Recycling technology leader opens new research and development labs at Loughborough University
Plastic Energy, a global leader in chemical recycling technology, has opened new research and development labs at Loughborough University.
This builds on the company’s impactful research partnership with the University which began in 2012 to accelerate the innovative process to help prevent plastic waste, transforming previously unrecyclable plastic waste into a valuable resource.
Building capability and attracting skilled research and technical staff, Plastic Energy’s research team has grown from the laboratory space it shared with the University’s chemistry researchers into a suite of specialist labs and a dedicated office space on Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP).
LUSEP will be the hub for Plastic Energy’s work on further development and optimisation of its unique chemical recycling technology. The research team will use state of the art equipment in the new labs to test feedstock and improve the quality of the final product from Plastic Energy’s TAC™ process, called TACOIL™.
Plastic Energy leadership and research teams, and key stakeholders at Loughborough University gathered for the official opening event which included a tour of the labs and demonstration of current R&D projects.
“LUSEP is an excellent base for Plastic Energy to continue leading the way to help create a circular economy where plastics are re-used repeatedly, for good,” said Steve Christie, Loughborough University’s professor of Chemical Technologies. “Co-located with the University’s net zero and sustainability research capabilities, I look forward to us continuing working together to realize this shared goal.”
“After a decade of collaboration with Loughborough University, we are delighted to formally open our new Plastic Energy labs and office space at LUSEP,” said David McNamara, chief technology officer at Plastic Energy. “This will provide a base for our research team to continue their invaluable work on our technology and act us a hub for internal and external visitors. We are grateful to Loughborough University for their continued support.”
Alex Owen, Loughborough University chief financial officer and LUSEP lead, says: “Leading the field in the transition to a low-carbon circular economy for plastics, Plastic Energy are a valuable addition to LUSEP’s largest and most established cluster, Energy and Low Carbon.
“With its distinctive added value of the University’s knowledge base and high calibre graduate workforce, I am confident that LUSEP will be a supportive base for Plastic Energy’s R&D team to flourish. I wish them every success.”
Nottingham e-mobility business to lead project reviewing city’s approach to greening businesses’ supply chains
Nottingham-based e-mobility business, Ottr, have been invited by the Nottingham Green Partnership to lead a project to review the city’s approach to greening businesses’ supply chains and procurement processes to help achieve Nottingham’s ambition of being carbon neutral by 2028 (CN28).
The Nottingham Green Partnership, a group of over 20 public and private sector organisations, has been working to help the city to be more sustainable and reduce its carbon dioxide emissions since 1992.
CN28 is Nottingham’s action plan to help achieve a resilient and sustainable carbon neutral city by 2028. The plan spans: carbon reduction measures; carbon removal; resilience and adaption; and ecology and biodiversity.
To date, the city has reduced its overall CO2 emissions per capita by 57.7% which is the highest reduction of any core UK city. Furthermore, if the plans are successful, Nottingham will be Europe’s first carbon neutral city.
Ottr’s involvement in the project is born from the values at the heart of the company: to contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future by creating innovative technology to harness renewable energy through their fleet of electric vehicles.
The brand’s point of difference is that they are actively encouraging and supporting local communities and business to swap their daily car commute for an e-bike or e-moped and their work with Nottingham City Council is yet another example of this.
Ottr became part of the City’s Green Partnership earlier this year and as CEO of Ottr, David Bothwell explains: “We are working with the City Council and other organisations across the city to progress their impressive plans and work out how we, and other businesses striking the same chord, are best placed to help.
“The plan that we at Ottr have in place to reduce our own carbon footprint within supply chain and procurement is something we’re very proud of and we are consequently well placed and well versed to advise other local business on how to achieve similar goals.”
Chris Common, Carbon Neutral Policy Manager at the City Council, added: “We have big ambitions to achieve CN28 and become Europe’s first carbon neutral city. But the City Council can’t do it alone and businesses like Ottr give us the support and collaboration we need to bring other local businesses on this journey with us.”
Dice Environmental makes significant appointments
East Midlands-based Dice Environmental has appointed two new acoustic specialists to its team.
