Advertising Standards Authority upholds complaints against Leicester company’s Harold Shipman ad
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld 115 complaints against a Leicester life insurance company’s ad featuring serial murderer, Harold Shipman.
Know for its provocative marketing, DeadHappy came under fire in January after including a picture of Shipman in two paid-for social media ads on Facebook and Instagram, with overlaying text which stated: “LIFE INSURANCE … Because you never know who your doctor might be.”
Shipman is estimated to have murdered between 215 and 260 of his patients.
In a statement, ASA said that the adverts “trivialised and made light of the murders committed by Harold Shipman, such that they were likely to cause both serious and widespread offence to those who saw them.”
It added: “We further considered that any reference to the murderer in advertising material was likely to be distressing, particularly for those who had lost family members or friends at Shipman’s hands and that, in the context of an ad promoting life insurance, the distress caused was unjustified.
“We concluded that the ads were not prepared with a sense of responsibility to consumers and to society and did not comply with rules on issues of harm and offence. We welcomed DeadHappy’s assurance that they would not be repeated.”
DeadHappy has since apologised for any offence or distress caused, saying it was never their intention to offend and that once it became clear that the ads were causing offence, they removed them.
The ads went live at 2 pm on 23 January, and were taken down at 8 am on 24 January.
DeadHappy confirmed that they would not run the ads again and are reviewing their processes in relation to the creation and approval of ads, endeavouring to make better informed decisions going forward.
Loughborough University director lands non-exec role with Sport England subsidiary
Loughborough University’s Commercial and Facilities Director for Sport Jo Simpson has been appointed a Non-Executive Director to the Sports Council Trust Company board – a subsidiary of Sport England.
Whilst remaining in role at Loughborough, Simpson will work collaboratively with the Sport England Executive Team to deliver against its agreed objectives.
As part of the role, Jo will advise on nationwide investment opportunities and ensure the business is adhering to its overall strategic goals.
Jo, who has extensive experience in both the sport and private sector, joined the University in 2016 and has since led Loughborough Sport’s commercial offering by generating external income and additional revenue to support the growth of its world-class sporting ecosystem.
She previously spent 11 years at the Youth Sport Trust as both Finance Director of the Group and Managing Director of the Trading Company, and nine years as Vice Chair of the British Wheelchair Basketball Board.
“I am delighted to be joining the board of the Sports Council Trust,” Simpson said. “The work they do to use sport to preserve and safeguard the physical and mental health of communities across the UK is hugely inspiring and impactful.
“By providing access to world-class facilities they allow members of the public to play more sport helping to create communities who are happier, healthier and better connected. These facilities are also invaluable training environments for elite athletes, allowing them to perform at their best on the international stage.
“The synergies with Loughborough are clear. We have created a world-leading sporting ecosystem with opportunities for all supported by multiple commercial partners.
“I am very excited to contribute my commercial experience to support and grow the incredible work done by the Sports Council Trust.”
16.1% rise in insolvency-related activity in East Midlands
The number of East Midlands businesses experiencing insolvency-related activity in January jumped by 16.1% compared to the same period in 2022, according to new research from the Midlands branch of R3, the insolvency and restructuring trade body.
R3’s figures, which are based on an analysis of data from business intelligence provider Creditsafe, show that there were 72 cases of insolvency-related activity in the region last month, up from 62 in January 2022.
The statistics, which include liquidator appointments, administrator appointments and creditors’ meetings, show a similar picture for December 2022, with a 22.8% year-on-year rise in insolvency-related activity compared to December 2021.
The figures come on the back of a number of high-profile company administrations in recent weeks, including local high street retailer Paperchase, and the airline Flybe, which served the region from its West Midlands base at Birmingham Airport.
R3 Midlands chair Eddie Williams, a partner at PwC in the region, said: “What we are seeing here in the East Midlands is a reflection of what is happening to businesses at a national level, where annual insolvency numbers are now riding at a 13-year high.
