Nottingham-based Renato Software Ltd acquires Improve Productions Ltd
The UK’s leading provider of safeguarding and class monitoring software has acquired online training platform Improve Productions Ltd – with plans for “substantial growth”.
Nottingham-based Renato Software Ltd, which operates as Senso.cloud, works with schools and global companies to protect users with its industry-leading cloud software.
The business is now expanding with the acquisition of Improve Productions Limited – formerly known as Peritus Productions – an online training provider for small- and medium-sized businesses.
The acquisition, which was completed alongside advisors from Knights, will not affect existing customers of either brand – with Sam Merrall and Steve Walker joining Renato Software from Improve’s leadership team.
Michael Payne, Director of Operations at Renato Software Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have acquired Improve Productions Ltd. We have been working with Peritus productions Ltd – now Improve Productions Ltd – for a while and this partnership allowed us to understand their platform in depth.
“It made sense to work much closer by acquiring the company, enabling us to add real value to our existing customers and to continue to grow exponentially.
“It was great to work with Knights on this deal and they enabled us to make this a really smooth process.”
Steve Walker, Director at Improve Productions Ltd, said: “This acquisition will enable substantial growth for Improve Productions Ltd as Renato come with a wealth of experience, some new routes to market and a team of marketing and sales staff to support the business and drive it forward. I am really looking forward to being part of this journey.”
Renato Software Ltd worked on the acquisition with advisors at Knights. The team was led by Partner Rachel Bennett with support from Hannah Jones, Sam Swiatkiewicz and Will Dennis – with accountancy advice provided by Doug Perry at Clayton and Brewill.
Rachel Bennett, Partner at Knights, said: “This is a great move for Senso, and we were really pleased to help them make sure everything is a good fit for their long-term plans.”
trentbarton’s Tom takes group role
trentbarton Group Commercial Director Tom Morgan has stepped up to his new role as Managing Director for all the bus operators in trentbarton’s parent company Wellglade.
The move follows last month’s retirement of trentbarton and Kinchbus Managing Director Jeff Counsell, after almost half a century in the bus industry. Wellglade bus operators also include Midland General, Notts & Derby and TM Travel.
Tom said: “It’s an honour to lead our wonderful teams, fronted by our friendly local drivers. Working across the group, benefits all the operators and enables us to take advantage of closer cooperation.
“There is more and more crossover between fully commercial and supported services, and the group structure now means we are best placed to take advantage of all new opportunities regardless of their type.
“trentbarton and Kinchbus will remain a major focus for me and I will also be supporting the great managers who run all our operators. I want all our teams to be empowered to think of their team as their own business that they can develop and improve, enhancing their key role within the communities they serve.
“We are not afraid to innovate, and we will capitalise on technological advances to keep our offering simple and to enhance our customers’ experience from the moment they leave their front door.
“The number one challenge remains getting more people back on buses, so we will be building on our really strong relationships with our local councils to overcome the biggest obstacle we face – congestion.
“We can’t solve that problem alone but we can, and will, work with local authorities to identify the biggest traffic pinch points and come up with solutions and cooperate with them to implement those answers.
“Less congestion means quicker journeys which means we can boost timetables, invest in the fleet and retain value for money fares.
“We will also focus on cleaner transport and explore the potential of electric and hydrogen buses. Wellglade’s board are local bus people through and through and that, combined with our size, means we can be quick to make decisions and try new things.”
Wellglade chairman Brian King said: “Tom has a wide experience of the bus companies in our group, having held various positions over the last few years from operating depots to heading up our commercial and marketing functions.
“We wish him well in his new role as managing director of those bus companies. Alongside the recent arrival of John Bickerton as group engineering director, the group is now better positioned for our operators to create synergies and seize new opportunities.”
Tom Morgan joined Wellglade in 2009 to work on the Nottingham Tramlink project and has subsequently been trentbarton’s Assistant Operations Manager for Derby and the General Manager at Kinchbus before taking on Directorial roles across operations and then commercial.
Work starts on site at housing development in Worksop
Construction works for a new housing development in Worksop, Nottinghamshire will soon be taking place.
Leading midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, has been appointed to construct and design 90 houses on the vacant site off Radford Street, which has been procured through the Pagabo Framework for Major Construction Works.
The Manton Development will comprise of a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses, built over two and three-storeys, as well as two-bedroom bungalows. The site will also include green and open spaces, cycle routes and places for play and social interaction.
All homes will benefit from energy efficient air source heat pumps, solar panels, highly insulated walls, floors, and roofs, and in addition – electrical vehicle charging points will be installed for residents, contributing to the reduction of fossil fuel usage.
Planning permission was originally granted in spring 2019 for the site, with future plans for the project to seek further permission for a scheme of one and two-bedroom apartments – taking the final development up to approximately 120 homes.
The first phase of the build will see the council deliver its very first low-carbon modular homes which form a key part of its vision to increase housing stock, contribute to net zero ambitions, and encourage growth and investment within the local economy.
Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It’s fantastic to be working with Bassetlaw District Council on this high-profile development and we look forward to starting on the low carbon modular housing scheme in Worksop, which will see 90 homes brought to the market town.
“The scheme forms a key part of the council’s vision to significantly transform the local economy, by encouraging growth and investment in the area, allowing more people to live and work in the region. We look forward to seeing the development take shape over the next few months.”
Councillor Steve Scotthorne, Cabinet Member for Housing at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “This project will deliver a modern, innovative and energy efficient housing scheme that improves neighbourhoods, supports local jobs, and continues our ambition to increase the amount of Council Housing in our District.
“This is the Council’s first modular home development, which will provide future residents with well insulated and energy efficient homes that are powered by low carbon energy, and work on this exciting first phase is expected to begin in June.
“I am looking forward to seeing how this project grows over the coming months and we are delighted to be working with G F Tomlinson who has a fantastic track record of delivering projects of this kind.”
FTSE 100 giant bets on Landa
Landa Associates director Sunny Landa FRICS has been instructed to provide strategic advice for one of the UK’s largest sports betting and gaming groups.
Entain plc – which owns the Ladbrokes Coral Group – has appointed Sunny to advise on rents for a number of the Company’s prime locations across the East Midlands.
Entain owns a host of big-name brands including the aforementioned Labrokes and Coral, as well as popular online betting sites such as sportingbet, Gala Bingo and PartyPoker.
Sunny Landa FRICS said: “Entain plc is one of the biggest names in the sports betting industry. Its Ladbrokes and Coral brands are instantly recognisable fixtures of the UK high street. To have received this particular instruction when we did is a real indication of how far we have come in such a short space of time.
“The job has been hugely enjoyable and it’s a real buzz to work with such a huge, internationally renowned company. Most people have heard of Ladbrokes and Coral! I am immensely proud to have been instructed to provide strategic advice and regional market intelligence to a FTSE 100 company.”
Andy Davison MRICS, Entain’s Retail Property Director commented: “We have been delighted to collaborate with Sunny and his team on this project and continue to be impressed by their agile, commercial and professional service.”
Ryan Fairfield MRICS, Estates Controller, added: “Sunny has proven to be an excellent addition to our network of property advisers. We enjoy working with businesses whose values align with our own.”
Derby named as national HQ for Great British Railways
Derby has been named as the national headquarters of Great British Railways, marking a key milestone in the government’s plan to reform the nation’s railways.
As Europe’s largest rail hub, Derby will soon become the heart of Great Britain’s rail industry, bringing track and train together and delivering high-skilled jobs to a city already brimming with the best talent in the industry. The next step is to pick a physical location for the HQ.
Derby was selected from a shortlist of six, with an application that demonstrated strong links to the wider network, well-established connections with the industry, supply chain and customers, as well as an extensive local cluster of private sector rail businesses.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Today’s announcement is not only a huge win for the brilliant city of Derby, but a key milestone for the entire rail industry across the country. Great British Railways will put the passenger first, promoting collaboration and innovation across a joined-up, efficient and modern network.
Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Derby has been selected to become the home of Great British Railways. This result is a testament to the hard work of our team, alongside our key rail and city partners based across Derby – we couldn’t have done it without them.
“Rail heritage is at the heart of our city and for this to be recognised by government is a fantastic achievement. The investment we’ll see from this significant move will be huge, not only just for Derby but for levelling up across the whole of the wider East Midlands.
“We have a rich history of being the only city in the UK to have manufactured rolling stock continuously since 1840, so I’m thrilled that Derby’s heritage is being recognised in this defining way. We can’t wait to see what this momentous move will mean for Derby and its citizens in the future.”
While Great British Railway’s headquarters will be in Derby, other towns and cities across Britain, potentially including the five other shortlists, will still benefit, becoming powered up regional GBR hubs equipped with local decision making, and investment powers aimed at benefiting their local communities and further creating jobs in the locations they serve. GBR will also have roles spanning across Great Britain including the North, South East, South West and London, with the HQ driving collaboration and innovation across the sector. The government is working closely and collaboratively with the Great British Transition Team to co-design the future of our railways. Passengers and freight customers will be GBR’s key priority, the new body will also take control of the industry’s finances to drive efficiency and work with the private sector to deliver for customers. Great British Railways will be locally led and will harness the potential of the private sector locally, regionally and nationally. Anit Chandarana, Lead Director of the Great British Railways Transition Team, added: “The announcement that Derby will be the home of the Great British Railways headquarters is another important milestone on our journey to create a simpler and better railway for everyone in Britain. “Although Derby will be the home of our headquarters, Great British Railways will also introduce empowered regional centres, to bring decision making and leadership much closer to local customers and communities.“The Transition Team is continuing to work with government and the wider rail industry to deliver this much needed reform and we look forward to working with colleagues in Derby in the coming months, too.”
Scheme avoiding food waste secures national award nomination for Nottingham
An innovative project saving surplus food from being wasted has delivered around 1,000 meals a week to charities and has been shortlisted for a national award.
Nottingham City Council’s meal production project in partnership with FareShare Midlands, FareShare UK and Sainsbury’s has been going from strength to strength since its launch in July last year.
In recognition of our work with FareShare the council has been nominated for a prestigious Public Sector Catering Award for Sustainability. The awards celebrate the work of individuals, teams and organisations in the catering industry that work to make a difference whether that be in schools, universities, NHS or local government.
Nottingham City Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People and Education, said: “This important project is reducing the environmental impact of food waste while bringing healthy food to community groups. The project is giving volunteers valuable opportunities to develop their skills, take part in training, improve their employability and improve mental wellbeing. The meals created have been of an excellent standard and it is evident that the meals are making a difference to people who receive them.”
The FareShare team has been creating delicious meals that make a difference to local people in need and saving food from going to waste. FareShare Midlands are using the commercial kitchen at Loxley House, Nottingham City Council’s HQ, to make meals from surplus food from the food industry that would otherwise be thrown away. The meals are delivered to local charities dealing with poverty, isolation and the cost of living crisis.
By the end of December 2022, the kitchen had:
- Saved eight tonnes of surplus food going to waste, equivalent to 20 tonnes CO2
- Distributed 6.8 tonnes of food, equivalent to 19,428 meals
- Cooked, frozen and delivered around 1,000 meals per week
- Registered 19 Nottingham charitable groups to receive meals.
Notts domestic abuse charity and leading comms agency stand together to say ‘no more’
LEADING full-service marketing agency Cartwright Communications has announced Nottingham’s largest domestic abuse organisation, Juno Women’s Aid as its charity of the year.
The news coincides with the 10th annual No More Week from 5-12 March by national campaign UK Says No More, which aims to raise awareness for domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The agency collectively chose Juno in a team-wide vote, with plans to support the charity through fundraising events and pro-bono services throughout 2023.
For more than four decades, Juno has been helping women, children and young people in Nottingham and south Nottinghamshire, empowering them to live free from abuse. At any one time, the team supports up to 600 people.
Its wide range of services includes secure refuge accommodation and a 24-hour free helpline where survivors can speak to specialist trained female support workers, available 365 days a year.
Drop-in crisis support sessions, survivor advocacy, stalking advocacy, and family court advice are also provided.
Another integral part of Juno’s mission to help women fleeing abuse, is through the pet foster project – providing a safe place for pets to be housed temporarily while they go to a refuge or emergency accommodation.
Liz Cartwright, managing director at Cartwright Communications, said: “As part of our business CSR approach, we took the decision to appoint a charity of the year to help focus our attention on an important cause. This was a collaborative decision from the whole Cartwright team, who all felt Juno Women’s Aid was a vital asset to our Nottingham community and wider county.
“The work Juno does is nothing short of incredible, offering a lifeline to vulnerable women, children and young people. With the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, families and individuals are facing extreme financial pressures, making it even harder to leave an unsafe or abusive home environment. This means charities like Juno will be more needed than ever.
“As well as providing our PR services, we will be looking at ways we can raise awareness and funds for Juno through office and team events as well as working with our brilliant client base.”
The charity works across the city of Nottingham, Broxtowe, Gedling, Rushcliffe and Broxtowe. Between 2020 and 2021, it supported 2,147 women, 375 children and young people, fostered 39 pets and received more than 17,000 calls to the helpline.
Yasmin Rehman, CEO at Juno Women’s Aid said: “We’re incredibly proud to be nominated as Cartwright Communications’ chosen charity of the year. We look forward to working closely with colleagues at Cartwright Communications to help create a safer space for women, children and young people so they can live a life free from abuse.”
Cartwright Communications is an accredited ‘Great Place To Work’ ranking the sixth best small business for women to work for in the UK. It was also placed as one of PR Week’s top agencies in the UK in 2022.
Start on new workspace development to be made next month
Next month Leicester firm Brackley Property Developments and the city council will start work on expansion the Dock and Dock 2 workspace hub to create an innovative workspace development for high-tech industries at the heart of Space City.
Two Dock-style office buildings and a terrace of high-quality manufacturing spaces will provide space for up to 45 businesses across 4,000sqm, with the purpose-built industrial units providing 2,000sqm of workspace across nine units.
A range of energy efficiency measures will mean the new buildings will be net carbon zero in operation. They will feature include roof mounted photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps, super insulation, low-energy LED lighting and will require no gas heating. Chargers will also be installed for electric vehicles in the new parking area.
The buildings have been designed to complement the look and feel of the original two Dock workspace buildings which they will be built next to.
The new buildings will become part of the Dock campus which is managed by the city council. The existing Dock buildings are now home to around 50 businesses, with 90 per cent of the available workspaces now occupied.
The £16.5million project will be supported by £13million from the Government’s Levelling Up fund. The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) is also providing £3.5million towards the project from Enterprise Zone Retained Business Rates.
Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Space City Leicester has put our city firmly on the map for research, production and manufacture in the space industry.
“We’re proud to build on that momentum by further expanding our innovative Dock workspace hub with three new, low carbon buildings which will help meet demand from businesses keen to locate here from the UK and overseas. The new buildings will also provide valuable grow-on space and much-needed manufacturing facilities for our local talent and high-tech entrepreneurs.”
Neil McGhee, LLEP Board Member and Low Carbon Champion, said: “This new R&D workspace will support the growth of high-tech businesses and help to create 270 jobs at the heart of Space City Leicester.
“Occupancy rates at existing Dock buildings demonstrate the strong demand for this type of facility and this project will meet that by providing additional quality space which is developed with a clear focus on low carbon.”
Space City Leicester will create one of the largest and most connected Enterprise Zones for space-related activities in the UK. It will be home to space research, production, manufacture and development as well as non-space related knowledge economy businesses, those working towards decarbonisation, innovative start-ups and established businesses looking for grow on space.
The Space City partnership includes Space Park Leicester, University of Leicester, National Space Centre, Leicester City Council, and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP). Space City is part of the Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone.
SMB College Group Senior Leadership participate in CEO Sleepout to raise money to fight homelessness
SMB College Group are participating in the CEO Sleepout to help raise awareness for the vitally important cause of tackling homelessness, and to fundraise for the brilliant work done by the charity and our partners at The Leicester Tigers Foundation.
The sleepout will take place at Leicester Tigers’ home ground, the Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium, on the 6th of April this year.
Participating for SMB College Group will be Principal and CEO Dawn Whitemore, Jade Brindley (Director of Marketing and Business Analytics), Chesney Hassell (Lecturer and Work Based Learning Lead), Louise Whitemore (Careers, Work Experience and Destinations Manager), and Debbie Keegan (Director of Employer Engagement).
CEO Sleepout invites business leaders across the country to come together and sleep rough, raising money and awareness in the fight against poverty and homelessness in the UK.
Nearly 400 homes are made homeless every day in the UK and new research from Shelter shows that at least 271,000 people are recorded as homeless in England, including 123,000 children, with numbers predicted to rise even more post pandemic.
At SMB College Group, we believe everyone deserves the right to shelter and nobody should be forced to sleep on the streets, which is why we are supporting and participating in the CEO Sleepout and helping families, children and people that are in temporary accommodation or those threatened with homelessness across the UK.
Dawn Whitemore, Principal at SMB College Group said “As a college we believe in empowering people and ensuring everybody has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. By donating a night of our time and supporting the CEO Sleepout, we hope it will go some way in enabling opportunities to be created for those that find themselves facing tough times. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to provide everyone with the chance to reach their true potential and achieve their dreams.”
The CEO Sleepout charity was formed in 2013 and, so far, more than 5000 executives have raised £3,000,000, donating to over 100 charities and changing countless lives. But there is still so much to be done!
Learn more and support our Leadership team by donating at: https://www.justgiving.com/team/smbcollege
BDO expands Midlands team with trio of appointments
Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has strengthened its Midlands team with a trio of appointments across key areas of the business.
Martin Hodgkins and Adam Gaunt join the Digital & Risk Advisory Service (DRAS) team as Managers, with particular focus on the growing area of supply chain and logistics. They will work alongside Fraser Paget, who was appointed as Head of Supply Chain & Logistics in July 2022.
Adam, who has recently relocated from the UAE, joins from MMI, part of The Emirates Group, where he has spent the last eight years managing complex supply chains responsible for import/export logistics.
Martin brings 20 years’ experience within supply chain, procurement and logistics business functions. He also has extensive project management experience within retail and manufacturing supply chains and is a warehousing and e-commerce fulfilment specialist. He joins from Molson Coors Beverage Company.
Paget commented: “Strengthening our management team with the appointment of two highly experienced industry specialists, in Martin and Adam, will ensure we have the very best talent and experience to build our advisory service proposition over the long-term.
“Their appointments, alongside that of Andrew Horan, who joined at the end of last year as Senior Manager, form part of our continuing investment in talent in areas that allow us to best support our clients, maximise our value and protect the future sustainability of the business. Martin and Adam will play an important role in supporting how we deliver an innovative service proposition to clients in the fast-paced world of supply chain operations.”
The duo are joined by Paul Hope, who has been appointed as a Director in the Forensic and Valuations Services (FAVS) team. Paul specialises in insurance matters, disputes and deals, with a focus on increasing, protecting and recovering value for clients, as well as developing and advising them on the strategies needed to achieve such aims. He joins BDO following a 10-month career break.
Paul’s arrival follows the appointment of John Rouse as Partner in the FAVs team and the promotion of Sannan Khan to the same role at the end of 2022.
Kyla Bellingall, Regional Managing Partner at BDO in the Midlands, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Paul, Martin and Adam to the Midlands team. They bolster areas of client businesses that are rapidly expanding and showing significant growth potential, both regionally and nationally.
“It’s essential that we have the right people in place to help drive our ambitions, and their appointments once again reiterate our commitment to investing in the best regional talent at every level of our business – both internally and externally.”