The company, which launched earlier this year, has experienced considerable growth. It now further strengthens its team and service offering with Jonathan Riley appointed as head of acoustics and Claire Starley supporting him as senior acoustic consultant.
Both have a proven track record in environmental and architectural acoustics with Jonathan having worked across sectors including residential, commercial, industrial, energy, education, healthcare, entertainment, and leisure.
Claire’s specialism is in large-scale road and rail schemes, construction modeling and permitting.
These appointments further add to Dice Environmental’s existing team of expert geo-environmental consultants, and expands the company’s service offering.
It has ambitious plans for the future with an exciting year two coming up.
Jake Bayne, director at Dice Environmental, said: “We could not be happier with how the first year has progressed. We’ve grown the team in less than a year to a level which has exceeded all of our expectations.
“The appointments of Jonathan and Claire are important ones for us. When we launched Dice Environmental, we knew there was a demand for quality environmental services such as contaminated land investigations and acoustic assessments from our existing client base, but that demand has been much higher than we planned for.
“These significant appointments signal how serious we are about growing this arm of the business, and by recruiting acoustics specialists, enable us to boost our pre-planning services offering.
“As for the future, we’ll continue to look for ways to build on our service offering and our business resilience and carry on developing key relationships across different sectors.”
Office refurbishments – four key things to consider
An office refurbishment is a great opportunity to breathe life back into your workspace. It allows you to change up your office without having to move to a new building, therefore saving significant amounts of time and money. Lincolnshire-based office design and fit out company, APSS believes there are four key things to consider to help you kit out your office with a new design:
Health and Safety
The first and arguably most important thing you need to think about when refurbishing your office is health and safety. As well as general health and safety checks like trip hazards and ambient working temperatures, the recent pandemic has seen many more people looking for added health and safety measures. These could be elements such as PPE, sanitising stations and privacy screens. Alongside these there are also more minor alterations which, although low in cost and effort, can make a big impact on productivity. Using screen filters to reduce eye strain, offering more natural light sources, daylight bulbs or tubes will lower levels of eye strain. This can also reduce fatigue and will be beneficial to your employees’ health and well-being. For many people, most of their day will be spent in this space, so another factor to consider is the seating and workspace. If this is planned carefully, it will allow you and your staff to feel comfortable during their working hours. A well thought out ergonomic workstation will include a comfortable chair with lumbar support that allows feet to be flat on the floor. Ideally it would also include a desk with adjustable height, tilts displays and shelving within easy reach. Reducing the risk of employee discomfort could also reduce employee absences and potential workplace claims. It is a nice touch, where possible, to include a comfortable break out space. This could be in the same area sectioned off and with cosy, alternative seating, or in a different room that offers a change of scenery and setting. You may also want to consider an outdoor space when planning this area.Company Culture
It is important to factor in the ever-changing office eco system, with more people working from home than ever before. Part time office work needs to be considered when refurbishing your office space as people may not always be using the space provided at the same time. This may make your office refurbishment cheaper, as less people using the space at once calls for less desks and work equipment. Smaller shared kitchen areas and bathroom facilities will also reduce costs. As a result of this, hot desking may be an approach your company would like to take to maximise space efficiency. This means working spaces need to be designed to cater for all working needs rather than just being tailored to a specific individual. Considering modular furniture which can be altered to suit individual requirements will allow greater flexibility, as will furniture on lockable castors and furniture that can be adjusted in height. You may find that, despite hot desking, offering some form of storage space for personal effects will allow staff to still feel a sense of belonging and permanency when working in the office.Sustainability
As there is an increasing global focus on sustainability, this should be one of the main things you consider in your office refurbishment. Try looking at eco-friendly materials, recycled furniture or fittings and more sustainable construction. This could be things such as lowering your carbon emissions, or installing environmentally friendly heating systems. Incorporating solar panels into your build or refit will demonstrate your commitment to a healthier, more sustainable planet. Although pricey in the interim period due to the initial purchase and installation costs, they will not only help the planet but ultimately your energy bill at the end of each month too! It’s not just about being eco-friendly. Making your office socially and economically sustainable as well is also hugely important. This includes making a cost-effective space, whilst still having those little extras that make your office an enjoyable place to work.Budget
There’s no skirting around it – most office refurbishments are expensive. With all the different things to consider, this is probably the factor you will think about first and foremost. Your typical refurbishment will cost between £40-£70 per square foot. The cheapest option is of course to just repaint the walls and purchase new furniture, such as desks and chairs. The most expensive parts of your office refurbishment would be new kitchen areas, or anything more technical, such as lighting, electrical wiring and room partitioning. Office refurbishment can be a big decision for your company to make, so making sure it is done to the best standard is incredibly important. Ensure that the company refurbishing your space is 100% dedicated to creating your perfect work environment. Ask to see prior refurbishments so you can get a feel for their standard of workmanship and ask for recommendations or previous client reviews. A good refurbishment company will have these to hand and will be proud to share them with you. Get some inspiration for your office design on the APSS website.Mortgage Advice Bureau hit by “quick and far-reaching” consequences of mini-budget
A profit warning has been released by Mortgage Advice Bureau, with the Derby-based firm pointing to the September mini-budget as the reason, due to its “quick and far-reaching” consequences.
