Finland is strengthening its presence in the East Midlands by reopening its honorary consulate in Nottingham.
Ambassador Jukka Siukosaari joins Ian Baxter, the new Honorary Consul for the opening ceremony on 10 March. Mr. Baxter has been doing business with Finland for over 25 years in freight and logistics. He will now help develop opportunities for Finnish businesses and to serve as a focal point for the local Finnish community.
Finland desires to have a stronger presence across all parts of the UK and sees Nottingham and the East Midlands as places with great potential to deepen economic and cultural ties.
The UK has always been an important trading partner for Finland and in the past year Finnish trade to the UK increased by around 15%. The new Honorary Consul will be able to build on this by making Finland and its products better known in the region.
Ian Baxter, Honorary Consul of Finland in Nottingham, said: “I am proud to take on the role of Honorary Consul of Finland, having been connected to the country since I was a boy through links established by my father.
“I’ve done business with the country myself since 1995, visiting many times, establishing and growing a company there, and building close personal friendships. Finland is a beautiful, modern, progressive nation and a natural partner for the UK. I’m excited to play my small part in helping relations between our two countries to flourish.”
Jukka Siukosaari, Ambassador of Finland to the United Kingdom, said: ”For the Embassy, our active honorary consuls are a valuable resource in promoting Finland all over the UK. Together with Mr Baxter we seek to identify new business opportunities and partnerships in Nottinghamshire.”
Honorary consulates, such as that in Nottingham, augment Finland’s network of diplomatic missions, made up of embassies, consulate generals, consulates and other liaison offices. Honorary consuls are private individuals who take care of their tasks on a part-time basis without remuneration.
Together with diplomatic missions, an honorary consul promotes economic and cultural relations between Finland and the country in question, and takes part in strengthening Finland’s image abroad. An honorary consul can advise Finnish companies, for instance, in obtaining information about local business culture and in finding cooperation partners.
Derbyshire partnership scoops first prize at prestigious awards ceremony
A Derbyshire partnership has just scooped first prize at the Building Communities Awards 2023.
Private property insulation firm Westville, Amber Valley Borough Council, and Futures Housing Group fought off fierce completion to lift the collaboration award at this prestigious event for a joint venture they completed across Amber Valley.
Over 250 homes benefitted from a mix of high-quality insulation, solar or a combination of the two, resulting in significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions for hundreds of residents.
The scheme was made possible by utilising grant funding from the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and could not have come at a better time, as we continue to see energy bills soar.
Sean Stevenson, Managing Director of Westville, said: “It’s great to win this award, which recognises how organisations work together to overcome challenges to achieve a common end goal.
“However, the real win here is for residents in Ironville and Ripley. Participating households in Ironville should save on average £315 per year on their energy bills, while in Ripley, it is likely to be in the region of £540 per year. This will make a huge financial difference to them at a time when they need it most.
“The overall success of this project is a real lesson in the benefits of private/public collaborative working, and I’m so pleased the judges recognised it.”
Green light for Lincolnshire college’s new learning centre
A new bespoke learning centre for young people and adults studying at Boston College has been given the go-ahead – following support by planning experts at Marrons.
The two-storey Mayflower building – which is one of the Boston Town Deal projects – will provide high-quality further education training facilities alongside public access spaces, including a cafe, restaurant, and hair and beauty salon, which will be managed by the college and staffed by students to provide real work experience opportunities.
It will also include exhibition and events spaces, a digital hub, business incubation units for local start-up companies, conference facilities and meetings rooms, and 74 car and 60 bicycle parking spaces.
Claire Foster, Boston College principal and CEO said: “We are thrilled that planning permission for the iconic Mayflower, the flagship project of Boston’s Town Deal fund, has been granted. The state-of-the-art facility will provide a shining beacon of aspiration for higher level and adult education at a time when our town needs it most.”
The existing Ingelow Centre will be demolished to make way for the 1,940sqm building. The site, which was previously a care home, was acquired by Boston College to house its foundation learners, who will be moving into a newly-refurbished building based on the main Rochford Campus.
Jacqueline Jackson, planning director at Marrons, said: “The unique Mayflower building will provide facilities not currently available within Boston, enabling businesses and learners to connect, create and innovate together, and acting as a catalyst to drive forward significant economic growth.
“It is great that were able to deliver permission promptly to enable the development to progress quickly, especially because the multi-functioning space will make a big difference to the everyday life of the local community. We look forward to seeing it complete and the high-quality facility welcoming students and businesses alike.”
The Mayflower is benefitting from £10 million in Towns Fund investment.
Neil Kempster, chair of Boston Town Deal, said: “It is fantastic news that planning consent has been granted for the Mayflower. This is a significant step towards creating a new, inspirational centre for learning in Boston.
“The Mayflower project has always been the flagship scheme within the Town Deal portfolio and it is brilliant news that it has taken a massive step forward with the grant of planning permission. We look forward to continuing to work with Boston College as they bring this important project to fruition, which will provide many more opportunities for local people to gain skills, knowledge and training.”
The project is part of a wider proposal that will deliver a high-quality public realm linking the Mayflower building the redevelopment of the adjacent leisure centre.
Leicester landlords face £2,500 fine for ‘to let’ board rule violation
Leicester City Council is preparing to renew its powers to control the way landlords put up boards advertising their properties in some parts of the city, meaning they’ll need planing connect.
It’s almost five years since the city council applied a new ‘Regulation 7 Direction’ effectively banning the use of ‘To Let’ boards in the city’s Castle, Knighton, Saffron and Westcotes wards of the city, close to the University of Leicester and De Montfort University.
Failure to comply, could face court action and a fine of up to £2,500.
The existing legal direction is due to expire in July 2023, and the city council is planning to apply for its renewal.
Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair, said: “Prior to bringing these new powers into effect, many people who lived close to the universities were concerned about the almost permanent proliferation of ‘To Let’ boards on their streets.
“Since the direction was implemented, there has been a significant reduction in illegally displayed ‘To Let’ boards which has led to an improvement in the appearance of the affected areas. We don’t want to see the advertising boards becoming an eyesore in these areas again and hope to renew the legal powers which have helped us to successfully tackle the problem.”
Administrators appointed to Bromford Industries and Accrofab
Bromford Industries Limited and Accrofab Limited, based across three sites in Leicester, Derby and Alcester, have entered administration.
The companies are tier one suppliers to global OEMs in the aerospace, defence and power generation industries, specialising in the precision manufacturing and fabrication of components. Collectively, they employ 309 members of staff.
Like many other companies across the industrial manufacturing sector, the businesses have faced a number of challenges in recent times including escalating raw material and energy costs, supply chain disruption, and the wider impact on demand as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the facilities at Derby and Alcester were continuing to trade well, operational issues at the Leicester facility further exacerbated the liquidity challenges faced by the companies. In recent weeks, attempts have been made to seek urgent additional financial support from customers in order for production to continue.
After a series of productive discussions, the directors of the businesses have taken steps to protect the interests of creditors by seeking the appointment of joint administrators – Ryan Grant and Chris Pole from Interpath Advisory. This will allow the companies to continue to trade while the administrators seek buyers for the businesses and their assets. All members of staff will be retained by the administrators to enable trade to continue.
The U.S. operations and businesses of Bromford Group, including AeroCision and Numet, continue to operate entirely as usual and outside of the administration process.
Ryan Grant, Managing Director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “Over the past 50 years, Bromford Industries has forged an excellent reputation as a tier one supplier of fabricated and machined components to the aerospace, defence and power generation sectors.
“We have been pleased with the positive conversations and financial support provided by customers in recent days, which has ultimately provided the businesses with a crucial lifeline. We’d also like to extend thanks to the companies’ employees for their support and understanding while this process has been underway.
“Our priority is now to seek buyers for the businesses and assets, and would urge any interested parties to contact us as soon as possible.”
Marketing and communications manager promotion makes Scarlet trentbarton’s youngest team leader
Scarlet McCourt has been promoted as trentbarton’s marketing and communications manager, making the 25-year-old the bus operator’s youngest team leader.
Scarlet, who lives in Long Eaton, has been with trentbarton for five years after joining from Nottinghamshire County Council where she was an apprentice from 17 and then part of the digital marketing team.
At trentbarton Scarlet was firstly the marketing and communications assistant before her first promotion to digital marketing executive, leading the company’s social media and wider online presence.
From traveling to school on buses and with a grandfather who drove for Barton Buses, Scarlet appeared destined to work in the bus sector and said: “No working day is the same at trentbarton. It keeps me on my toes.
“trentbarton is a very forward thinking company, especially in its marketing. So I was very excited when this new opportunity arose. I feel ready and confident that I know the business and the industry well after five years here.
“We are going to stay on the front foot and showcase the trentbarton personality. There is great potential for positive change and I’m very pleased to be part of that.”
Tom Morgan, Managing Director (buses) for all the bus operators of trentbarton’s parent company Wellglade, said: “Scarlet has really stepped up and led the team very effectively.
“Scarlet has a wonderful management style that brings the team with her and is very strong on the detail. Because she is a bus user, Scarlet understands our customers and market.
“Scarlet has key traits which bring a fresh and insightful perspective, adding huge value to the whole business.”
Work begins on Manton housing development
The building of 90 new Council houses on a vacant site in Worksop is just a matter of months away as the next stage of the project has been unveiled.
The final elements of planning permission for the housing development off Radford Street, Manton were granted in January of this year and Derbyshire-based contractor G F Tomlinson will be leading the development, which is expected to begin in early summer.
The first phase of the project will deliver Bassetlaw District Council’s very first low-carbon modular homes and forms a key part of its vision to increase its housing stock, contribute to its net zero ambitions, and encourage growth and investment in the local economy.
Cllr 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 the Council’s ambition to increase the amount of Council Housing in our district.
“Work on this exciting first phase is expected to begin in June and I am looking forward to seeing how this project grows over the coming months. 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.
“We are delighted to be working with G F Tomlinson who have a fantastic track record of delivering projects like this one.”
The first phase of development at Radford Street will incorporate a mix of two, three and four bed houses built over two and three storeys, as well as two-bed bungalows.
All homes will benefit from energy efficient Air Source Heat Pumps, Solar PV, and highly insulated walls, floors and roofs. In addition, electric vehicle charging points will help residents to contribute to reducing fossil fuel emissions.
It will also include the provision of a network of green and open spaces, cycle routes and places for play and socialising.
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 this 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.”
The project has been procured though the Pagabo Framework for Major Construction Works, which is a nationally recognised compliant procurement route for public sector schemes.
Future plans for the project will include seeking planning permission for a scheme of one and two-bed apartments, taking the final development up to approx. 120 homes.
Planning permission was originally granted for the site in spring 2019. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the project was delayed but further progress was made with the clearance of the site in summer 2021, following an ecology assessment, in addition to creating a new boundary fence.
Leading accountancy practices merge
Streets Chartered Accountants, a top 40 UK accountancy practice, has announced the establishment of Streets Eadie Young Chartered Accountants.
The announcement follows the merger of the Banbury practice, Eadie Young Chartered Accountants with Streets Chartered Accountants, a mid-tier multi regional practice.
When asked about the merger, Doug Eadie, director, said: “This combination is a great match, both in terms of client focus and cultural fit. Now that Eadie Young is part of a larger practice we can confidently promise greater continuity of service to our clients and improved career prospects for our team.
“We also believe that our clients will benefit in that the combined firm will be able to offer a wider range of services including areas of specialist corporate and private client tax planning, international advice and personal financial planning.”
Nathan Bignell, a fellow director with Eadie Young, becomes Streets Eadie Young’s Managing Director. Commenting on his promotion and the merger, he said: “This is an exciting change and supports the rapid growth we have seen as a firm over the past decade. We are now able to offer a much-enhanced service to both existing and potential clients whilst still being able to provide the personal, responsive assistance our clients require, essential in any modern practice.”
Looking at what the merger means to Streets, the firm’s managing partner, Paul Tutin, said: “With Streets’ existing offices across eastern and central England we have been looking to establish a presence in Oxfordshire. With our presence now in Oxfordshire along with existing offices in Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire we are very much part of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.
“Whilst we considered opening a new office in the county, we really wanted to join up with another like-minded firm. We were therefore delighted to enter into a conversation with Eadie Young. Very early on in our discussions it was clear that we shared the same vision and values for the profession and for supporting our clients.
“By coming together both Eadie Young and ourselves will be able to capitalise on our respective expertise and will be better placed to grow, develop and support the needs of both existing and future clients. We also feel that the merger brings exciting opportunities for our team members and for new recruits who can join a progressive and expanding practice. With the Streets Eadie Young office in Banbury, we now have 20 offices from Manchester in the north to Brighton in the south.
“Whilst many large firms have moved to more regional models, Streets remains committed to and focused on looking after clients that live, work, and operate businesses in the local area. This approach is very much at the heart of our strategic focus for growth, which is likely to include further mergers of like-minded firms. Our aspiration is to become a top 20 UK practice by 2030.”
Streets Law, the firm’s dedicated corporate and commercial law offering led by Managing Director and solicitor, Adam Aisthorpe, undertook the legal work on behalf of Streets for the merger, including drafting the sale and purchase agreement and dealing with the due diligence process in collaboration with internal colleagues in the tax and audit teams at Streets.
Legal work on behalf of the Shareholders of Eadie Young Ltd, was led by Hitendra Patel, director and head of Company Commercial with regional law firm, Spratt Endicott Solicitors.
Headlam invests over £300,000 into Leicester flooring trade counter
Headlam Floorcoverings, the UK’s largest flooring supply specialist, has invested over £320,000 in the newly opened Garrard Waters trade-only counter on Freemans Common Industrial Estate, Chiswick Road, Leicester.
The trades of Leicester have unrivalled access to the UK’s widest range of floor coverings, tools, and accessories, including specialist brands such as Ardex, Mapei, Bostik, and F. Ball.
Located with other key trade outlets, the Garrard Waters trade centre has easy access to the A426 and plenty of free parking on site. Managed by Luke Northern, Luke said: “We are looking forward to welcoming all trades to the counter and sharing our knowledge and experience with our customers.”
The Garrard Waters flooring trade centre is a trade-only store and takes cash or account payments.
“Our location, seconds from the A426 is convenient for trades to collect their orders or pick products from our fully stocked shelves. We’re open from 7:30am to allow our account holders to get ahead with the Leicester traffic,” stated Luke.
He continued: “We have thousands of products on our shelves and a national network to get next-day delivery on even more, including carpets and vinyl cut to your requirements. Our door is always open to the trade; however, we also take orders over the phone and via the MyHeadlam APP. You can even get a free hot drink from the self-serving drinks machine!”
The Garrard Waters trade counter is open from 7:30am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, and offers next working day delivery if ordered by 4 p.m. Orders by phone on 0116 254 3270 or Luke Northern can be contacted via email at Luke.Northern@garrardwaters.co.uk.
New £5.5m national Institute of Technical Skills and Strategy to be hosted by University of Nottingham
A new £5.5 million national institute is to be launched to ensure that the UK has the technical capability and capacity across academia, research, education, and innovation to enable the UK to be a global superpower in science, engineering, and the creative industries.
The UK Institute of Technical Skills and Strategy (ITSS) is funded by Research England, which is part of UK Research and Innovation. It is being hosted by the University of Nottingham in partnership with a network of organisations and institutions across UK higher education and research.
Technical professionals enable research and innovation in our universities and institutes and build, maintain and enable the use of the UK’s research infrastructure. Despite their critical contributions to UK R&D and HE, technical roles have experienced a lack of visibility, recognition and career development. Career pathways and professional development (PD) can be poor, and an aging workforce means that large numbers of skilled technicians are retiring.
The new institute will focus on technical skills, roles and careers, and their contributions to the economy and how the technical talent and know-how required to fulfil the government’s ambitions for the UK to become an innovation nation can be delivered.
Dr Kelly Vere, Director of Technical Strategy at the University of Nottingham and Programme Director, Technician Commitment (Science Council), who is spearheading the new initiative, said: “We frequently discuss the emerging technologies needed to drive innovation, but rarely do we consider the expert technical skills, roles and careers required to use these technologies. Technical expertise is critical to the success of UK Higher Education (HE), research and innovation, and the growth of the UK economy.
“The UK has a shortage of technicians across all sectors, and there are significant ED&I challenges impacting the current workforce. These factors pose a serious threat to the UK’s innovative strength and global competitiveness.
“We are delighted to be establishing the UK Institute for Technical Strategy to ensure that we have the technical capability and capacity across the country to realise the UK’s ambitions of being a research and innovation superpower.”
The new institute builds on two initiatives which have begun to address this challenge and become the catalyst for advancing the landscape and culture for the technical community.
The Gatsby-funded Technician Commitment has seen universities, research institutes, professional bodies, learned societies and funders sign up to the initiative, which aims to increase the visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability of technical skills, roles and careers. It has established recognition of the challenges facing the technical community, started to build a national community of practice, and initiated a commitment from more than 110 organisations. The Technician Commitment will be hosted at the new institute upon its inception.
The TALENT programme, awarded by Research England to the Midlands Innovation consortium in 2020, has begun to build sector wide strategic insight into the UK’s HE and research technical skills base through its TALENT Commission. It has also designed, developed and piloted practical interventions to address the challenges highlighted by the Technician Commitment.
The TALENT Commission established the need for a new, independent, collaborative entity to build on the partnership approach of the Technician Commitment and the legacy of TALENT.
The launch of the ITSS was announced at an event in Westminster to celebrate the impact and progress of the TALENT Commission report, one year on, and to showcase how its recommendations are being implemented across the sector.
Minister of State at the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman, said: “We are funding the Institute of Technical Skills and Strategy to ensure that we continue to have the necessary technical expertise and capabilities to excel across research, education, and innovation today, while also nurturing the next generation of talent to drive the science, technology & innovation of tomorrow.
“Opening up high-skilled jobs in thriving sectors like science, engineering and creative industries is key to both growth for our economic prosperity and widening access to opportunities for all across the UK.”
ITSS will be the source of sector expertise on technical skills, roles and careers in UK HE and research and will form four new hubs focussed on key areas:
- a research hub focussed on technical roles, skills, careers, education, and training to expand sector understanding of the technical workforce through academic research. It will help to address gaps in knowledge in this area and work with funders to attract new investment for future research.
- a policy hub, working with partner organisations and the extended Technician Commitment community to inform, influence and interpret policy pertaining to technical roles, skills and careers in HE and research.
- a practice hub to develop (and evaluate) innovative approaches to culture change, piloting and evaluating them before rolling them out across the sector. Examples include career pathway models, apprenticeship schemes, workforce planning tools, and flagship and bespoke learning and development opportunities.
- an engagement hub to connect the technical community to government, professional bodies, funding bodies and other organisations in order to build a strong, connected community through engagement and events.
