Office Manager appointed by Blueprint Interiors
Workplace consultants and office fit-out specialists Blueprint Interiors has appointed Kim Bates as their new office manager.
Kim, who lives in Ashby de la Zouch, has worked in business administration and accounting roles for her entire 15 year career, during which she gained the experience that is essential as an office manager.
In her new role Kim will support all departments to ensure Blueprint Interiors can deliver a quality service to clients. She will ensure the offices are running effectively on a day-to-day basis and will be involved in a range of activities, from monitoring health and safety and compliance to assisting with HR and procurement.
She said: “I have a real passion for interior design and refurbishing buildings so I was excited about the opportunity to learn more about the industry whilst also being of practical help as office manager.”
The appointment follows a successful period, during which the company has been appointed on projects for more high profile clients including The Melton Building Society, MIRA and Corteva Agriscience in Oxfordshire.
Rachel Biddles, operations director, added: “We have a healthy pipeline of new projects already secured for 2023 and we felt the need to strengthen the administration and support team was essential.”
Consultation on £1.14bn devolution plans begins
A public consultation about devolution for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has begun.
The consultation is taking place from Monday 14 November until Monday 9 January 2023 and is an opportunity for everyone in the area to have their say about devolution proposals. It is open to residents, businesses, community and voluntary groups, and other organisations in the region.
The leaders of the four councils signed up to work on a devolution deal on 30 August this year at an event at Rolls Royce in Derby, following an announcement from Government that a package of new powers and funding, worth £1.14 billion, were available for the area.
Since August the councils have been working on agreeing a more detailed proposal for consultation, which includes more information about how devolution would work in our area.
The four councils agreed to go ahead with a public consultation as the next step in the process, so everyone has the chance to give their views on the proposal.
Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “The East Midlands has long been overlooked and held back compared to other areas of the country. The cities and counties in our region should have a bigger voice, and this devolution deal would give us the influence, funding, and powers that we deserve.
“The investment in this deal will bring with it many opportunities. We could see more jobs, better transport and housing, an enhanced greener environment, and more value for money of services provided for our people.
“The proposals that we’re consulting on are just the beginning, and we’re determined to build on it over time. I would encourage everyone to give us their views on the deal by taking part in the consultation.”
Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “Devolution is about getting a better deal for Derbyshire and the East Midlands and achieving a fair share for our region. It will bring us more money and mean we can make more meaningful decisions here, rather than in London.
“This deal will bring more and better jobs and opportunities for training, improve the local economy, result in better transport and housing, and accelerate our route to Net Zero. I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and give us their views on devolution.
“A devolution deal, should it be agreed, would be the beginning, not the end. We’re determined to build on this deal over time, as other areas have done.”
Ben Bradley MP, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It’s great news that we’re moving forward with devolution plans for Nottinghamshire and the wider area. I’m really pleased that we’re making progress with this.
“Devolution can bring real benefits for local people, as it has done in other parts of the country. It will mean more funding for our region, and the opportunity to have more meaningful decisions made here, near the people they affect, rather than in London, so they can be better tailored to local needs.
“This is an opportunity to create jobs, boost our economy, enhance transport, build more and better homes, improve our environment, and more, and we need to grab it with both hands. I don’t want our area to miss out on a chance to improve things for everyone who lives and works here.
“Devolution can help us be more effective locally, make better use of public money, and most importantly, improve people’s lives. It would lay the groundwork for us to build on in the future, to benefit future generations.
“I’d encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and give us their views on the devolution deal.”
David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “This deal has the potential to make a significant difference and local people would see the real benefits from the investment with more and better jobs, housing, training and much more.
“For too long this region hasn’t had the investment it needed and deserves – by working on a deal we can start to address this, but this is just the start, and I will make sure that we get our fair share and make the most of this funding.
“Importantly the deal would give us more control over our own area, where local people would have a say in the region’s priorities rather than decisions made in London. I look forward to hearing people’s views on the deal when the consultation launches.”
Devolution would provide the region with a guaranteed income stream of £38 million per year over a 30-year period, and would cover around 2.2 million people, making it one of the biggest in the country.
If the plans go ahead, it will mean a new regional mayor and it would create the first of a new type of combined authority for the two counties and cities, which requires new legislation from central government.