The business noted that extreme market conditions followed the September mini-budget, and said that significantly heightened levels of uncertainty had a direct negative impact on the mortgage market, including an immediate rise in mortgage interest rates, the withdrawal of many mortgage products by lenders, a rapid tightening in underwriting and reducing availability of credit.
As a result, house purchase activity was significantly reduced and re-financing was also impacted. This situation then persisted as borrowers and lenders awaited some level of reassurance and clarity from the Autumn Statement.
These extreme market and lending conditions have “severely impacted” activity levels across all of the group’s product lines, with written business in October and November circa 50% below expected levels. The reduction in mortgage activity and new house sales is expected to persist until early 2023.
Mortgage Advice Bureau said that its financial result for the year ending 31 December 2022 will be impacted by the adverse market conditions, with adjusted profit before tax expected to be slightly below market expectations, with next year’s result anticipated to be considerably impacted. The company has also noted the placing of property portal Boomin into liquidation has led to a £2.8m non-cash write off for its investment.Peter Brodnicki, CEO of MAB, said: “The consequences of the so-called mini-budget have been quick and far-reaching. Overnight our market moved from being fairly stable and reasonably confident, to almost the polar opposite. The sudden and unexpected pace of mortgage rate increases, combined with the tightening of mortgage lending criteria, have resulted in some customers pausing both home-moving and re-financing plans.
“The recent Autumn Statement and the various Government changes prior to that have helped to stabilise markets. Although macro uncertainty remains for many reasons, we expect mortgage rates to continue to stabilise, allowing some customers to re-enter the home-moving market and also re-finance at more competitive mortgage rates than those seen in recent months.
“Despite the various market and political challenges, MAB remains very well positioned to grow its market share strongly through 2023. In more challenging housing markets although we may see a reduction in organic advisers our new AR recruitment performs strongly, so next year overall adviser numbers could remain flat.
“The re-financing opportunities in 2023 are significant, and with the technology enhancements we have delivered, MAB is in a better position than ever to optimise those opportunities. As expected, protection attachment rates have already started to improve in the current environment, and our focus to ensure that continues has never been greater. As we see in housing downturns, transactions are delayed, they are not lost.”
Government minister visits Leicestershire manufacturer to discuss trade opportunities
A global manufacturer and distributor recently welcomed a government minister to its UK headquarters in Leicestershire for a production and trade focused visit.
Kemi Badenoch MP, Secretary of State for International Trade, visited COBA Group, which specialises in the manufacture of thermoplastic products, at its production facility in Fleckney where more than a million products are manufactured each day.
Ms Badenoch was joined by Neil O’Brien, MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, for the visit, which included a tour of the complex where 266 of COBA Group’s 405 UK employees are based, and a discussion with Mark Cooke, CEO of COBA Group, regarding post-Brexit international trade opportunities.
The MP for Saffron Walden saw COBA Group’s largest subsidiary, COBA Automotive, at close quarters, as the East Midlands-based business looks to diversify its offering, with a number of opportunities currently available to work on a variety of exciting automotive and plastic projects.
