Freeths bolsters real estate offering with strategic promotions

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Freeths bolsters real estate offering with strategic promotions
Law firm Freeths has promoted partner James Hart to lead the real estate team across the Midlands region and Patrick Adie has also been named national head of housebuilding & strategic land. James is now responsible for coordinating the firm’s real estate teams across its four Midlands offices in Birmingham, Derby, Leicester and Nottingham. With a long-standing reputation in the region, he leads the relationship for some of the firm’s largest clients. Patrick Adie has also been promoted to national head of housebuilding & strategic land, with responsibility for promoting the firm’s offering in these key sectors. Patrick is an award-winning solicitor and is ranked as ‘Up and Coming’ in Chambers and Partners 2023. Partner and national head of real estate at Freeths, Darren Williamson said: “It is our mission statement to be the best national real estate practice in the UK and to be the destination firm for real estate clients. “We have been consistently ranked as ‘Tier 1’ in the leading directories’ legal rankings where James and Patrick operate, and these appointments will help further our aims. “Both James and Patrick are ‘home grown’ talent, having trained at Freeths and built outstanding practices over their careers, which serves to highlight why Freeths is such a great place to work. It is a huge pleasure to welcome them into their new roles.” James Hart added: “Freeths is a national, full-service law firm but our heart is the historic Midlands-based property practice – it is the ‘engine room’ of what we do. I’m looking forward to supporting the team’s growth over the next five years of our business plan.” Patrick Adie continued: “We have an outstanding reputation in the housebuilding and strategic land sectors, including having acted for many of the top-10 housebuilders for several decades. “It’s exciting to be able to lead the team on the next stage of our growth plans. I look forward to working with colleagues across our 12 offices so that we can continue to build on our outstanding service for clients, both at regional and national level.”

Frasers Group serves eviction notice to Coventry City

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Frasers Group serves eviction notice to Coventry City
Coventry City has received an eviction notice from Shirebrook-based Frasers Group, new owners of the Coventry Building Society Arena. The football club says it has been told that it must agree a new licence to play at the Arena, following the Frasers Group acquisition of the stadium from administrators in November. In a statement Coventry City said: “We were surprised to learn of this intention by Frasers Group, given that discussions with Coventry City prior to the completion of their purchase of the Arena led us to understand the existing terms would continue unchanged with Frasers Group as the new owners of the Arena.” Coventry City Football Club has an existing long-term licence to play at the Arena, which was agreed in March 2021 to run until 2031. Coventry City added: “Frasers Group have now presented to Coventry City a new agreement with new commercial terms, which have been presented to us without any dialogue or negotiations, and are less favourable to the Football Club. In addition, this licence would only run until May 2023. “Frasers Group have said they would negotiate for beyond May 2023, but this leaves us without the security and certainty that our current deal provides to us and our fans. “To confirm, Coventry City are happy to continue under terms of the current licence which we already have in place to play at the Arena. “Following Frasers Group’s purchase of the Arena, one of the great assets of the City of Coventry, they stated they were ‘looking forward to working with Coventry City Football Club’. “Coventry City hope that they will act on those words for the good of the Arena, the Football Club, our fans and the City and community that they are now part of.”

Ambitions Personnel named as Crown Commercial Service Supplier

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Ambitions Personnel named as Crown Commercial Service Supplier
Recruitment firm Ambitions Personnel have been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) Permanent Recruitment 2 Framework agreement. The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) supports the public sector in gaining the greatest commercial value when buying common goods and services. In 2019/20, CCS helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits worth over £1bn – supporting world-class public services that offer the best value for taxpayers. Ambitions Personnel will be delivering recruitment services to Lot 2 – Non-Clinical / General Recruitment, which includes hiring into roles such as administration, customer service and IT. Managing Director of Ambitions Personnel, Mandy Watson, said: “It’s great that we’re now a named supplier on the esteemed CCS framework. We’ve had many success stories of recruiting into the public sector spanning over 30 years, and now it’s time to expand this – we want to be the go-to recruitment agency.” Since 2010, the government has launched several initiatives to help support SMEs across the UK. Mandy continued: “The government’s SME Action Plan allows smaller businesses to compete with much larger organisations. Ambitions Personnel will play a prominent role in efficiently hiring new staff into government roles, helping the government achieve their spending targets for helping small businesses. “With this step, we’re already looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”

Nottingham digital agency sweeps aside stateside competition to land contract with American cleanroom giant

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Nottingham digital agency sweeps aside stateside competition to land contract with American cleanroom giant

A Nottingham digital agency has landed its first major transatlantic contract after it was appointed to run the online paid advertising campaign on behalf of a market-leading American cleanroom company.

Repeat Digital has been chosen to manage the online paid advertising for Angstrom Technology, which is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and even appointed the Long Eaton firm ahead of its own American-based digital marketing agency.

Repeat, which employs six people and is based in Bramley Road, Long Eaton, was founded by entrepreneur Olly Fisher in 2017 and offers a number of online services, including pay-per-click and SEO management for a range of companies in a number of sectors, including legal, manufacturing and ecommerce industries.

Its contract with Angstrom came following its work with Connect 2 Cleanrooms (C2C), a Lancaster-based supplier of modular cleanrooms and cleanroom equipment for organisations requiring hygienic spaces, such as pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers.

Repeat has been looking after the company’s online lead generation work and its e-commerce store, which sells cleaning supplies, sterile clothing and furniture, for the past 14 months, raising awareness of the brand and increasing sales by more than 100% over a nine month period.

Its success came to the attention of Angstrom Technology when the American firm took over C2C earlier this year.

The companies will now embark on a joint strategy to increase sales of their services and products all over the world, with Repeat being asked to carry on with its work with C2C and take on Angstrom’s own digital marketing in America as well.

Olly said: “The US market is massive and so for a company of our size to get a foothold over there with such a prestigious client is huge news and an amazing opportunity for us.

“What makes it more special is that we won the contract having previously demonstrated what we can do through our work with C2C. Theirs is a very specialised market and we were able to use our ability to target potential customers more accurately in order to generate more leads and increase sales through their online shop.

“It’s testament to the skills and ability of our team that Angstrom were impressed with what they have achieved and this proves that any agency with the right skills and approach can serve large and well-established clients no matter where they are in the world.”

Sean Fryers, marketing manager at Connect 2 Cleanrooms, said: “The results that Repeat Digital have achieved on behalf of C2C have had a significant effect on its business and we have enjoyed working alongside them.

“With that in mind we felt it was in everybody’s interests for them to begin working on behalf of Angstrom Technology as well and we look forward to seeing what great results Repeat Digital can achieve on its behalf as well.”

Acres says “Viva Espana” as it opens Malaga office

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Acres says “Viva Espana” as it opens Malaga office

Derby-based Acres Engineering is celebrating after opening a new base in Malaga, Spain.

The family business, which is located on Castle Lane Industrial Estate, Melbourne, has appointed Alejandro De Castro to head up the company, which will be trading as Acres Engineering Europe S.L.

Alejandro has worked at Acres Engineering in Derby for over 4 years, where he has been involved in the creation of more than 1,500 products across Acres’ range of markets and as a senior member of the management team.

Luke Parker, Managing Director at Acres Engineering, says: “This is such an exciting moment for all of us. Spain is a global leader in automotive components (one of our major markets) and is actively investing to increase and enhance the industrial sector.

“This is a positive statement of intent from us as a growing business and a move which will also give us crucial access to the European common market. I am delighted to be working with Alejandro on this new venture, he has incredible talent as a designer but also as a manager and leader.

“By continuing to work closely together we will bring our knowledge, experience and processes from the UK to the European market and naturally learn a great deal from how Spain has built its own reputation for manufacturing excellence. That can only be a good thing for our customers here in the UK and across the continent.”

Speaking about the new business and market opportunity, Alejandro said: “Our focus with this new adventure will be not only to supply our customers with good quality and innovative products but also to champion the industry as a whole in Spain.

“It is not simply about wanting Acres Europe to be a success for ourselves but also for our supply chain. I feel very grateful for this opportunity and the faith that Luke and the management team have shown in me. We cannot wait to get started.”

