Boost for Erewash manufacturing businesses
Erewash manufacturing businesses are being encouraged to apply for Erewash Borough Council’s new Research and Development (R&D) Grant Scheme, starting later this month.
The scheme is one of a number of projects being rolled out by the council over the next two years following a successful bid to the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
The new R&D grants are designed to support local small and medium enterprises in developing and piloting new products or services to help improve their businesses. Erewash based businesses are able to apply for grants from £5,000 up to £20,000 and are required to provide 33% of match-funding for the projects.
Councillor Michael Powell, Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, says: “This is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to invest in the cutting-edge research and development needed to support UK manufacturing innovation, underpin sustainable economic growth and help to create jobs in Erewash.”
ValiRx bolsters new lab services company with trio of senior appointments
ValiRx PLC, a life science company focused on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women’s health, has made three senior appointments to its newly incorporated subsidiary company, Inaphaea BioLabs (Inaphaea).
Headquartered in MediCity Nottingham, Inaphaea will offer a wide range of pre-clinical and drug discovery testing services to academic, biotech and pharmaceutical researchers, forming the foundation of ValiRx’s tCRO™ (translational Contract Research Organisation) strategy.
In response to the company’s growth, ValiRx has appointed Dr Andrew Carnegie as Head of Strategic Commercial Development. With more than 17 years’ business and commercial development experience in the biotech and life sciences sectors, Andrew will lead Inaphaea’s growth strategy and secure third-party business. He will also ensure the tCRO™ provides testing services that help to achieve improved translation of drug candidates and are of greatest relevance to prospective customers.
Also joining the Inaphaea team is Melissa Barr as Lead Scientist, and Dr Dominic Lowen as Senior Scientist.
Dr Suzy Dilly, ValiRx CEO, said: “After a great deal of hard work by the entire ValiRx team, I am really pleased to announce the official formation of Inaphaea BioLabs, which represents the first step of our longer-term ambition to create a unique tCRO service offering for early-stage drug development. Over the next few weeks, we intend to transfer our own projects into the Inaphaea laboratories to continue their progress.
“I’m also delighted that Andrew has come on board on a permanent basis to support the initiation of service provision through Inaphaea, having supported us through our commercial advisory board over the past year. With the appointments of experienced scientists Dominic and Melissa, we are already well on our way to building a first-class scientific team, and the operational team will continue to grow as activity increases.”
Dr Andrew Carnegie said: “I’m really excited to have the opportunity to play a major role in launching and growing a much-needed service in translational research. After working for many years in commercial development in the biotech industry, I have a good appreciation of the challenges for drug developers and fully support the ambition of Inaphaea to address a clear gap in the market.”
Inaphaea’s laboratories are targeted to be fully operational within Q2 2023, with initial services focusing on cancer cell activity; allowing the study of drug candidates in a range of cell lines to elucidate activity, toxicity, and mechanism of action of test molecules.
Dr Suzy Dilly added: “ValiRx plans to add further techniques and novel data generation technologies to the testing portfolio, together with data analysis and application expertise, with the aim of providing deep biological understanding of drug candidates and help design effective clinical trials.
“Such new capabilities will be fully validated on in-house projects, before offering to external users. In due course, Inaphaea intends to build on ValiRx’s expertise in building specific tests that support the development of treatments in the area of women’s health.”
IMA Architects achieve global BIM certification
Leicestershire-based architects, IMA Architects, has achieved the leading global certification within a specialist area of architecture and construction, Building Information Modelling (BIM).
The company has achieved ISO 19650, the most significant global information management and BIM certification available today. This has been secured following an in-depth assessment of IMA’s knowledge of BIM, its management and IT systems, and how the use of BIM has been implemented successfully on client projects.
ISO 19650 is an international standard that regulates the management of information across the full lifecycle of a building using BIM. It defines collaborative processes for the effective management of information throughout the delivery and operational phase of the building. Significantly, ISO 19650 is recognised in both the UK and USA.
Anthony Day, Managing Director of IMA Architects, explains: “Building Information Modelling has been developing for several years and is now essential for the successful delivery of construction projects. It enables collaborative working across all disciplines involved in the design, construction, maintenance, and use of buildings, meaning that all parties can share information simultaneously and in one place, helping to drive efficiencies across the project, ensuring it is delivered on time.