As part of the tour, Ms Badenoch was walked through the ‘tie-down’ production area, where a product category of COBA Group’s successful automotive seating portfolio is created.
The International Trade Minister and her team were shown around the whole production facility, where 1000 solar panels have recently been installed on the roof, with the expectation of reducing energy costs and COBA’s carbon footprint.
Ms Badenoch, who is also President of the Board of Trade, visited COBA Group as part of its long-term strategy to expand its operations in international markets and sustain noticeable export growth, with the business now supplying its products to more than 140 clients in 40 countries.
COBA Group’s manufacturing and distributing capabilities are increasing internationally, with COBA Automotive now operating two production plants in Slovakia and Romania.
The business has now been trading for 55 years, and runs 14 production facilities in Europe and Africa. It featured in the London Stock Exchange’s 2020 list of ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ and is a staple of Leicestershire’s Top 200 Companies.
Mark Cooke, CEO at COBA Group, said: “We were delighted to welcome Kemi Badenoch MP to Fleckney for a tour of our manufacturing facility. International trade is an important part of our business operations, so it was beneficial to share our recent experiences with her and hope they guide her somewhat as she seeks to establish the UK on a sound global trading footing post-Brexit.
“Managing the journey of our products, from their beginnings as individual components to the finished article that end up with our customers, whether that be in the UK or on mainland Europe, Africa or other parts of the world where we operate, is an ongoing challenge. We naturally always want to always improve in this area, so to relay our thoughts to Ms Badenoch and to see her so engaged and interested in supporting our efforts was great.
“Like so many of our counterparts, COBA Group has faced some challenging circumstances in recent times, but it was refreshing to have some really positive discussions about COBA Group’s importance within the East Midlands business community and beyond as a global manufacturer.
“We were pleased to be able to talk to Ms Badenoch about maximising COBA Group’s domestic trade opportunities, and to learn about her ongoing commitment to the UK plastering and automotive sectors.
“It was a privilege to welcome her to our Fleckney base, and post-visit, we’re excited to continue moving the business forward and keep ensuring that we’re going above and beyond for our clients by working smartly, providing a high-quality service at the best value possible, and exceeding their expectations.”
New tools to identify non-compliant business locations created to support regulation and enforcement
New tools to map the location of non-compliant businesses have been created following a report which found that hand car washes, nail bars, and other informal economy sectors are more likely to be found within specific types of neighbourhoods.
The Work, Informalisation and Place Research Centre (WIP) at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), has developed a database, maps, Informal Economy Index and Covid Economic Impact Index to predict and identify the location of business in the UK which breach regulations such as labour, environmental, health and safety, and insurance.
Created as part of research funded by the Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre, it is hoped that the indices can provide a powerful and valuable tool to support place-based approaches for both national and local education, engagement, and enforcement.
Using the Ordnance Survey’s Points of Interest database and Google Street View, the team has already mapped the location of 38% of hand car washes in the UK, including core cities, and is completing the same exercise for nail bars in the East Midlands, Greater Manchester, and Birmingham.
The mapping has identified neighbourhoods where non-compliant employment sites are more likely to be located. This had led to the development of neighbourhood-level maps which predict the location of these business based on risk and protective factors in the area.
Using official data sources and fieldwork, the team has also constructed a database covering all neighbourhoods across England that include socio-demographic, economic and built environment factors which could indicate the location of hand car washes and nail bars.
For example, in relation to hand car washes they identified risk factors linked to the presence of other forms of economic activity, including vehicle repairs, second-hand car sales and petrol stations alongside A or B roads passing through neighbourhoods. Neighbourhoods less likely to feature hand car washes included those with greater educational qualifications among the population, more affluent residential areas containing detached and semi-detached properties, and greater student households.
The mapping also revealed that nail bars are more likely to be found in neighbourhoods with higher numbers of hair and beauty salons, charity shops, restaurants, shoe stores, chemists or pharmacies, petrol stations, and more cohabiting households with children. In contrast, the presence of terraced and social housing, higher median house prices and households with three or more cars is more likely to reduce the presence of nail bars.
