Space Park Leicester advances UK–Thailand collaboration on tech talent development

April Lara
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Space Park Leicester advances UK–Thailand collaboration on tech talent development

A group of 50 scholarship students from Thailand visited Leicester this month as part of a national programme designed to strengthen the country’s digital-economy capabilities. The visit formed part of the Royal Thai Government’s One District One Scholarship initiative, which sends high-performing students overseas to gain exposure to advanced research and industry environments.

Space Park Leicester hosted the delegation and provided access to its research and innovation hub, which supports UK space-sector businesses and academic partners. Representatives from Thailand’s Research University Network, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Kasetsart University and the Thai Chamber of Commerce also took part in the visit, underscoring Thailand’s interest in developing technical talent for emerging industries.

Space Park Leicester Education and Outreach Officer Josh Barker said: “We were thrilled when we discovered the students from Thailand had chosen Leicester as their destination for the One District One Scholarship programme. It was an honour to welcome them and to show both delegations our excellent facilities which are home to a collaborative community which is at the forefront of the UK space sector. We were privileged to show them how we are pushing the boundaries of space exploration, satellite technology and Earth observation to benefit society and the economy.”

The programme included specialist teaching delivered by academics from the University of Leicester’s School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, with modules on AI, machine learning, computational modelling, autonomous systems, and data analytics. Students also joined sessions from the University’s School of Business and visited the London headquarters of global IT and consulting firm CGI.

The itinerary featured masterclasses at the National Space Centre and visits to local sites, including the King Richard III Visitor Centre and a Leicester Riders game. Leicester City Football Club supported the programme.

113-home scheme moves ahead on former Bestwood industrial site

April Lara
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113-home scheme moves ahead on former Bestwood industrial site

A long-stalled industrial plot in Bestwood is set for redevelopment after Nottingham City Council approved plans for 113 affordable homes. The decision clears the way for MyPad and Nottingham Community Housing Association to transform the former Chronos Richardson plastics factory on Belconnen Road, following the collapse of an earlier supermarket-led proposal.

The scheme will deliver 18 flats and 95 houses, all designated for shared ownership or social rent. It represents a full shift in direction from a previous plan combining a Lidl store with 62 homes, which received permission in 2022. That project did not progress after the retailer withdrew from the partnership in 2023 in response to delays linked to Section 106 requirements.

The newly approved development brings a decisive end to years of uncertainty around the site. It also adds a significant volume of affordable housing to the local pipeline, addressing a persistent shortfall highlighted across the city.

British Steel secures new £35m rail supply deal

April Lara
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British Steel secures new £35m rail supply deal

British Steel has secured a £35m contract to supply rail products for a high-speed network project in Turkey, strengthening its position in major international infrastructure programmes. The agreement, set to be confirmed at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, sits within a broader pipeline of UK-backed export activity worth more than £400m.

The deal builds on the manufacturer’s previous involvement in Turkey’s rail expansion, including a similar contract announced last year for a southern corridor linking Mersin with Adana, Osmaniye, and Gaziantep. British Steel has already delivered £30m worth of rail products into ongoing high-speed schemes in the country, with further tenders expected.

The company continues to expand its order book amid state oversight. The government took control of the Scunthorpe plant in April under emergency legislation aimed at protecting operations and safeguarding employment. Since then, British Steel has also secured a £500m agreement to supply Network Rail with tracks, reinforcing its strategic role in national and international rail programmes.

The Prime Minister said: “Working with international partners to deliver jobs and opportunity at home is a one-way ticket to growth.

“The UK is a world leader in engineering, from steel welders in Scunthorpe to technicians in Derby, British workers are powering the world through their skill and profession.

“I am determined to open more doors for British businesses across the world so together we can drive growth, create highly skilled jobs to drive down the cost of living, and deliver opportunity to people across the United Kingdom.”

The latest contract strengthens British Steel’s export portfolio and highlights the demand for UK expertise in global transport infrastructure.