“BIM creates a digital intelligent model of the building (or buildings) which is adapted across its lifecycle, from planning and design through to construction. Data is gathered continuously, meaning that proposed changes can be implemented and trialled within the BIM model first prior to implementation in the real world.”
IMA has successfully implemented BIM technology across a range of client projects, including the recent office development at Ednaston Business Park for Clowes Developments.
Closely linked to BIM is the concept of the ‘Digital Twin’ and IMA has invested significantly over the past 12 months to create what is believed to be a UK first – a working prototype of the technology known as the ‘IMA Digital Pods’.
With a Digital Twin, sensors are built into the building that feed data back to the digital model, showing how even the slightest change could impact performance in the real world. This grants the building owner or manager access to real-time data with an in-depth analysis of a building’s performance. Commands can also be sent from the Digital Model to activate or deactivate devices in the Pods as well as monitoring performance.
Anthony Day adds: “We aim to be one of the UK’s leading architects specialising in the use of BIM and Digital Construction techniques due to the benefits they can deliver for our clients, and also the environment.
“Having accurate information on a building’s performance can make huge savings for a business in terms of energy use and reducing emissions, which is becoming a significant focus within the industry. To now have our expertise accredited with ISO 19650 is hugely satisfying for the team.”
National Careers Week 2023: Q&A with Demolition Operative, Jamie
Cawarden has proven it can inspire, recruit and retain new talent in the demolition sector despite a growing skills shortage. In addition to traditional recruitment methods, Cawarden has been working with the YMCA Derbyshire to offer young people a career opportunity in this exciting field.
So, to celebrate and kick off National Careers Week 2023, Cawarden has put the spotlight on 22-year-old Demolition Operative, Jamie.
When Cawarden first met Jamie, he was living in YMCA accommodation in Derby. Jamie had a tough start in life but he didn’t want to let that hold him back and was keen to find work and gain his independence.
Since being offered an opportunity to join the Cawarden family, he has never looked back.
By sharing stories like Jamie’s, Cawarden hopes to inspire others to join the demolition industry and follow in his footsteps.
Below, read Jamie’s Q&A and watch his inspiring video.
Q: How did you first come across Cawarden?
A: I’d heard of Cawarden before but it was when Managing Director William Crooks came to campus to deliver a talk for us, I really became interested in demolition and was keen to get my foot on the ladder.
Q: What attracted you to the company?
A: Cawarden was offering a chance to join the company despite having no previous experience or training. All they were asking in return is that I was willing to be trained and was prepared to work hard.
Q: What training did you receive from Cawarden?
A: I initially completed my CCS, Green CCDO (Certificate of Competence for Demolition Operatives) and Asbestos Awareness certificates. I put a lot of hours into the revision.
Q: What’s it like to be a Demolition Operative?
A: I love working in demolition and really enjoy the variety of work that we get involved in. We can be stripping out one day and recycling the next. I first started work on a local site in Derby, I also worked away for a bit in Luton and now I’m working on a new job in Derby.
Q: What don’t you enjoy so much?
A: It can be tough working outside when it’s dark and cold!
Q: What were you doing before Cawarden?
A: YMCA helped me get onto a course at college doing Land-based studies which I really enjoyed and achieved distinctions in. As it turned out, there were lots of transferable skills to demolition.
Q: How has Cawarden supported you since you joined?
A: My work family has been so supportive and we can have a laugh. We work together on the same jobs so you get to know each other really well – especially working away. We stay in the same accommodation and have dinner together in the evenings. I’ve also been really lucky to have Mick and Johnny as my mentors. I’ve learnt so much from them through on-the-job training and job shadowing. They’ve been with the company a long time so I’m learning skills for life from the best!
Q: What are you proud of?
A: I’m proud of myself for coming this far. I’m proud of the awards I’ve won through YMCA and I’m proud to work with my team to keep standards high and deliver the jobs.
Q: Have you got any ambitions for the future?
A: I’d really like to keep progressing through the ranks and I’ve spoken to my Site Manager about doing some telehandler training. One day I’d like to be a 360-machine driver. I really love watching the machines working!
Q: Over the past say two years, what has changed most?
A: My success with Cawarden has allowed me to gain independence. My confidence and communication skills have really improved too and I’m much happier knowing I’ve got a great career path ahead of me.
Q: For anyone out there in a similar position to where you were, what would be your top piece of advice?