Expanding on the car wash and nail bar mapping, the new Informal Economy Index (IEI) predicts the presence of employment within all sectors of the informal economy across neighbourhoods in England. The IEI concentrates on the over-representation of population groups identified as typical participants in a range of informal economy sectors within specific neighbourhoods, leading to the identification of neighbourhoods across the country which have higher or lower predicted rates of non-compliant informal engagement. It uses 14 indicators taken from official sources, for example average net income after housing costs, households living in temporary accommodation, children living in deprivation and resettled asylum seekers.
An example from the Greater Manchester area predicts higher levels of informal economy employment in the former industrial, manufacturing and textile areas but much lower levels within the more affluent neighbourhoods.
A Covid Economic Impact Index (CEII) has also been created to monitor the likely impact of the pandemic on the non-compliant economy and location of modern slavery practices. The CEII uses existing evidence on the economic sectors that have experienced the biggest economic impact from the pandemic, such as tourism, hospitality, automotive, and beauty.
Findings showed that the impact of the pandemic was mixed in relation to non-compliant businesses and sites of modern slavery. Many non-compliant businesses were found to be located within neighbourhoods which are unlikely to benefit from local and national Covid-19 recovery initiatives, leading to concerns that measures still need to be taken to prevent further non-compliance and modern slavery from becoming more embedded in these neighbourhoods. This is needed to prevent workplaces from continuing to operate beyond re-generation measures where the drivers of non-compliance and modern slavery may continue within any new disaster or emergency incidents.
Dr James Hunter, research lead and principal lecturer in Public Policy at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said: “There is a need for local authorities and regulators to take a neighbourhood approach to tackling illicit activity relating to the informal economy. Improved mapping means that resources and effort can be focused on identified high risk areas.
“These indices move away from a purely intelligence-based approach to one focused on geographic concentration and multi-agency activity. This is important as the presence of non-compliant workplaces, including those that exhibit modern slavery, may go unnoticed as they are often hidden or assumed to be legitimate legal enterprises.
“Based on this work we have already delivered a data product to all UK Police Forces through the National Crime Agency which supported targeted engagement with over 600 hand car washes to challenge potential illicit activity. This highlights the value of a targeted approach which challenges business owners to comply with a set of clear legal standards that protect workers, consumers and the local environment.
“We hope that these indices can now be used for additional training on spotting signs of market non-compliance across all enforcement agencies.”
Alongside its work with the National Crime Agency, WIP – which includes researchers from NTU’s School of Social Sciences and Nottingham Business School – has also worked with the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority, Office of the Director of Labour Exploitation, and the Responsible Car Wash Scheme to inform their work to improve standards and challenge illegal activity.
Foresight strengthens Midlands investment team with double hire
Foresight Group, a listed private equity and infrastructure investment manager, has strengthened its team in the Midlands with the appointment of two investment managers.
The new hires, Line Kristine Gauteplass and Irfan Ashfak, bring significant regional knowledge and insight to Foresight’s existing team.
Line has joined from Grant Thornton’s corporate finance division, where she spent five years advising mid-market companies across a wide range of sectors. Line has also worked for Mazars LLP and BNP Paribas.
Irfan previously worked for Midlands-based accountancy firm Magma, where he spent three years in its corporate finance team working on transactions in the recycling, engineering and software sectors.
Ray Harris, director at Foresight, said: “We are delighted to welcome Line and Irfan as we continue to support promising SMEs in the region. Foresight is committed to helping all economies thrive so it’s great to add extra ‘boots on the ground in the Midlands’.
“With experience in business investment, innovation and growth, Line and Irfan will provide tremendous value to business owners and management teams in the Midlands. We want to support SMEs to scale their companies, create high-quality, local jobs, achieve their ambitions and enable companies to help their local areas prosper.”
Line Kristine Gauteplass said: “I have worked in this region for six years and I know there are many small businesses with huge potential. I am delighted to have the opportunity to not only advise them but invest in and support them.”
Irfan Ashfak added: “Ray and the Foresight team have a great reputation for supporting entrepreneurial SMEs. I am excited to have joined them in the East Midlands and I am looking forward to working closely with local businesses and advisors in the region.”