Revenue to come in below expectations at Nottingham transport management software provider

Tess Egginton
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Revenue to come in below expectations at Nottingham transport management software provider

Revenue is expected to come in below expectations at Microlise Group, the Nottingham-headquartered provider of transport management software to fleet operators, according to a new trading update for the year ending 31 December 2025 (FY25).

In Interim Results for the period ended 30 June 2025, Microlise noted market challenges, including a slower recovery in the automotive sector. Trading in the period since has been mixed, the business says. As a result, based on trading results for the year to date and Microlise’s pipeline for the remainder of FY25, it now expects to deliver FY25 revenues below market expectations, down from £91.3m to no less than £84m (up 4% versus FY24).

The reduction in expected revenue for FY25 is in part a result of lower order volumes from global OEM customers in the automotive and construction sectors, predominantly due to trading disruption caused by the impact of tariffs and general weakness in the wider macro environment.

Direct customer sales in the UK have also been softer, impacted by delays in some customer projects, in particular a large project relating to a British multinational retailer which was hit by a cyber-attack earlier this year.

Direct customer sales in Asia-Pacific (APAC), however, have performed strongly with the full deployment of a £10.6m, five-year, contract with WooliesX in Australia. Meanwhile, FY25 annual recurring revenue run rate is anticipated to be up 4.5% to £59.1m.

Microlise is set to implement cost saving and efficiency measures across parts of the Group, which are expected to generate annualised cost savings of at least £4m. This action is expected to be materially complete before the year end with an exceptional charge of £1.5m, largely relating to severance costs, with an expected reduction in headcount of approximately 10%. 

As a result of the underperformance in sales, Microlise expects adjusted FY25 EBITDA to be below current market expectations (£12.7m), and not less than £8.3m.

Nadeem Raza, CEO of Microlise, said: “Notwithstanding this short-term impact, our view on the Company is unchanged and the business fundamentals remain strong. Microlise is robustly profitable, cash generative and has a strong balance sheet.

“For FY26 we have a healthy direct sales pipeline and we anticipate overall revenues to increase over FY25. We expect improving recurring revenue growth, supported by the eventual unwind of disruption with OEM customers, and materially increased EBITDA and cash generation following the conclusion of the margin initiatives, but FY26 adjusted EBITDA is expected to be below current market expectations.

“We have a strong base of annual recurring revenues, and the actions we are announcing today are expected to enhance our profitability. Together with a refreshed go-to-market strategy, healthy order book and expanding product suite, we are well positioned to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.”

NCT secures new Lister Gate base

April Lara
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NCT secures new Lister Gate base

Nottingham City Transport has taken a 10-year lease on premises at 28–30 Lister Gate as part of a relocation of its customer services operation. The move places the city’s main transport operator in a high-footfall part of the centre that has seen renewed commercial activity and sustained investment.

The unit, previously occupied by retail brands including Gordon Scott and Stock Giant, is undergoing a full fit-out. It sits opposite the recently opened Sports Direct store and near other national operators. The property was marketed at £40,000 per year.

The Lister Gate corridor is positioned between the city centre and Nottingham’s bus and rail stations. It has benefited from major regeneration projects including the Broad Marsh car park and bus station, the new Central Library, and the public Green Heart space. Lister Gate had been affected by the closure and partial demolition of the Broadmarsh Centre, although new activity and lettings are now accelerating across the area.

The letting adds to ALB Group’s growing portfolio of city-centre regeneration projects. The developer has delivered schemes in Nottingham and across the Midlands, including projects that repurposed commercial buildings and revitalised retail streets.