“Statistics published by the Insolvency Service at the end of January show that corporate insolvencies in England and Wales increased by 57.3% last year to 22,109 compared to 2021’s figure of 14,059, and by 75% in comparison to 12,632 in 2020.
“Rising numbers of company directors in the East Midlands are now turning to insolvency processes to resolve their financial issues in the face of rising costs, low consumer confidence and ongoing economic turbulence.
“These issues will not disappear overnight, and we urge business owners to be aware of the first signs of financial distress and seek advice from a qualified source as soon as they show themselves. Many R3 members offer a free initial consultation to those who are looking for such help and want to explore their options.”
Administrators sell part of fibre infrastructure installation business saving 83 jobs
Following the appointment of Tom Straw and Chris Lewis of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory LLP over Light Source Design Limited on 31 January 2023, the administrators have achieved a sale of part of the Nottingham-headquartered business, securing 83 jobs and enabling the principal customer Openreach to minimise disruption to its national fibre network build programme.
The sale was to M Group Services Telecom Division, giving them an increased provision of fibre build and other services to Openreach, and who will also be working closely with the company’s sub-contractor partners to maximise employment opportunities and mitigate the impact of the administration.
Tom Straw, partner at RSM UK and joint administrator, said: “We are delighted to secure a partial sale of the company’s business and assets, including the right to continue using the company’s name and brand, through a complex multi-faceted transaction in a short timeframe. This has saved jobs and allows for the best possible return to the company’s creditors. We would like to wish the purchaser all the best taking the business forward.”
Mark Turner, Managing Director of the Telecom Division at M Group Services, said: “We are proud to be delivering solutions for the future of UK telecommunications infrastructure. This agreement further strengthens the long-standing relationship between Morrison Telecom Services and Openreach. We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues and sub-contractors and the additional capability they bring to our business.”
Leicester projects support more than 1,700 local people and 400 businesses following £3m funding scheme
Five community initiatives have supported more than 1,700 local people and 400 businesses after Leicester City Council helped them to bid for a share of £3million in funding.
Last summer, Leicester City Council submitted the five bids from among 29 applications received to the Government’s Community Renewal Fund (CRF), a short-term funding scheme aimed at building skills, supporting local businesses and providing employment support in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
All five bids were successful, and resulted in the five projects benefitting from a share of £3million in funding.
The projects were:
- Positive Communities – a voluntary and community sector partnership of 12 local organisations led by the Highfields-based Bangladesh Youth and Cultural Shomiti, working to support people into employment and developing new skills development. It received £584,230.
- A community ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) scheme aimed at improving language skills to help people into employment, led by Leicester-based Twin Employment and Training. It received £500,000.
- The ‘She Inspired Business Playbox’ project – comprising five local voluntary and community sector organisations – which works to support women into employment and business. The project was led by Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan Trust, a local organisation helping women to escape from poverty and abuse, and was successful in its bid for £349,588.
- Leicester Accelerator – a partnership of seven business support organisations led by East Midlands Chamber of Commerce. They successfully bid for £1million of CRF funds, to fund a range of support programmes for businesses, including the use of digital technology, mentoring, and grants.
- Leicester Textiles Renewal – an integrated support programme to improve skills, support innovation and encourage best practice in the city’s textile and garment industry. The bid, led by Leicester City Council, received £500,000 of CRF funding.
- 553 people who were previously classed as ‘economically inactive’ and a further 567 who were unemployed were helped into work or training;
- 666 employed individuals were supported to increase their skills;
- 391 small businesses and 35 medium or large businesses benefitted from tailored business support;
- 477 people gained a qualification, for example in maths, ESOL or textiles training;
- 52 businesses were supported to develop decarbonisation plans;
- 13 new businesses were created.
Former fire station sold to charity
A former fire station in the north Nottinghamshire town of Worksop has been sold to a charity.The 8,700 sq ft fire station, located directly opposite the Whitworth Brothers Albion Mill, has been bought by Autism East Midlands – the organisation which provides a wide range of high-quality care, support and educational services to meet the needs of autistic individuals and their families and carers.Richard Sutton, Managing Director of NG Chartered Surveyors, said: “We had huge levels of interest in this site, and the sale was concluded to Autism East Midlands after a very strong tender process.“It’s fantastic that a charity such as Autism East Midlands, which does such vital work throughout the region, now has the chance to transform this building into another much-needed facility. Our landlord client is also delighted with the outcome, especially as the sale was unconditional.”Jonathan Bishop, director at Bishop Property Consultants, added: “This deal was a great example of teamwork between ourselves and Richard at NG. Together, our market knowledge paid off for our landlord client and also ensured that Autism East Midlands can expand their wonderful care and support for those living with autism – and those closest to them.”
University of Leicester to lead Midlands space cluster development
Experts in Leicestershire have secured a share of £6.5 million of funding from the UK Space Agency to drive forward the country’s space industry.
The cash boost will support high impact, locally led schemes and space cluster development managers to help the space sector grow across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Among those to benefit will be the University of Leicester, which helps lead the award-winning Space Park Leicester – the world’s first science and innovation park specifically designed for space-related companies and researchers.
It will receive £284,000 to fund a Cluster Development Manager who will work with local government, businesses and academia, over three years, to coordinate space activity and encourage collaboration and inward investment in the Midlands.
A further £500,000 will go to the Midland Aerospace Alliance’s Pivot into Space R&D programme.
Space Park Leicester Director of Strategic Partnerships, Professor Martin Barstow, said: “We are pleased that the UKSA recognises the importance of the Midlands to the space economy and the contribution from Space Park Leicester.
“In collaboration with the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, the funding will allow us to coordinate the growing cluster activities in the East and West Midlands and bring them together under a single umbrella.”
The experienced astrophysicist and space scientist added: “Space Park Leicester has already established a strong cluster in the East of the region, and we know there is growing activity in the West. Bringing these activities together will increase the strength of the space economy in the region as a whole.
“The cluster manager funding will be complemented by the MAA’s Pivot into Space R&D programme, which provides direct support to space businesses across the region.”
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Establishing a network of space clusters and high impact projects will accelerate the development of the thriving space ecosystem the UK needs to realise the full economic potential of space across the UK.
“We’ve been working with the regions to understand their strengths and the needs of their local space economies so that we can back these clusters of excellence to collaborate, grow and thrive.”
The projects are focused on piloting local activity that could be scaled up and rolled out nationally and are being supported by the UK Space Agency’s delivery partner, the Satellite Applications Catapult.
Stuart Martin, Chief Executive Officer at the Satellite Applications Catapult, said: “We have a long-standing commitment to driving the growth of the UK space sector at a regional level and are delighted to continue our support for the delivery of this investment, with our focus on building a coherent space community.
“This additional funding will help cement relationships across the UK’s space community while forging new collaborations with those not yet utilising and benefiting from space data and technology.
“We look forward to ensuring that the sector as a whole takes advantage of the opportunities presented through these locally led initiatives and supporting a connected and thriving ecosystem.”
Other key partners involved in the project include the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), the University of Birmingham and the University of Nottingham, both of which are the universities working in the Midlands Innovation Space Group.
Derby-based serviced apartment provider grows its portfolio with new Nottinghamshire site
Derby-based serviced apartment provider, The Stay Company, has added another site to its property portfolio.
The business, which has its HQ in Friar Gate, has secured the lease on a new, purpose-built block in Nottinghamshire.
The development in Gedling, called Phoenix Court, will offer nine serviced apartments, with both one and two bedroom options all provided with private off-street parking.
This new acquisition by The Stay Company takes the total number of apartments it has over the 100 mark, located across several sites in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Dan Wilkinson, director of The Stay Company, said: “It is clear there is a growing demand for affordable, extended stay accommodation in and around the East Midlands.
“This latest addition in Nottinghamshire reflects this strong growth and expansion of businesses across the East Midlands. We believe the site in Gedling complements our other offerings perfectly, adding to Whitefriars House in Nottingham city centre and Devonshire Court in West Bridgford.
“It is so rewarding to be able to grow the number of serviced apartments that we can offer our clients. Extending our portfolio across the East Midlands has been our plan for some time.
“Phoenix Court presented us with the perfect opportunity to expand beyond our Derby and Nottingham city centre presences and grow our quality brand. Busy times are certainly ahead for The Stay Company.”
In October 2022, The Stay Company launched Whitefriars in Nottingham city centre – a £2m development providing serviced apartments for corporate and leisure guests just off Nottingham’s Old Market Square.
It transformed three levels of the four-storey building into 17 open plan studios, and one and two bedroomed apartments. It also added an additional floor with an architect-designed, state-of-the-art mansard roof extension.
Manjas Lidder, owner of The Stay Company, said: “The standard of this new development at Phoenix has remained extremely high, as with all our properties, and we are delighted to add this site to our growing portfolio.
“These apartments offer spacious and flexible accommodation for clients looking for extended and short-term stays.”
Derby train-maker opens new training academy
Train-maker Alstom has officially opened a new national training academy at its Derby site, which will help produce future generations of rail engineers.
During a ceremony at its UK train manufacturing site in Litchurch Lane, Derby South MP Dame Margaret Beckett opened the firm’s Apprentice Training Academy, accompanied by Nick Crossfield, Alstom’s Managing Director for the UK and Ireland. The academy, which will welcome 120 new apprentices and graduates this year, has been created following an investment of £250,000 over the last two years. The opening coincided with National Apprenticeship Week, which took place last week. Mr Crossfield said: “National Apprenticeship Week was the perfect time for us to open our academy as we wanted to express our confidence in the future of the UK apprenticeships and the UK rail industry.” Dame Margaret said: “I’m delighted to see Alstom continuing to invest in Derby’s young people, and in the Litchurch Lane facility, the only factory in Britain with the capability to design, build and test new trains for the UK and for export.” Alstom’s Derby site has been at the heart of UK railway manufacturing for 175 years since it was originally established, with generations of train-makers trained on site to manufacture the most technological advanced trains for Britain’s rail passengers. The new Training Academy, featuring 17 permanent teaching staff, offers 1,600 sq m of learning space, comprising four classrooms, a canteen, coffee area, and break out study areas where new trainees are inducted. It also features a training hall, containing a carriage and cab from the AVENTRA programme – the UK’s largest train manufacturing programme in a generation currently on the lines at Derby – where apprentices can gain practical experience working on carriages before joining a live manufacturing team. All levels of apprentices and graduates will now enter their new traineeship with Alstom through the Training Academy, no matter which of the 30 Alstom locations around the UK they will eventually work at. This year’s intake of 120 apprentices and graduates will be the first to formally benefit from the academy scheme. All courses are structured to complement each apprentice’s college or university course, which they will also attend throughout their apprenticeship. Alstom has said it will be working closely with local universities and colleges, including Derby College Group and the University of Derby. Mr Crossfield said: “Alstom has always believed in developing talent through formalised training, as we see apprentices are the future of our industry both here in Britain and around the world.”Staff made redundant at gin business as administrators continue to liaise with potential purchaser
Staff have been made redundant at Burleighs Gin, after the Leicestershire-based firm entered administration in December.
A sale had been eyed for the business by Christmas, with hopes that it would start the new year under new ownership.
Following the appointment of David Elliott and Bai Cham, of Begbies Traynor, as joint administrators on 5 December 2022, a preferred bidder was selected.
However the joint administrators are reportedly still liaising with the purchaser to complete the sale following delays, with Burleighs Gin Distillers Limited now identified as the frontrunner.
Darren Gould, a former director of Burleighs’ holding company, resigning in 2021, is director of the new company hoped to rescue the business.
Previous documents from the administrators indicated that creditors could miss out on over £1.5m owed to them.
