A risk management expert is urging the region’s farmers to improve their health and safety standards after official figures revealed the East Midlands has the highest number of work-related fatal injuries across England’s agricultural industry.

Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that four people in the region’s agricultural sector were killed in 2022/23.

Alex Cormack, of Lycetts Risk Management Services, said: “It’s tragic that the number of deaths in the region has increased. Some fatalities can be attributed to freak accidents, but others could be avoided by adopting a more rigorous approach to safety.”

Across Britain, there were 21 fatalities in agriculture – two fewer than last year.

Cormack said: “The drop in the number of fatalities is encouraging, but I would urge those who work in the industry to remain vigilant, and to avoid becoming complacent. Agriculture is still a dangerous industry to work in, coming second only to construction in the number of annual fatalities.”

A third of all fatal injuries in agriculture were caused by people coming into contact with cattle. This was followed by being struck by an object/falling from height, contact with machinery/contact with a stationary or fixed object, and contact with a moving vehicle/being trapped by something collapsing.

Fatalities in the East Midlands included a 45-year-old employee struck by an object at a farm in Worksop, an 82-year-old Matlock farm worker falling from height, and a 60-year-old farmer in the Hope Valley killed after coming into contact with a fixed/stationary object.

Cormack said: “Over the last five years, 64 per cent of all fatalities in the sector involved the self-employed. This suggests that although employers may be conscientious about health and safety measures and training for their staff, they are not giving their own personal safety enough attention.

“The ‘cost-of-business’ crisis is putting a lot of pressure on the agricultural industry, and there could be a danger that in order to make savings, or to save time, some people may be tempted to take risks. This could leave families devastated, and businesses ruined.

“To help prevent such tragedies occurring, risk assessments should be thorough, all appropriate training should be undertaken, and safety policies should be implemented.”

Nottingham software firm NoBlue has received a growth investment from specialist software & services focused lower mid-market growth investor, FPE Capital LLP and merged with NetSuite Solution Provider Elevate2. NoBlue has focused on Oracle NetSuite since 2011 and was recognised as EMEA Oracle NetSuite Partner of the Year in 2022. The company has offices in the UK and Spain and customers around the world. It specialises in supporting digital transformation, leveraging Oracle NetSuite, whether clients require Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Professional Services Automation (PSA) or Commerce, or a combination of all of these. Elevate2, founded in 2015, is the largest independent NetSuite Solution Provider, headquartered in London, with a further office in the Philippines. It has extensive experience in NetSuite, as well as supporting the implementations of other business applications including Oracle Fusion, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, and Sage. Paying homage to both businesses’ history and cultures the combined business will trade under the name NoBlue2. Ian Irwin, founder of NoBlue, has become CEO of the group, with Alex Lester, founder of Elevate2, becoming COO. With FPE’s support, the combined business is now planning to invest further into application development and related services, and to scale the business further internationally. This investment is the fifth investment from FPE Fund III – the firm’s third specialist software and services fund, the successful final close of which was announced in May 2022, at a raised hard cap of £185m. As part of this investment, Glenn Timms is appointed as non-executive chair of the group. A serial chair, Glenn has extensive experience of helping private equity backed technology and service orientated businesses scale-up within rapidly changing UK and US markets. Ian Irwin, founder at NoBlue, said: “We identified that FPE was the right partner, not just on its track record of backing software companies and its expertise in the next stage of growth that we are targeting, but also in helping us with key initiatives such as moving further into international markets. “Additionally, our merger with Elevate2 is a key enabler in our ambitious growth strategy. Elevate2 have displayed impressive growth, serving well a large and diverse portfolio of customers. The additions this merger brings to our project delivery, and leadership, teams are an important step to provide us a solid platform for continued and accelerated growth.” Alex Lester, founder at Elevate2, added: “This is great news for the whole Elevate2 team and our customers. The synergies between NoBlue and Elevate2 are very strong and will benefit our team and customers alike. We are all very excited about the combination and the future growth opportunities.” Glenn Timms, chair, said: “It is a fantastic opportunity to be asked to join the business as non-executive chairman. The businesses have already each developed market leading positions that generate material value for their clients and the combination is poised for significant future growth. I look forward to working with the team and to supporting them as we scale further.” Dan Walker, partner at FPE, said: “FPE is delighted to have completed this investment into NoBlue2, our fifth from Fund III. Our investment focus is on enabling software founders and teams to go through a second stage of growth and scaling after they have established their business and reputations in a chosen B2B sector. “We consider the opportunity for ERP and related applications to be significant and growing, and could quickly see the value that Ian and Alex had built in their respective businesses, and the power of the combination. We are excited to be working with them on the next part of this journey and to further build the group organically and via acquisition.”

With nominations OPEN until Thursday 31 August for East Midlands Business Link’s annual Bricks Awards, shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, there are 10 categories available to enter, offering an opportunity showcase outstanding businesses, teams and projects at the prestigious event. One such category is the ever-popular Contractor of the Year, which can be entered here. Celebrating the contractors who work on the project, this award celebrates builders, construction companies and the contractors themselves, and nominees should be those who have gone above and beyond the word of the contract to deliver a truly exceptional service. Last year the award was won by Cawarden, who also took home Responsible Business of the Year. After the 2022 event, William Crooks, Managing Director of Cawarden, said: “It was fantastic for Cawarden to be presented with not one but two prestigious awards at this year’s Bricks Awards. “We received the Contractor of the Year title for the second year in a row, which is absolutely fantastic to be recognised again for our project and service delivery expertise. Despite the challenging landscape, we’ve had an exceptional year, achieving sustainable growth whilst delivering a diverse range of projects for some of the UK’s leading clients. “A big thank you to the judges and congratulations must also go to all the other award finalists and winners. The event was a real showcase for the regional property and construction sector, and we are more than proud to be part of it!” Honourable mentions for the category in 2022 included Galliford Try Construction and Enrok Construction. With this year’s Contractor of the Year award once again sponsored by specialist, leading environmental consultant RammSanderson, the company said: “RammSanderson are thrilled to be sponsoring the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023, backing Contractor of the Year, for the second year in a row. “By sponsoring this award we want to celebrate the contractors who go above and beyond the word of the contract to deliver a truly exceptional service. We are excited to see what the nominees have accomplished, to celebrate their achievements and get the chance to network with property and construction professionals from across the region at the Bricks 2023.”

Submit your nominations for Contractor of the Year here before entries close on Thursday 31 August.

Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region. Other award categories open for entry include: Most Active Estate Agent, Commercial Development of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Developer of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here. The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 28 September 2023 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment and Place Marketing at Leicester City Council, our keynote speaker. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:                                                             To be held at: