Rolls-Royce strengthens nuclear supply chain with major industry partnership

April Lara
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Rolls-Royce strengthens nuclear supply chain with major industry partnership

Rolls-Royce Submarines has entered a long-term collaboration with Assystem, AtkinsRéalis, and Frazer-Nash to expand engineering and nuclear capability across its defence programmes. The partnership forms part of the new Capability Assured Strategic Partnership, which aims to consolidate specialist expertise within the UK’s nuclear supply chain and support the Royal Navy and wider Defence Nuclear Enterprise.

With a value of up to £400m, the agreement is one of the largest supply chain commitments undertaken by Rolls-Royce Submarines. It will deliver additional engineering capacity, nuclear skills, and professional services to help the company meet rising demand across current and planned reactor programmes.

Chris Walker, Supply Chain Director at Rolls-Royce Submarines said, “We are in a nuclear renaissance across the UK and demand for this expert capability is growing all the time. The intent behind this strategic alliance is to harness the collective capabilities of each party to successfully deliver complex nuclear programmes and explore advanced nuclear technologies.

“We recognise that if we want to grow our business and maintain our critical commitments to the Ministry of Defence, then we cannot do it alone. Our decades-long relationships with Assystem, AtkinsRéalis and Frazer-Nash see the partners ideally placed to support us, bringing unique insight across the capability landscape.”

The partnership supports Rolls-Royce’s broader expansion plans following confirmation that it will supply nuclear reactor plants for the next generation of attack submarines under the AUKUS arrangement. Increased programme activity is driving the planned doubling of the company’s Raynesway site in Derby, which will create more than 1,000 skilled roles in manufacturing and engineering, with further job growth expected across the supply chain.

Rolls-Royce has supported the UK’s nuclear submarine fleet for more than 65 years and remains the only private organisation able to manage the entire lifecycle of submarine reactor technology within a single entity.

Cameron Homes acquires site for £16m development in Leicestershire

April Lara
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Cameron Homes acquires site for £16m development in Leicestershire
Cameron Homes has acquired a 6.2-acre site in the Leicestershire village of Burbage, less than a mile from J1 of the M69 motorway. Outline planning is in place for 40 houses, granted by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. Accessed from Workhouse Lane, the site is two miles from Hinckley town centre and train station. The open pasture land was brought to market by Mather Jamie, on behalf of Central Co-op, the long term landowner of the site who had previously successfully secured outline planning for residential development. 20% of the homes are allocated for affordable housing. The housebuilder has appointed Pegasus Architects to prepare a Reserved Matters Planning Application for submission during early 2026. John Hickman, group land director for Tara Group and Cameron Homes, said: “We’re very pleased to secure this site as Burbage is a highly desirable village on the outskirts of Hinckley and the Cameron brand is already well established here. Being less than a mile from the Midlands motorway network, future residents will benefit from quick travel to Coventry, Leicester, Tamworth and Birmingham via the M1, M6, M69 and A5. “In the New Year, we’ll be submitting a detailed planning application for a quintessential £16m Cameron development of beautifully designed and detailed family houses.” Karla Williams, associate director of Mather Jamie, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Cameron Homes on this land deal, which will see this prime site brought forward for much needed family and affordable housing. The speed of this transaction reflects how it ticked all the boxes for our client – Central Co-op – and Cameron.” Andrew Buckley, head of property at Central Co-op, adds: “We’re pleased to see the site moving forward in a way that supports the needs of the local community. This development will bring high-quality family and affordable homes to Burbage, and we’re confident Cameron Homes will deliver a scheme that reflects both the character of the village and the values we hold as a co-operative. We look forward to seeing the plans come to life and the benefits they will bring for future residents.” The exterior elevations of the 40 homes will be traditionally styled with red brick and render to complement the local vernacular. The latest green energy features will be incorporated into this scheme, with a very high EPC rating targeted. Specification highlights will include Smart Hive thermostats, electric vehicle car chargers, and solar PV panels. As part of the development programme, Cameron Homes will deliver ecological enhancements and increase the biodiversity of the site through the creation of an attenuation pond, resulting in new habitats.

Property consultants make associate director promotion

Tess Egginton
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Property consultants make associate director promotion
Salloway Property Consultants has promoted William Speed MRICS to the position of associate director. William joined the company in 2019 as a trainee surveyor and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 2023. He has since become an important member of the agency team, playing a key role in a number of notable lettings and disposals over the past year. Managing director Stephen Salloway said: “William has proved himself to be a tremendous asset. He has a strong commercial awareness and a professional approach that has earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike. His promotion is thoroughly deserved.” William said he looked forward to taking on wider responsibilities in his new role and supporting the firm’s continued growth.