As one of the most active SME investors in the UK – having made 82 SME investments so far in calendar year 2022 – Foresight has a strong presence in the East and South Midlands, where it is an appointed fund manager to MEIF, the Midlands Engine Investment Fund. Alongside this, since 2013, Foresight has managed a £39 million fund dedicated to Nottinghamshire and also makes VCT investments into the region; Foresight currently manages over £620 million in VCTs.
Since 2018, Foresight’s East & South East Midlands MEIF Equity Finance Fund has deployed more than £28 million into 28 ambitious small companies in the region.
Lincolnshire health and safety specialists acquired
PIB Group has acquired health and safety specialists Emprocom, who bring complementary services and expertise to the group’s risk management proposition.
Based in Lincolnshire and servicing clients further afield across the East Midlands, Emprocom will form part of the PIB Risk Management division.
The two businesses enjoy an existing relationship, which has led to the new collaboration. Carl Gryniewicz will continue in his role as director on completion of the deal, working closely with Adrian Robinson, Managing Director for PIB Risk Management.
Adrian Robinson said: “I have deep respect for Carl and his talented team, and I’m absolutely delighted to give them all a warm welcome to PIB Group. Their knowledge, expertise and passion for servicing clients will be a real credit to us.
“It’s very exciting to be able to join forces and work together along with our existing colleagues to continue building our market-leading risk management proposition.
“The team’s presence in the East Midlands will give an extra boost to our regional footprint and expand our client base, while providing them with access to an even broader range of products and services across our PIB Group family.”
Carl Gryniewicz, director for Emprocom, said: “This is an exciting step for Emprocom as we become part of PIB Group. Joining a like-minded organisation with a similar ethos and culture was an important characteristic in selecting a new home for our future.
“We were attracted to PIB because of their stability as well as a good alignment in long-term visions, customer focus and pride in achieving true satisfaction in helping clients. We look forward to the many opportunities ahead to leverage the expertise and scale of PIB, and also bringing our complementary skills to the ongoing success of the PIB Risk Management division.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to our loyal customer-base for their support, and we look forward to enjoying those relationships for many more years to come.”
IMA Architects makes senior promotions
IMA Architects (IMA), an architectural firm based on Lutterworth Road in Blaby, Leicester, has made changes to its management team that will see two longstanding members of staff promoted to senior positions within the company.
Former director, Anthony Day, has been promoted to Managing Director and Ben Hall, formerly an associate director, has been promoted to director. Ian McCann, who co-founded the practice in 1997 remains a senior member of the management team at IMA as a director.
Ian’s new role will see him focus on the marketing and business development functions of IMA with Anthony and Ben overseeing the successful delivery and management of client projects, alongside all other functions of the company.
New Managing Director Anthony Day joined IMA Architects in 2006 and was promoted to director in 2017. In 2013, Anthony achieved Chartered Status with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists. With extensive experience across a broad range of projects, most significantly within the commercial and industrial sectors, Anthony has been instrumental in the recent growth of IMA, successfully securing and developing new clients for the company.
Commenting on his promotion, Anthony Day said: “I am very proud to be Managing Director of IMA Architects at what is an exciting time for the business. With numerous high profile client projects underway and the development of our own, UK first, technology with the IMA Digital Pods, I am looking forward to growing the company further and ensure that IMA is one of the best architectural companies in the UK.”
Director Ben Hall joined IMA in 2007 and graduated with a First Class BSc (Hons) Degree in Architectural Design, Technology and Production from De Montfort University in 2013. In 2015 Ben achieved Chartered Status with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists. Over recent years, Ben has played a significant role in the development of new technologies within IMA, particularly Building Information Modelling (BIM) and has managed a number of high-profile client projects using BIM.
Ben Hall comments: “We are seeing an increasing number of our clients want to develop projects using BIM and this is certainly a growth area for us. I am delighted to now be a director of IMA and I am looking forward to further developing our expertise in BIM for the benefit of our clients and IMA as a whole.
“Both Anthony and I would like to thank Ian McCann for his continued support and guidance over the 31 years that we have been with the company. We are both looking forward to continuing to work along side Ian to drive the growth of IMA in the coming years.”