A: Take any opportunity, work hard, and show your commitment. If I hadn’t attended the demolition talk that day, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m grateful to YMCA and Cawarden.
Q: You represented Cawarden at a YMCA employment event recently, how was that?
A: It was great to be asked and to be on the other side of the table talking about my journey from my perspective.
Duvalay snaps up Nursery Connections in pre-pack administration deal
Duvalay, a key player within the sleep market, has purchased Northamptonshire-based Nursery Connections in a pre-pack administration deal.
The deal includes West Yorkshire’s Duvalay securing the brand rights and physical assets such as machinery and stock, as well as securing the jobs of the current 35 employees.
Having traded for over 20 years, Nursery Connections has a reputation as a leading company within the cot mattress business, supplying major retailers with a broad product offering of cot mattresses and changing mats.
Duvalay plans to keep Nursery Connections’ brand and name, while adding further expertise and innovation to its product portfolio. After adding Nursery Connections to its portfolio, Duvalay will employ over 120 people and becomes one the largest manufacturers in the sector.
Alan Colleran, Managing Director at Duvalay, says: “Duvalay has a reputation of being a disruptor in the sleep market and acquiring Nursery Connections allows us to widen our remit into the baby sector but with the added benefit of a company that is well established within the industry already.
“As a company in a strong financial position, we’re able to support Nursery Connections in its turnaround period, as well bringing in individuals experienced in several business disciplines to help with the restructure.
“It was also important to us that we didn’t just purchase the trading name and IPs, but also secured the job of 35 individuals at a time of a cost-of-living crisis. In order to do this, we will be keeping on the site in Northampton which is all set up and can keep trading as it currently stands.”
Duvalay, which has been trading for over 20 years, shot to fame after appearing on Dragons’ Den and securing investment from Hilary Devey.
Former Start Fresh unit let in Nottingham
The former Start Fresh site at 32 Miall Street, situated just off Ilkeston Road, has been let to BM Wholesale Ltd, who have been trading for over 10-years and are looking to expand their business within Nottingham.
The unit comprises 4,358 sq ft of warehouse accommodation with internal office, ancillary and storage space available on the first floor.
Amy Howard, surveyor at FHP Property Consultants, said: “It was a great result for both parties on this unit, BM Wholesale Ltd have been in the market for a number of weeks now and we took them around several properties with 32 Miall Street being the most suited to them.
“As the unit was fit out to a former cold store occupier, we were aware that it was entering into a niche market and only attractive to a certain type of occupier. That being said, there were a number of enquiries made on this unit, all being cold store occupiers and we conducted several successful viewings on the site.
“I am pleased with the outcome of this for our client and I wish all the best to the ingoing tenant.”
Immigration specialist joins OTB Legal
Nottingham-based UK immigration law specialist, OTB Legal, has welcomed a major new appointment with Emma Cohen joining from top-tier ranked Bindmans LLP (London).
Recognised within independent legal directories Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, Emma joins the growing team as an associate and will bring her expertise within both personal and business immigration matters to the 14-strong team of immigration law specialists.
Whilst based at the Daleside Road offices, Emma will also embrace the hybrid working model that OTB Legal has adopted.
Emma has taught on the Legal Practice course at Anglia Ruskin University, worked in the voluntary sector at a legal advice centre, trains for the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) and is a volunteer adviser for Rainbow Migration (previously the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG)).
On joining OTB Legal, Emma said: “OTB Legal has a fantastic reputation in the industry that reaches far outside of the East Midlands and is a firm that I am very proud to be a part of.
“It is growing both in terms of the team and service offerings and is a very modern and progressive law firm. I have been impressed by how it has embraced hybrid working and harnessed technology to create a client-driven approach backed by employees that are rewarded, recognised and developed in terms of their careers. I look forward to bringing my own experience to the team and helping to develop the offering further still.”
Emma’s specialism is in complex areas of immigration law, including international adoption and surrogacy.
In addition, she is highly regarded for her work acting for local authorities representing children in care and has often been called upon to prepare immigration reports for family court proceedings.
Marcus Worthington, OTB Legal’s operations director, added: “Emma’s recruitment is a sign of the ambitious plans that OTB Legal has for growing and developing our legal teams and delivering an outstanding service for our growing client base.
“Her reputation precedes her and the team and I look forward to working with her closely as we continue to develop our offering across both the business and personal immigration law teams.”