Regeneration firm signs option agreement on Northamptonshire site capable of delivering 1.6m sq ft of employment space

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Regeneration firm signs option agreement on Northamptonshire site capable of delivering 1.6m sq ft of employment space
Harworth Group, a regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, has entered into an option agreement to purchase the freehold to a 168-acre site south of the Junction 15 of the M1 in Northamptonshire. Located within a prime Midlands industrial area, Harworth intends to promote the land for sustainable employment use as part of the emerging West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan (WNSP). Proposals for the site include the development of up to 1.6 million sq ft of Grade A industrial & logistics space, alongside unique landscaping features and an ecological enhancement area. Together, these elements will provide a net increase of biodiversity and protect the heritage assets and vistas of the local area. The plans also include proactive management of existing woodland areas to further improve ecosystem resilience and connectivity across the scheme. The proposed development will target Net Zero Carbon status, an EPC rating of A and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification. The landscaping and amenity elements of the design will also enhance the wellbeing of those working at and visiting the site. The site is situated in an area identified for employment growth in the local Development Plan and is one of those being considered for allocation in the emerging WNSP. Harworth says it will work with local stakeholders to bring forward a planning proposal that delivers significant economic and social benefits to the local community while being an exemplar for sustainable building design, environmental protection and historic preservation. The deal follows Harworth’s acquisition in November 2021 of its Rothwell site, elsewhere in Northamptonshire, which the company is currently promoting for employment use. David Cockroft, regional director – Midlands, Harworth Group, said: “At Junction 15, Harworth will use its placemaking skills to deliver an industrial & logistics scheme with excellent sustainability credentials that meets the need for jobs and investment in the region, and positively responds to landscape and habitat requirements, while protecting the heritage of the local area. “Harworth has significant experience of creating sustainable places where people want to live and work, and we look forward to working with local stakeholders to bring forward our vision for this site.”

Rising costs top concerns for Midlands businesses in the run-up to Christmas

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Rising costs top concerns for Midlands businesses in the run-up to Christmas
Rising costs for energy, borrowing and products and materials in the build-up to Christmas are the top concerns for Midlands businesses in the coming weeks, according to the latest report from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP. The bi-monthly Rethinking the Economy survey of 500 mid-market businesses has revealed that the rising cost of products and materials is causing the greatest concern for nearly a third of businesses in the region. The survey showed that a third see higher energy costs as their biggest challenge in the final few weeks of the year, together with rising interest rates and the cost of borrowing (32%). As businesses in the region face significant cost pressures, many are taking proactive steps to address the latest challenges facing their business. According to the Rethinking the Economy survey, 29% of Midlands companies are taking on new debt or extending existing overdraft facilities – the highest rate of any other UK region – while a further 27% intend to launch new products and services to create additional revenue streams. However, despite the challenges facing businesses in the final month of the year, an overwhelming number of Midlands businesses (76%) stated that they feel more optimistic about business prospects going into 2023, compared to this time last year, marking a shift in sentiment since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. Kyla Bellingall, regional managing partner at BDO LLP in the Midlands, said:  “Hearing businesses report that they are in a better place than this time last year is a positive but there’s no doubt that trading conditions remain extremely challenging for many Midlands businesses, following a period of sustained pressure over an extended period of time. “However, despite the concerns surrounding rising costs, the Midlands is a resilient marketplace and many businesses are well positioned and primed to ride out the economic storm.” The Rethinking the Economy survey showed that more than half of Midlands businesses have changed their approach to raising funding in the last three to six months due to the economic climate, with 17% admitting that they are seeking funding earlier than planned to ease inflationary and other pressures on the business. Bellingall added: “With rising costs set to be an enduring theme throughout next year, Midlands businesses cannot do this alone and are calling for more targeted support to help secure the long-term future of mid-market businesses – the engine of the UK’s economy.” According to the survey, nearly a third of regional businesses believe the Government should be providing more investment in apprenticeships and skills programmes for businesses in 2023, with a further 30% looking to the Government for new education and skills policies at a local level, to align qualifications with businesses’ needs and help to ease skills shortages.