The new elected regional mayor, like those who are already in place in other areas, would represent the whole area. The role of the mayor would be to look at major issues affecting the whole region, give the area a bigger voice, and take advantage of local knowledge and expertise.
As well as the £1.14 billion, devolution plans include an extra £16 million for new homes on brownfield land, and control over a range of budgets like the Adult Education Budget, which could be better tailored to the needs of people in our communities.
Devolution would mean that a future mayor and combined authority could:
Work towards Net Zero and cleaner air with new low carbon homes, retrofit existing houses with external wall insulation, promote the use of renewable energy, and protect and enhance green spaces, like areas for wildlife and green verges.
Build on the region’s existing knowledge and expertise in green technology and promote the growth of a future low carbon economy by investing in related skills training at colleges and other training facilities.
Set up and coordinate smart integrated ticketing and enhanced concessionary fares schemes.
Work with Homes England to build more affordable homes, by using new powers to buy land and housing (with district and borough council consent).
Enhance the region’s economy by developing new commercial space to maximise opportunities.
Work with national government on initiatives to address homelessness, domestic abuse, community safety, social mobility, and support for young people.
Take advantage of economies of scale by using combined and devolved budgets to deliver more value for taxpayers and more cost-efficient services.
The four councils sent initial proposals to negotiate a combined devolution deal back in March 2022, after being named as pathfinder areas by the Government in February and then being invited to apply for a devolution deal.
The councils have been working with the Government to develop details of the deal, alongside discussions with district and borough councils, businesses, and other stakeholders.
If the devolution deal is formally approved, the Government will pass legislation bringing a new combined authority for the East Midlands into existence. The first election for a regional mayor for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire, would be in May 2024.
The regional mayor would lead the new combined authority, which would also include representatives from local councils, with decision making powers and resources moving from London to the East Midlands. Local businesses would also have a voice, as well as other organisations.
The devolution deal would not mean scrapping or merging local councils, which would all continue to exist as they do now and would still be responsible for most public services in the area. The mayor and combined authority would instead focus on wider issues like transport, regeneration, and employment across both cities and counties.
More information about the consultation, and a link to the online survey, are available online.
Oberoi Business Hub helps Wowcher find perfect office deal
Wowcher has joined the list of businesses which have benefited from short term office contracts offered by Oberoi Business Hub.
Wowcher had previously been based at the former Derby Telegraph offices in Northcliffe House and required temporary accommodation for two months before the new premises were available at Pentagon House in Sir Frank Whittle Road.
Within three days of the initial enquiry, Oberoi Business Hub centre manager Jodie Brady and the team prepared a fully furnished office for 12 team members with access to informal work and social space and full use of the shared kitchen and reception.
Wowcher head of operations Julian Boardman added: “We were very impressed with Oberoi Business Hub’s swift and efficient on-boarding – providing us with great quality facilities to ensure business continuity during this time of transition.”
Other businesses which required temporary office accommodation at Oberoi Business Hub have included ICP Nurseries, Amey Consulting and Engineering Reinforcing Steel Industries.
Founder Kavita Oberoi explained: “Feedback from agents and our own experience at the Oberoi Business Hub is that Derby’s commercial property market has been particularly buoyant this year thanks to new premises becoming available and businesses re-evaluating their office accommodation requirements.
“By offering a wide range of different options – our team at Oberoi Business Hub are able to respond quickly and efficiently to businesses and organisations requiring high quality temporary accommodation due to consolidation or expansion.”
Double award win and senior appointments see Derby agency on track for growth
Hot on the heels of further senior appointments, and a double award win at the CIPR Midlands PRide Awards, Derby-based full-service agency Balls2 Marketing is on track for its ambitious growth targets.
Following the agency’s senior leadership team restructure in the spring, duo Katie Bregazzi and Lauren Doyle, who have taken the helm at the agency, have powered forward to drive transformational change and meet business targets to double turnover and team size in three years.
Appointing Julie Bednall as account director, the agency has added strength and depth to its team, whilst diversifying its market capabilities and experience in the construction and retail sectors. With 18 years’ experience in marketing and communications, Julie boasts career experience at ITV, HomeServe and most recently the Bristan Group.
Katie Bregazzi, operations director, says: “It’s an exciting time in our journey at Balls2 Marketing and Julie’s appointment and sector experience in the construction and home improvement industry, is integral in helping us achieve our goals.”
Adding to the agency’s success journey so far this year, Balls2 Marketing is also celebrating being recognised in two categories at this year’s CIPR PRide Midlands awards, winning silver for Best Construction, Property or Infrastructure campaign and gold for Best Event for Everglade Windows’ Road to 2030 Customer Conference.
The CIPR PRide Award judges commented: “Underpinned by detailed research and a strong commitment to raising awareness of mental health issues within the construction sector, this Road to 2030 event for Everglade Windows, organised by Balls2Marketing, outperformed all its target objectives.”
Boosting workforce health can help UK achieve economic growth ambitions, says CBI
A new index which benchmarks businesses’ health provision is launched today by the CBI to help tackle the record long-term sickness absence levels restricting the UK’s productivity and undermining economic growth ambitions.
Data shows the UK loses 131 million working days a year to ill-health, costing the nation around £180billion in GDP.
The ONS is today due to publish new data that further reinforces the need to address the number of people leaving the labour market through ill health. The labour shortages this creates has a damaging impact on productivity; growing the economy will be impossible without a healthy population.
With workplaces known to be an effective influencer of health behaviours, the CBI – working with Business for Health and supported by the NHS and HM Government – is today launching a first iteration of its Work Health Index (WHI) to benchmark private sector health provision across the economy.
The WHI will give all businesses the opportunity to diagnose the strength of their health offer and benchmark it against peers. It will cover all workplace policies, practices and provision designed to support employee health and wellbeing, from cycle to work schemes to counselling to parental leave policies.
In the immediate term, it will help firms understand their competitiveness and enhance their employee value proposition. In the longer term, it should help businesses to create better work environments and support better health outcomes across the working age population – resulting in elevated workplace productivity.
Brian McBride, CBI president, said: “Labour market resilience is a precondition to growth. Without healthy, productive employees, the UK economy will be unable to achieve the growth it sorely needs.
“Businesses understand the link between health and wealth, and have a major role to play. While the NHS continues to serve us all in our moments of immediate need, employers across the UK have a golden window emerging from the pandemic to lean into long-term measures which enhance employee health and wellbeing.
“With the UK staring down a fiscally constrained period, the moment to boost the UK’s preventative health model is now. The Work Health Index is here to help achieve just that.”
With workforce health higher than ever before on the business agenda in the wake of the pandemic, the CBI believes this is the ideal time to launch this partnership between industry, Government and the health service.
By uniting these stakeholders, the CBI believes it can further grow businesses’ appreciation of employee wellbeing as an investment rather than a cost.
The next steps will see the CBI’s Health team working closely with partners across Government and the health service, and continuing its strategic partnership with Business for Health to bring the Work Health Index through private sector testing to public usage in 2023.
Tom Pursglove MP, Minister for Disabled People, said: “It is clear a healthier, more productive workforce is key to driving growth and tackling inactivity. Government and employers must work together to unlock talent from those who may be facing health barriers.
“We also know that being in work boosts wellbeing, and that is why our initiatives including additional Work Coach time are supporting people with health conditions into work.
“We’re building on this with schemes like our new £6.4 million online service giving employers free advice and guidance to support staff with health issues to stay in, or return to, work. We are delighted to support the CBI’s Work Health Index which complements this by providing employers with the tools they need to build healthier, more inclusive workforces.”
Minister for Primary Care and Public Health Neil O’Brien said: “A healthy and resilient workforce is vital for the economy of our nation, and any steps employers make to improve the health and wellbeing of their staff are commended.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to level-up health and care across the country, and the CBI’s Work Health Index provides a great example of using data to drive employer action to improve the health of their workforce.”
John Godfrey, Business for Health Chair, said: “Business has a huge role in public health: as employers, as providers of healthy goods and services and as drivers of healthy local economies.
“This Index with the support of the CBI starts to tackle the first of these. Business is shifting the dial on climate, it is in our interest to do the same on health.”
Hines and Clowes expand venture to develop 1.15m sq ft of logistics space
Hines, a global real estate investment, development, and property manager is growing its logistics development presence in the UK and Europe via the expansion of its joint venture with Clowes, the Derbyshire-headquartered property investor and developer, to develop a total of 1.15 million square feet of modern logistics space across the East Midlands.
The expanded joint venture will fund the development of state-of-the-art warehousing across 8 units, each of which will be developed to a high specification and target BREAAM ‘very good’ certification. EV charging infrastructure will be installed across the portfolio, and the units are designed to support the installation of solar panels.
The new facilities will service the high levels of demand Hines is experiencing among occupiers seeking logistics space in supply-constrained areas. This initiative increases the initial commitment to deliver 772,000 square feet of logistics space across four UK business parks, which was reached in September 2021.
195,000 square feet of space has already been delivered by the joint venture at Dove Valley Park in South Derbyshire. Located in one of the country’s most important logistics areas, Dove Valley Park allows occupiers to access a catchment of 48 million people within a four-hour drive time, with excellent connectivity via the M1, M6, A50 and A38. Müller, Meg, Futaba, Tophat, JCB, Truma and GXO are already occupiers at the Park.
The remaining units under development by the joint venture will be completed during 2023 and include plots at Fairham Business Park, EMDC, and Castlewood Business Park.
Greg Cooper, Managing Director at Hines, said: “The expansion of our joint venture with Clowes to develop a total of 1.15 million square feet (107,000 square metres) of high-quality logistics space in the East Midlands is testament to our ongoing conviction in the logistics sector and developing best-in-class spaces that occupiers will call home.
“Within our network of customer and occupier relationships we continue to see strong nationwide occupier demand, and the Golden Triangle provides fantastic access to all of the UK within 4 hours by car, carving it out as a standout location.”
James Richards, director at Clowes Development, added: “This expanded partnership with Hines will allow us to continue to collaborate to develop best-in-class warehousing at well located sites across the East Midlands.
“The expansion will unlock new opportunities within the UK’s logistics ‘golden triangle’, as well as in other locations benefiting from strong transport links and favourable local supply and demand drivers. We are confident that our teamwork and close collaboration will continue to bear fruit.
“As with any large-scale transactions of this nature, teamwork is essential. Deals like this come with a wealth of complexities which require a keen eye and attention to detail to ensure all aspects are executed properly.
“We have small group of experts here at Clowes who ensure we achieve compliance and diligence at all levels. I would also like to thank our legal team at Geldards for all their hard work and commitment to getting this deal over the line.”
Heather Dixon, partner at Geldards, said: “We were delighted to continue our productive relationship with Hines and Clowes and complete the complex funding deal that now enables this exciting development to progress. As the UK economy begins to rebuild and transform, logistics and warehousing will become a critical driver for growth.
“These new developments, delivered through an ambitious and driven collaboration puts the East Midlands at the heart of this transformation and delivers the infrastructure needed for the region to become a driving force for growth and innovation.”
New lease of life set for derelict leather workshop
Planning permission to convert a former Victorian leather workshop in Northampton into starter homes has been granted, following a successful application by local entrepreneur Paresh Parmar, supported by Marrons Planning.
The Dunster Street unit – which was constructed in 1895 but has been derelict for the past two years – will be transformed into four one-bedroom apartments, offering additional housing in a sought-after location, while also making positive use out of a derelict building within the historic Boot and Shoe conservation area.
Respecting the local surroundings, the external works will be in keeping with the historic nature of the conservation area, while also providing excellent internal living areas, contributing to the local council’s five-year housing land supply.
Due for completion in 2023, the apartments will be available to purchase, supporting more people onto the housing ladder.
Sachin Parmar, associate director at Marrons Planning, said: “This was a challenging application as we needed to ensure the plans would not harm the character or appearance of the environment, but in fact enhance them.
“Due to a lack of investment over the past few years, the building is plagued with water leakages and damp issues. However, what’s great about this development is that it’s answering the housing need, while making viable use of a run down, unused property. We look forward to seeing the conversion take shape!”
Dunster Street comprises two-storey terraced and semi-detached houses, interspersed with historic workshops and factories, some of which have been converted to residential use. The former leather warehouse was most recently used as a model supply shop.
Each new apartment within the building will consist of an open plan living and kitchen area, bathroom and bedroom. A courtyard area will be constructed for the ground floor apartments.
Experienced development entrepreneur Paresh Parmar said: “We’re really pleased to have obtained planning permission for our next build. It’s well known that there is a shortage of good quality homes across Northampton and beyond, with young people, in particular, struggling to take their first step on the housing ladder.”
Moy Park reverses plan to close Derbyshire plant
Chicken products producer Moy Park has walked back threats to close one of its Derbyshire plants.
This comes after weeks of negotiations with GMB bosses to re-consider closing the facility near Ashbourne, with the potential loss of hundreds of local jobs.
While 175 jobs will be saved, the facility will be downsized and reshaped to be a B2B supplier, reducing the workforce.
Mick Coppin, GMB Organiser, said: “GMB has been negotiating and campaigning to save jobs at Moy Park for months. To see management sit up and listen to our members demands is fantastic.
“These workers are absolutely essential in producing and supplying our favourite chicken products across the country, in the home and in well love restaurant chains including Nando’s and McDonalds.
“Potential job losses on the scale feared would have been catastrophic for the local community, and GMB union members should be proud that they have delivered this win.
“This weekend I’ll be raising a toast with my Sunday Dinner to those GMB Union members at Moy Park in Derbyshire who brought the country back from the brink of a devastating chicken shortage.”
New research to improve support for small businesses in the East Midlands
The needs of small businesses in the East Midlands are being investigated in a new study by experts at the University of Nottingham, in collaboration with the East Midlands Chamber.
Leaders of small businesses in the region are invited to help Academics from Nottingham University Business School build an understanding of what they want from business support and how they access it.
Analysis from the project will help to inform the future of business advice and support available in the region.
Dr Robert Wapshott, associate professor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Nottingham University Business School, said: “Effective systems of advice and support for small businesses can add value to ventures and the region. To achieve this, however, we need to focus on what small businesses really want and how they want to access advice and support.
“We are very aware of the current economic climate and issues with international trade, so we are keen to make sure that the support on offer directly addresses and assists with the concerns that business leaders have. The growth of the region relies on this.”
Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of the East Midlands Chamber, said: “External factors, such as the disruption we’ve experienced over the past few years, have meant the needs of businesses have evolved significantly – whether it’s in their supply chains, people or innovation.
“This means the business support ecosystem must respond accordingly to ensure our firms are well-equipped to overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
“The high quality of the business support services we offer was recently recognised by the British Chambers of Commerce, which named us the UK Chamber of the Year for 2022, but we know we must not stand still as an organisation. This unique research project will provide us with the intelligence required to continue supporting the success of our region’s businesses and communities.”
Interviews with small businesses across the East Midlands will begin in the first quarter of 2023.
Participants will be asked to take part in an online 45-minute interview focused on how they engage with business advice and support services and how the support on offer could be improved to better meet the needs of their business and others in the region.
Leaders of small businesses who are interested in helping to shape knowledge on business advice and support can contact policy@emc-dnl.co.uk to find out more about the project and how to get involved. wilko agrees sale and leaseback deal at Nottinghamshire distribution centre
Privately owned, everyday household and garden retailer, wilko has confirmed plans to unlock £48 million as part of a strategic 15-year partnership agreement with logistics specialist DHL.
The business refinance, made possible by the sale and leaseback of its Nottinghamshire distribution centre, is just the first of a series of positive partnership benefits that will allow the business to further improve the proposition and the customer experience across its 402 stores and wilko.com.
While day to day operations will remain unchanged, working in partnership with DHL, who already have several large operations in the local area, means both wilko and DHL will benefit from scale in property and warehousing.
Jerome Saint-Marc, wilko CEO, says: “It’s standard business practice to constantly review how we manage our finances. This property deal with DHL represents long-term stability for us and our team members and is the right response to the current market conditions and our priorities.
“We’re making smart choices to trade a business and allow us to continue to invest in our long-term transformational strategy. Wilko remains family owned and continues to focus on helping hard working families to be the best that they can be, delivering great value products to our customers.”