BDO names new Nottingham office head
Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has announced a new head for the firm’s Nottingham office.
Laurie Hannant will take on the role, which is effective from 1 March 2023, and will lead the East Midlands’ 80-strong practice, with Andrew Mair stepping down from his position.
Laurie joined BDO in 2019 as an audit partner and leads the firm’s Consumer Markets sector in the Midlands. She has worked across the region for over 20 years and is focused on continuing to grow BDO’s network in the business community.
Her appointment follows BDO’s recent move to a prominent office building in the centre of Nottingham, cementing its commitment to the East Midlands market. The East Midlands hub – 3,500 sq ft of commercial space at Water Court on Canal Street – is a high-profile city centre location, which is in close proximity to the Broadmarsh regeneration development – a green, pedestrian-friendly public space.
Speaking of her appointment, Laurie Hannant said: “As someone who was born and bred in the East Midlands, I’m absolutely delighted to be taking over the reins in the Nottingham office – particularly at such an exciting time of development and growth for our team.
“I am hugely passionate about pursuing opportunities and supporting the success of businesses in the region and across the Midlands, and can’t wait to get stuck into the role in the coming months ahead.”
Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner in the Midlands, added: “Laurie has spent her career building a strong network in the business community. With her heart and roots in the region, and a clear focus on our people and building the BDO brand in the market, I know she will relish the opportunity to lead her home region into the next chapter of growth and success.
“I would also like to thank Andrew Mair who has led the East Midlands office for five years. In that time, he has done a fantastic job of growing the team to over 80 people, strengthening our client base, supporting employees through a global pandemic, and leading the transition into a new hub in the centre of Nottingham.”
Mair will continue to be based in the Nottingham office, where he will carry on his role of audit partner.
Newly approved plans at Lutterworth site to create 120 jobs
New jobs are coming to Lutterworth after plans for two new takeaway restaurants were given the green light.
Leicestershire County Council’s plan – approved by Harborough District Council’s Planning Committee – will unlock land at Leaders Farm and create more than 120 jobs, helping to boost the local economy.
Located just off the A4303 roundabout for Coventry Road, the site was identified as a prime area by both McDonalds and Costa Coffee, who will be the tenants of the two units on the site. The site will also feature more than 50 car parking spaces and include electric vehicle charging points.
Councillor Lee Breckon, cabinet member for finance, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning approval and look forward to getting work underway as soon as possible.
“This is an exciting project, which we hope is just the start of the employment opportunities at Leaders Farm and gives us the chance to best use our land to benefit residents. This site is ideally located and convenient for sustainable employment and supports Leicestershire’s thriving economy.
“Approval for these units and the investment we’ll be making in the site will also bring a long-term income for the county council to use for frontline services.”
As part of the county council’s ambitions to utilise the land for employment and economic growth, it is expected that the two new tenants will help to ensure the remaining part of the site can be used for other employment space in the future.
Work to build the units on the land will also include improvements at the A4303 roundabout, including pedestrian crossings and new planting.
Northants-based lighting group acquires Belgian business
Northants-based Collingwood Lighting Group (UK), a designer, manufacturer and distributor of LED luminaires and a platform company of Ambienta, has acquired Indigo.
Indigo, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Sprimont, Belgium is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of LED luminaires focused on the French & Belgian wholesale and other export markets including Switzerland and Germany.
The business is co-owned and led by Sebastien Dumont and Olivier Lapiere who have both re-invested alongside Ambienta as part of the transaction.
Collingwood’s acquisition of Indigo represents its second acquisition after Nobile (July 2022).
Hamdi Conger, Collingwood Group chairman, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sebastien, Olivier and the Indigo team to our lighting family. Indigo is a fantastic business with a highly complementary product portfolio and a strong position in the French market, offering many exciting synergies across our group.”
Sebastien Dumont and Olivier Lapiere of Indigo said: “We are very proud of our journey and achievements at Indigo. Joining forces with Collingwood and Nobile represents the next stage in our exciting growth journey and will bring even greater opportunities for everyone now that we are together as one group.”
Matthew Norrington, private equity partner at Ambienta, said: “Indigo joining our group represents another significant step towards our strategic ambition to create a market leading Pan European player in the lighting sector. We look forward to working closely with the entire Indigo team who will bring a wealth of lighting experience, knowledge and expertise to the project.”
