit Delivery Across the UK
Coactivation Ltd. partners with housing providers across the UK to deliver high-quality, compliant retrofit programmes that cut carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and transform residents’ quality of life. Specialists in PAS 2035 wrap-around services, Coactivation supports clients from funding bids and pre-retrofit assessments, through to in-house design, lodgement, and full coordination. This integrated approach reduces risk, ensures compliance, and delivers measurable outcomes at every stage. A standout achievement this year has been playing key roles in the delivery of the Rykneld Homes SHDF Wave 2.1 retrofit programme, where Coactivation provided Retrofit Coordinator, Retrofit Assessor, and Designer services across 660 homes in North-East Derbyshire. The results speak for themselves:- CO₂ savings: 1,511 kg/year per property (total 966,790 kg/year)
- Energy savings: 6,994 kWh/year per property (total 4,475,883 kWh/year)
- Space-heating demand reduction: 79.7 kWh/m²/year per property
Phase 2 completes at major industrial and logistics development in Derbyshire
McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) has completed the £41m Phase 2 of the major industrial and logistics development at Horizon 29 in Bolsover, Derbyshire.
Delivered on behalf client, Equation Properties, Phase 2 comprises two single-storey distribution warehouses, Units 7 and 8, each spanning approximately 250,000 sq ft, including two-storey office accommodation, 23 loading docks and dedicated transport offices.
The completion marks a significant milestone in the continued transformation of the 1.15 million sq ft site. McLaren Construction also completed Phase 1A and 1B of Horizon 29 in February last year, which comprised four warehouse units (Units 1, 2, 4 and 5) alongside earthworks, CMC and VSC piling, concrete foundations, steel framing, lift shaft and stair installations, nets for roofing works and office elevation cladding.
Luke Arnold, regional director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “Completing Phase 2 at Horizon 29 is the next major milestone for the expanding hub for large-scale logistics, which we have been an integral part of since starting construction on Phase 1A and 1B in 2022.
“We’ve delivered two more energy-efficient units to the same high standard as earlier phases, using sustainable materials and the latest low-carbon technologies.
“We’re proud to continue our work with our valued client Equation Properties to realise the vision for Horizon 29, a landmark destination for the East Midlands distribution and logistics sector.”
Yü Group delivers H1 growth and names new CFO
Nottingham energy supplier Yü Group reported higher revenues and profits for the first half of the year, reflecting continued meter growth despite a stabilising commodity market.
Revenue reached £341 million, up 9%, while profit before tax climbed 14% to £22.6 million. The company maintained strong cash flow, supporting dividend increases and sustaining earnings coverage. Forward contract positions expanded, providing financial stability for the remainder of the year.
The firm also appointed Andy Simpson as chief financial officer, succeeding Paul Rawson, signalling a refreshed leadership structure as Yü continues its market expansion.
Rowleys strengthens team with 16 new appointments
Leicester-based accountants Rowleys has welcomed 16 new recruits across its audit and accounts, tax, payroll, and medical teams.
The firm’s tax team has been boosted by the appointment of Kirsty Horobin as senior tax manager. Kirsty brings significant experience in advising private clients and adds further strength to Rowleys’ private client tax offering. She is joined by Oleg Luca as tax associate and Yaasmeen Chothia as a tax associate trainee, supporting the continued expansion of the team.
Rowleys’ medical team has welcomed Katherine Spiers as a medical accountant. Katherine will be working with the firm’s extensive portfolio of GP clients, enhancing Rowleys’ specialist expertise in this sector.
The audit and accounts team continues to expand with the arrival of Gabrielle D’Souza, Kayleigh York, Parneet Pal, Tegan Schouten, and Wisdom Chibanda. In addition, the firm has welcomed a new cohort of trainees – Dan Van Amersfoort, Jack Radford, Jay Speake, Mahesh Morjaria, and Maryam Rashid.
Elsewhere in the business, Wendy Gerrard has joined the payroll team as payroll adviser, and Laura Beasley has taken up the role of receptionist.
Tom Copson, managing partner at Rowleys, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome such a wide range of talented people to Rowleys. From senior hires like Kirsty, who brings a wealth of private client tax experience, to new trainees starting their careers in the profession, each appointment plays an important role in strengthening our firm.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is our continued commitment to developing the next generation of accountants and advisers. With six new trainees joining this year, we’re investing not just in the future of Rowleys, but in the future of our profession. Combined with specialists like Katherine joining our Medical team, these appointments ensure we can continue to deliver the expertise and personal service our clients value.”
Derbyshire brand consultancy to expand team after strong first 18 months
Founders of a Derbyshire brand strategy consultancy are growing their team after a solid first 18 months.
Matt Clutterham and Jenny Jarvis, founders of Q Branch Consulting, have seen growth of more than 40 per cent in their first 18 months, defying the UK business consultancy market which contracted by 3.4 per cent in 2024.
The company is now expanding into new offices in Melbourne and hiring an additional consultant. This growth comes after winning their first award, securing a contract with the NHS, and attracting their first international clients from the USA.
“Jenny and I are incredibly proud of the success we’ve seen at Q Branch Consulting in our first 18 months,” said Matt Clutterham. “This kind of growth comes from a lot of hard work combined with an absolute clarity of vision.
“We attribute our success to focusing on both brand and people development. Our goal is to help brands achieve a bold new outlook by thinking like the world’s biggest businesses. Big, successful brands know exactly who they are, and that’s the mindset we want to instil in our clients.”
Jenny Jarvis added: “With our expanded team, we’ll be able to offer businesses everything they need to achieve success. We can now transform their people, brand, and operations, providing them with all the tools they need to step into the future with clarity and confidence.”
102-bedroom student development opportunity hits the market in Derby
A prime, 102-bedroom student development opportunity has hit the market in Derby for offers in excess of £1m.
Set for the 0.203-acre site of a former car showroom at 73 Monk Street, fronting the A601 Mercian Way, the scheme is set to benefit from excellent proximity to the University of Derby’s main campus, providing a real opportunity for a developer to deliver the project as a direct let PBSA block to the University.
The site is subject to a live planning application for the demolition of the existing structures and new development of a three to six storey block for use as student accommodation.
The scheme proposes providing 102 rooms in 16 cluster flats. The flats would offer between 3-10 bedrooms, all with en-suites and the high majority also having kitchenettes within the bedroom space.
Unconditional offers in excess of £1m are invited for the freehold interests, subject to contract. It is anticipated that the transaction will be completed by way of a sale of the shares of the SPV. Interested parties are advised to contact the agents, Wood Moore & Co at enquiries@woodmoore.co.uk for further information.
Lincolnshire Co‑op invests £4m in outlet upgrades
Lincolnshire Co‑op has invested over £4 million in upgrading 31 of its outlets across food, funeral, pharmacy, and post office operations since launching its cyclical refresh programme one year ago.
The programme aims to modernise around 40 trading outlets each year with an annual investment of approximately £5 million. Each site undergoes a major refit every 12 years, including the replacement of equipment such as fridges and shelving. Cosmetic mid‑cycle updates take place every six years to maintain a refreshed look.
The Carlton Centre Food Store and Post Office in Lincoln received a full cyclical refresh alongside 14 other food stores and seven additional post offices, with £524,000 allocated to the upgrades. Refits also included five pharmacies, two funeral homes, and Lincolnshire Co‑op’s Louth Travel branch, the first of 13 travel agencies to be revitalised under the programme.
Upgrades reflect local community needs, with new product ranges and services added based on outlet location. Examples include frozen meals, premium coffee machines, gifting ranges, and interactive beverage offerings.
The programme is designed to strengthen customer satisfaction and loyalty while delivering operational improvements. Feedback from colleagues and customers has been incorporated to refine each refresh and support continuous enhancement across the Co‑op’s network.