Leicester receives major endorsement from social media influencer

Tess Egginton
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Leicester receives major endorsement from social media influencer
Leicester’s diverse food scene has received a major national endorsement after social media influencer, Ryan Shepherd, took to the city for a 48-hour review. Shepherd, who operates the popular food review channels ‘Bigga Boys Food Reviews’, reaches over 5 million viewers per month. Over two days, Shepherd sampled menus at over 20 different eateries, experiencing everything from the famous curry houses of the Golden Mile to global cuisine and the city’s Christmas market offerings. Ryan Shepherd commented: “Leicester has a great food scene, I kept seeing videos on social media of people raving about it, so I thought I would come down and see what all the talk is about. To be honest, I’ve eaten in twenty restaurants over this past 48 hours and not received a bad meal yet. The variety of food is exceptional, especially the famous Indian restaurants on the Golden Mile—they are some of the best I have ever tasted. I’ll be honest, the food is that good, it’s making me consider moving from Yorkshire!” Mike Denby, director at Visit Leicester, welcomed the visit, highlighting the city’s reputation for its food offering. “The restaurants and eateries in the city are second to none, and we are blessed with so much variety,” said Mike. “It’s great that we are getting recognition nationally from big influencers, and Ryan is the third national social media influencer to visit in as many weeks. Ryan’s marathon food review in Leicester has seen him sample the Christmas markets, venture around the Golden Mile, dessert shops, and sample cuisine from across the globe.” The videos documenting Shepherd’s extensive review will be shared with his followers in the coming weeks, providing a boost to the city’s profile as a culinary destination. Shepherd is also planning to return soon to explore the food and drink offerings across the wider county.

Sheffield Management School opens final call for business project partners

April Lara
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Sheffield Management School opens final call for business project partners

Organisations in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire have until the end of December to register for a research partnership with students from Sheffield Management School. The scheme pairs MBA and master’s students with local firms to investigate live operational, strategic, or market-based challenges and produce evidence-led recommendations.

Sheffield-based training provider Kinch Robinson partnered with the Management School on its international marketing activities. A spokesperson from the firm said: “Working with the Management School was very straightforward, and we felt well supported during the process. The student had understood the brief well and delivered a well-researched and well-written report. We will definitely use it as we formulate our strategy for launching in India.”

Projects typically focus on efficiency reviews, market analysis, growth planning, sustainability measures, or organisational development. Each assignment draws on current management thinking and structured research methods designed to be applied directly within a commercial setting.

Rhoda Watson, Business Engagement Manager at Sheffield University Management School, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for organisations to benefit from the enthusiasm and expertise of our students while gaining actionable insights into their business challenges. Our projects lead to innovative solutions and fresh perspectives that make a real difference.”

Applications close on 31 December 2025. Selected businesses will begin working with student teams from June 2026.

Inovara expands with acquisition of UK lighting specialist

April Lara
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Inovara expands with acquisition of UK lighting specialist

Inovara Group has completed the acquisition of IBL Lighting, adding a UK-based LED technology business to its pan-European platform. IBL Lighting, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Guildford, supplies architectural lighting for major international projects across hospitality, retail, airports and premium residential developments. The company operates in the UK and maintains an assembly facility in China that supports global distribution.

The acquisition strengthens Inovara’s technology base and broadens its access to high-value architectural markets.

Matt Norrington, Partner at Ambienta, commented: “The acquisition of IBL marks another important stage in Inovara’s growth, bringing in IBL’s strong technical capabilities and a reputation for delivering high-quality architectural lighting into flagship projects globally. This acquisition reinforces Inovara’s positioning as a leading pan-European provider of LED lighting and creates exciting new opportunities for the Group across the global architectural lighting market.”

IBL becomes the third company to join the Group following earlier acquisitions in 2022 and 2023. The move aligns with Ambienta’s strategy to scale a European leader in energy-efficient lighting.

Guy Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Inovara Group, said: “We are tremendously excited to bring IBL into the Inovara family. The business is a superb fit with our strategy of assembling complementary, world-class lighting brands. IBL’s technical platform, impressive growth, and global reputation will substantially strengthen our offering in the architectural sector and expand our international footprint. We look forward to welcoming IBL’s talented team.”

The transaction also supports continued market demand for high-efficiency LED solutions across new developments and retrofits. Inovara reports that its product portfolio has contributed to reduced energy use, lower material consumption, and a measurable decline in CO₂ emissions across projects deploying its luminaires.

New village proposal near Derby reaches key stage

April Lara
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New village proposal near Derby reaches key stage

Plans for a major new village west of Derby have advanced, with developers outlining the scope of an Environmental Impact Assessment for a site south of Mickleover. The request, submitted by Parker Strategic Land to South Derbyshire District Council, forms part of the early work toward an outline planning application tied to the council’s draft allocation for Mickleover South.