Leicester’s first purpose-built new children’s home in 40 years handed over

Tess Egginton
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Leicester’s first purpose-built new children’s home in 40 years handed over
City Mayor, Peter Soulsby and assistant city mayor for children and young people, Cllr Elaine Pantling, have joined Scope Construction and representatives from Leicester City Council’s capital projects and care teams to officially open the council’s first purpose-built new children’s home in 40 years. Hillview, located in the west of the city, is a new £1.8m children’s home and includes a contribution of £800,000 from the Department for Education. It will provide accommodation for five young people between the ages of seven and 17. It will also serve as a hub for training for social care staff, foster carers and other professionals. Working with local designers A+G Architects and engineers BSP Consulting, Scope Construction delivered a two storey children’s home to provide new living accommodation, communal facilities and ancillary accommodation. It includes five en-suite bedrooms, as well as two self-contained flats, a waking staff office and a staff sleeping room. Additionally, there is a communal lounge, dining area, kitchen, training room, games room with ‘street art’ wall and staff offices, with a spacious and secure garden to the rear. The building also features a range of energy efficiency measures including roof-mounted photo-voltaic panels, fully electric heating, air source heat pumps and EV charging points, helping the scheme to achieve an EPC A Rating. Assistant city mayor for children and young people, Cllr Elaine Pantling, said: “I’m delighted to see Hillview open its doors. We’re very proud of the investment we’ve made into these new council-run children’s homes, as it means we are able to care for more children and young people in-house, within the city, rather than moving them away to other locations. “We have excellent, experienced staff and a great track record of running our children’s homes in-house. Now we also have these wonderful new facilities to provide dedicated support for those children and young people in the city who need it most.” Maz Patel, managing director of Scope Construction, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Leicester City Council to deliver their first new-build children’s home for many years. Scope take pride in helping people and communities to thrive through the built environment. “The project team have delivered another first-class project for the council and the local community. We look forward to seeing young people thrive in what is a place that has a much more homely feel to it. “During the last two years we have built a strong working relationship with the council and the care team and, as a trusted construction partner, we hope to deliver more schemes like this in the future.”

DMU expands biomedical engineering offer through industry partnership

April Lara
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DMU expands biomedical engineering offer through industry partnership

De Montfort University Leicester has introduced two new biomedical engineering degrees after forming a strategic partnership with GE HealthCare. The collaboration brings a Bachelor of Engineering and a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering into the university’s portfolio, strengthening its ability to prepare graduates for roles across medical technology, diagnostics, and clinical engineering.

Professor Mike Kaglioglu, DMU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Planning, Research and Innovation, said: “At DMU, we describe ourselves as a ‘civic university.’ By that we mean we exist not only to educate, but to serve – our city, our region, and society more widely. Central to that mission is our belief in the power of partnership. We know that we cannot deliver the best education for our students in isolation. We must work hand-in-hand with industry, with employers, and with communities.

“Our partnership with GE Healthcare is a perfect example of that philosophy in action. Together we are designing courses that are grounded in real-world challenges. We are creating pathways for students to develop the skills and experience employers need. We are providing opportunities for GE Healthcare colleagues to continue their own professional development through the expertise of our academics. And, we are doing all of this in a way that delivers mutual benefit, not only to our two organisations, but to the health and wellbeing of society.”

The programmes have been shaped with input from GE HealthCare and the NHS to reflect current workforce needs in imaging, surgical technologies, and biomedical systems. Students will build expertise in mathematics, physics, biology, and engineering, applying these skills to equipment such as MRI scanners, C-arms, ultrasound devices, and advanced surgical tools.

The agreement was formally confirmed during an event on 20 November. DMU expects the partnership to support employers seeking graduates with specialist technical training and strengthen the wider healthcare technology ecosystem across the region.

Rolls-Royce wins major overseas contracts

April Lara
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Rolls-Royce wins major overseas contracts

A series of new international agreements has directed significant investment toward Derby’s manufacturing sector. Rolls-Royce has secured a £370 million contract to supply and service jet engines for 10 aircraft operated by Air Algerie. The engines will be built in Derby, where the company employs 14,500 people.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This is fantastic news for Derby and the East Midlands. Rolls-Royce is key employer, not just for people who live in the city, but for residents in nearby towns and villages too. This vote of confidence in our region will protect and create opportunities for better jobs and skills for local people. The message from the Government is clear: the East Midlands is open for business.”