Plans submitted for Leicester’s Pilot House regeneration

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Plans submitted for Leicester’s Pilot House regeneration
Plans to transform Pilot House in Leicester have been submitted after receiving a boost from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund last year. The £11.4m proposals, initially revealed in 2020, will see the cluster of heritage buildings on King Street redeveloped into a home for creative businesses with a central courtyard and atrium for shared use, a business zone for technical and digital businesses, and a co-working lounge. The city council proposes to deliver the phased refurbishment of the 100,000 sq ft former factory, to create office and workspace to meet demand from inward investment, the professional sectors and creative/design businesses.
It is hoped that Pilot House will build on and extend the success of the city’s LCB Depot in the Cultural Quarter and will be a hub providing workspace, events, exhibitions and host key projects and services to support the growth of its business communities. Speaking on the plans, City Mayor Peter Soulsby previously said: “This project will transform a group of architecturally significant heritage buildings into a landmark destination that will become a source of pride for Leicester. “Not only will it contribute to the wider regeneration of the Belvoir Street, Market Street and New Walk areas, and complement exciting new developments like the Gresham Building, but it will also create and support hundreds of high quality new jobs.” Subject to planning permission, work could start on site in early 2023, with the building open for business from spring 2024.

East Midlands Growth Hubs secure £3m to support manufacturing sector

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East Midlands Growth Hubs secure £3m to support manufacturing sector
The East Midlands Growth Hubs, led by Lincolnshire County Council, have successfully bid to secure £3m to support East Midlands manufacturing sector businesses over the next two and a half years.
The Government is extending the Made Smarter Programme to the East Midlands following a proposition from Lincolnshire County Council and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. The investment is estimated to generate £80m in additional productivity, based on data from other Made Smarter Adoption Programmes. Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This funding supports small and medium sized manufacturing firms to boost their productivity by implementing digital technology and improving leadership and management skills. “It has already been running in the North East, West Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, with impressive results. “I’m proud that we’ve led the East Midlands bid from Lincolnshire and that our manufacturing businesses will benefit from increased productivity and a higher skilled workforce as a result.” The funding aims to provide advice to over 400 small and medium sized businesses, undertake 133 business assessments, provide intensive support to 70 businesses and boost the leadership and management skills of 36 senior manufacturing leaders. The programme helps businesses implement more automation and take advantage of new technologies such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence and virtual reality, creating more high skilled jobs in the process. Darren Joint, chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Manufacturing Board and MD of Viking Signs, said: “Our board had three priorities this year: to develop the GLEAM network, to work with the further education sector to increase employer engagement, and to land a Made Smarter programme for Lincolnshire. “I’m delighted that we have been successful with our Made Smarter proposals, not only for Lincolnshire but for the East Midlands. “My business Viking Signs has benefited tremendously from digital adoption, and this programme will give manufacturing businesses in Lincolnshire the chance to embrace digital transformation and increase productivity by as much as 25% while boosting employee skill levels and increasing the number of highly skilled, well paid jobs. “The programme will be launched imminently and I encourage businesses to get involved.” The East Midlands exports £16.6bn, 6% of all UK manufacturing exports, and accounts for nearly 9% of the UKs total manufacturing GVA making it an important contributor the UKs overall manufacturing sector performance.

2023 Business Predictions: Greg Guilford, CEO, HR Solutions

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2023 Business Predictions: Greg Guilford, CEO, HR Solutions
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to HR Solutions CEO Greg Guilford. As we enter 2023, planning for the year ahead has never been more important. The UK’s employment climate remains volatile due to several significant domestic and global influences. These include the rebuilding after the pandemic, a change in Government, the war in Ukraine, a cost-of-living crisis, and a recession as well as potential new employment legislation. Together, all these major influences have had a direct impact on employment in some way. The next few months are crucial for business, especially leading up to setting their budgets for the 2023/2024 financial year. It is perhaps obvious that due to recession, cost cutting is likely to become a priority for many firms. However, there can be a fine line as to which area of spend you freeze. For example, you may initially think that training costs should be frozen; but have you considered that investment in training and development may help the business to grow and become more productive? With the cost-of-living crisis, a recession and job certainty waning, employers are wise to focus on employee wellbeing during 2023 not only to support employee engagement, but to limit employee mental health issues. Mental health issues can not only lead to high absenteeism, but for those who try to deal with them whilst working, they can lead to performance issues. And at a time when businesses continue to re-build post COVID-19 and respond to a challenging recruitment market, it is more important than ever to demonstrate flexibility. Flexible working will be a key factor for many companies in order to increase morale and employee engagement, aid employee retention, and improve productivity, as well as provide greater diversity and inclusion.
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