The proposed development covers land between the A516 Etwall Road and the A38. Current documents indicate capacity for up to 2,300 homes alongside a mix of community and commercial infrastructure. Early plans reference a primary school, local retail space, community facilities, employment land, sports pitches, and landscaped open areas. A new internal route, referred to as a main street, would link the two major roads and support movement within the scheme.

The EIA Scoping submission signals the start of more detailed assessment work, which will shape the forthcoming planning application. A formal pre-application consultation is scheduled for early 2026, allowing businesses and residents to review the proposals and provide feedback ahead of the next stage.

First Bus expands operational role in FlixBus network for 2026

April Lara
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First Bus expands operational role in FlixBus network for 2026

First Bus will expand its operational role within the FlixBus network in 2026, with 11 additional vehicles scheduled to enter service from spring next year. The move increases First Bus’ Flix-spec fleet to 32 vehicles and strengthens its position within the long-distance coach market.

Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director, Business to Business for First Bus, commented: “Our partnership with FlixBus is delivering strong results so we’re expanding the long-term contract to involve more of our depots across England.

“This further investment reinforces our strategic focus on growing our involvement in long-distance coach.”

The expansion brings First Bus depots in Leicester, Leeds, the West of England and parts of Yorkshire further into FlixBus operations. It increases capacity on routes linking major cities and regional centres across the Midlands and the North, with a wider uplift planned for services connecting the South West and Yorkshire.

FlixBus continues to scale its presence in the UK after entering the market in 2021. Its network is projected to reach more than 80 destinations this year, with additional national expansions scheduled for 2026. First Bus will manage service delivery for the new routes through dedicated operational teams, with the roll-out expected to support around 40 new jobs.

The 2026 fleet additions are planned to increase service frequencies, extend regional connectivity, and support the continued national growth of the FlixBus network.

PKF Smith Cooper strengthens central functions with new appointments

April Lara
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PKF Smith Cooper strengthens central functions with new appointments

PKF Smith Cooper has expanded its central operations with several strategic hires across digital transformation, business development, HR, and marketing.

Tara Adams has rejoined the firm to lead digital transformation projects after gaining experience in finance-focused IT roles. She will oversee the rollout of new systems and support operational improvements across service lines.

The firm has also appointed Francesca McKernan as Business Development Coordinator. Her remit covers business development activity across all offices, with a focus on supporting senior leaders in identifying and advancing commercial opportunities.

The Marketing and People team has grown with two additional hires. Zoe Cooper has joined as People Manager, bringing HR experience from the manufacturing sector. Grace Downing has taken on the role of Assistant Digital Marketing Manager, adding expertise in digital strategy, social media, CRM, public relations, and creative production.

Selma Delic, Operations Partner, commented: “I’m delighted to welcome – and welcome back – these talented individuals to our central team. This team is the backbone of our business, and these new appointments demonstrate our commitment to investing in the people and processes that enable our team members, clients, and the wider firm to thrive. Tara, Zoe, Francesca and Grace all bring invaluable knowledge and experience to the firm, and we are thrilled to have them on board.”

University of Lincoln launches AI-driven decision lab to support Defence and industry innovation

April Lara
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University of Lincoln launches AI-driven decision lab to support Defence and industry innovation

The University of Lincoln has opened a new innovation lab designed to accelerate the development of advanced decision-support technologies for Defence and other high-stakes sectors. The initiative, named DecisionWorks, brings together academic researchers and industry partners to address the growing demand for faster, more reliable decision processes across complex operational environments.

The lab aims to support organisations facing rising data volumes and increasingly intricate risk profiles. Many Defence programmes now depend on rapid assessment of dynamic information, and the University’s partners are working to create tools that can improve accuracy, reduce delays and enhance situational understanding. The programme is positioned to help organisations manage mission-critical decisions where errors can disrupt operations or increase costs.

Professor Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, explained: “DecisionWorks places Lincoln at the heart of the UK’s future mission of defence and security in the age of AI. We are bringing together world-class researchers, industry innovators and government partners to tackle some of the hardest problems in complex, high-risk decision-making. This is about ensuring that the UK can make faster, better and more informed decisions than its adversaries – ethically, transparently and responsibly.”

DecisionWorks will operate as a collaborative hub based in Lincoln, with its initial work focused on Defence use cases. It will connect specialist teams with real-world challenges to speed up development cycles and raise the readiness of emerging technologies for operational deployment.

The launch event brought together senior figures from the Defence community who outlined current capability gaps and priority areas for innovation. DecisionWorks sits within the University’s wider research activity in artificial intelligence, digital systems, and applied solutions for national security.

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