The announcement was made ahead of the G20 Summit in South Africa and sits within a broader programme of export activity that is extending the reach of UK engineering expertise.

Additional government-backed agreements will support rail modernisation in South Africa and Vietnam. Crossrail International will advise South Africa on railway reform, provide consultancy on attracting private investment, and expand commercial opportunities for UK firms involved in freight and passenger transport. The collaboration links with Derby-built trains already operating in Johannesburg.

In Vietnam, UK specialists will work with the Ministry of Construction on plans for advanced rail infrastructure. The project will help shape digital rail strategies informed by UK experience, particularly the systems used in recent high-capacity metro developments.

The combined activity strengthens the East Midlands’ position as a global centre for engineering and signals wider commercial pathways for British firms across aviation and rail.

Asda offloads sites in major property deal

April Lara
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Asda offloads sites in major property deal

Asda has confirmed the sale of 24 supermarkets and a distribution depot for £ 568 million as part of a large-scale property transaction designed to support its financial restructuring.

The locations will transfer to a group of institutional investors through separate agreements. Blue Owl Capital will take ownership of ten stores and the Lutterworth depot in Leicestershire. Another ten stores will move to a joint venture between Blue Owl and Supermarket Income REIT. DTZ Investors will acquire the remaining four sites.

Asda will continue trading from all affected properties under long-term sale-and-leaseback arrangements, agreeing 25-year leases with further extension options. Operations for staff and customers will remain unchanged.

The move forms part of Asda’s wider efforts to stabilise its balance sheet. The retailer reported £3.8 billion in net debt in its most recent full-year filing and is due to provide an update on its third-quarter trading performance next week.

Nordic Climate Group expands into UK and Ireland, with reach across the East Midlands

April Lara
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Nordic Climate Group expands into UK and Ireland, with reach across the East Midlands

Nordic Climate Group has entered the UK and Ireland through three acquisitions with a combined turnover of more than EUR 50 million. The move establishes the company in two of Europe’s strongest markets for energy-efficient cooling and heating systems.

The expansion builds on the Group’s growth in the Nordics and the Netherlands. It strengthens its presence among food retail, logistics, industrial, and commercial property clients seeking lower-impact refrigeration and HVAC technology.

In outlining the Group’s approach, Fredrik Gren, President and Group CEO, said, “What makes Nordic Climate Group unique is that every company continues to be what made them successful – locally anchored, customer-focused and entrepreneur-driven – while we become stronger together. With our entry into the United Kingdom and Ireland, we are reinforcing this model further and gaining greater momentum in our shared ambition to drive the transition to energy-efficient cooling and heating solutions”. The statement reflects the Group’s strategy of integrating local expertise with wider European scale.

The acquisitions create a new operating platform across the region, including a notable presence in the East Midlands:

Anglo Irish Refrigeration becomes the Group’s base in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The company has more than 220 employees across several depots and supports clients in food retail, industrial operations, the public sector, and commercial property. Its leadership team remains in place to provide continuity.

MC Refrigeration, headquartered in Wellingborough, East Midlands, expands the Group’s footprint across the UK. The business supports national retailers and commercial operators with installation, maintenance, and end-of-life services for commercial refrigeration equipment. Existing management continues to lead operations.

CSD Air Conditioning, based in Clydebank, adds specialist air conditioning, ventilation, and wider HVAC capability. The company serves hotel, retail, and commercial clients throughout the UK, with founders Carlo and Danielle Scaramuzza remaining in the business.

Together, these companies form Nordic Climate Group’s launch base in the UK and Ireland, positioning the organisation to support the shift towards modern, energy-efficient cooling and heating technologies across key sectors.

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