For more information on exhibiting at the event click here.
To register to attend the event for free click here.
From property agents to developers, architects, contractors, investors, PR firms, and more, see the list of current exhibitors here.Four days to go until the East Midlands Expo – the ultimate networking opportunity
The highly anticipated East Midlands Expo is now just around the corner, offering the perfect chance to forge new contacts.
Free to attend, the established event of over 20 years will take place on Monday 14 November 2022 at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham, presenting everything you require for the ultimate day of business generation.
A well targeted exhibition and networking opportunity, aimed at the construction, property, business, investment, finance, professional services and related B2B markets, register to attend the expo for free here.
Business Link is a proud partner of the day, which will begin with exhibitor breakfast networking and open to attendees at 9am.
A seminar will take place between 10:45am and noon with BSP Consulting’s directors Mark Rayers and Tony Goddard lined up to present ‘Sustainability and how engineering plays its part’.
A special networking lunch (for which tickets are now SOLD OUT) will then take place between 12:15pm and 2:15pm, and the exhibition will close at 3:30pm.
East Midlands Business Link looks forward to greeting visitors old and new and to add a little fun to the occasion, we’re inviting guests to drop their business card in to one of our ‘festively-charged’ staff for a chance to win a case of wine delivered direct to your door.
If you’d like it delivering to your home rather than your office, just write the delivery address on your card when you drop it in and don’t forget to let us know whether you prefer reds, whites or a mix.
New office and team growth for Loughborough coaching firm
Business coaching franchise ActionCOACH Loughborough has moved into new and bigger office space in The Heritage Building in Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Located in the heart of the Loughborough business community, the new office will provide much-needed and dedicated space for the team to deliver coaching, training and seminars, and will house ActionCOACH Loughborough employees.
The office includes a meeting and board room, which will be available for other businesses to hire out and use for company or team meetings, as well as additional spaces for co-working and the ability for people to hire a desk on a daily basis.
The business has been based in Loughborough since 2015 and the move follows a successful period of growth for the firm, which is led by Managing Director Matt Bull.
Matt said: “I am incredibly proud of the team and all we have achieved as a business over the past few years, and delighted to have moved into a new and bigger office space to operate in.
“We are part of a supportive business community in Loughborough and by providing office and meeting space for businesses, we hope to connect with more people and grow our relationships beyond Leicestershire.”
As well as the office move, personal growth has been achieved for a number of team members including business development executive Jake Kebble, who has been promoted to head of membership development – leading on key events for the business and growing its membership.
Jake started at ActionCOACH Loughborough in November 2021, as part of the Government’s six-month Kickstarter scheme, as a data analyst before being promoted into a BD role.
Coach Kerry Malster has also been promoted to membership manager, she will be looking after and managing all members, social events and ensuring the ActionCOACH Loughborough experience is world class. Kerry will also continue her role as a business coach.
Matt added: “As a close-knit team of ten, we are committed to investing in our team members and I’m delighted that Jake and Kerry have been promoted into new roles within the business. Jake in particular has had a fantastic journey with us and I’m proud to see him grow into a head of role.
“We recently hit our milestone of 50 clients and the goal for 2023 is to continue to grow our client base as well as support local talent and investment in the area. We want to expand our coaches, to serve the demand, and recruit apprentice level and young people to train them to be the next generation of coaches.”
Digitised smart energy networks could save billions in energy costs across the Midlands
As the energy crisis continues, a new Midlands Engine report finds that digitised smart energy networks could save billions in energy costs across the Midlands.
A new report from the Midlands Engine has put forward a plan for the Midlands to become the UK’s first Smart Energy Region, helping tackle both the cost-of-living crisis and climate change. The report, Smart Energy – An Energy System for the 21st Century, was co-authored by the Midlands Engine partnership, Siemens and the University of Birmingham. It calls for the accelerated digitisation of regional energy systems to usher in significant domestic energy savings, job creation, and support for the continued rollout of cheap, clean energy sources. Smart energy systems can include ‘microgrids’, electric vehicles and smart meters, and would use digital technologies and artificial intelligence to balance energy needs across a network. In the case of the Midlands, the report identifies opportunities for consumers and businesses to save up to £70bn in energy costs, while slashing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions and establishing the region as a world leader in smart energy. This month the National Grid began trialling a scheme using smart meters to help customers access discounts by using less electricity at peak time. The Smart Energy report identifies opportunities for similar schemes for small businesses and electric vehicle charging and highlights ways in which interconnectivity and use of data can drive even greater efficiencies. It calls for a number of initial steps to set the region on the right path, including the rollout of large-scale Smart Energy Pathfinder projects, the creation of a regional energy data taskforce, and the formation of a smart energy skills programme. It highlights the need for public sector support for decentralised energy systems, especially through more local renewable energy generation. These steps would follow a number of regional smart energy projects that are already underway, including the University of Birmingham’s smart campus plan. Combined with the region’s scale of energy utilisation (the Midlands accounts for a sixth of Britain’s electricity and gas demand) and its ambition to reach net zero, the report says the region could become a smart energy exemplar. Lord Bilimoria, Chancellor of the University of Birmingham and President of the Confederation of British Industry, said of the report: “The UK energy system is changing at an unprecedented pace. The ongoing energy crisis has shown how crucial it is that we secure a robust domestic supply of cheap energy, as well as reinforce our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. “Smart energy systems are a crucial step on the way to achieving these aims, while providing regional growth and supporting high-skilled jobs. It’s fantastic to see the Midlands leading the way in their development, with the University of Birmingham, Siemens and the Midlands Engine combining their expertise to make potentially transformative policy recommendations.” Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine partnership, said: “The Midlands Engine partnership is committed to growing our region’s economy while ensuring a net zero transition for the next generation. The exceptional work of partners to lay the groundwork for smart energy, combined with our world-leading research and manufacturing base, means we are well placed to build on our history of powering the UK by driving forward the implementation of smart energy systems. “Smart technologies will also make an immediate impact, enabling users to better manage energy demand at a time of high inflation.” A focus on smart energy follows numerous recent advancements in the green growth sector in the Midlands. The region was recently chosen to host the West Burton STEP fusion project and has been moving forward with its plans for a hydrogen technologies valley. These are all underpinned by the Midlands Engine’s ten-point plan for green growth, which has set out a roadmap for a 36% reduction in CO2 emissions from 2020 levels, while generating £24.2 billion GVA for the region’s economy by 2041.North Lincolnshire Business Centre snapped up in £14m acquisition run
A North Lincolnshire Business Centre has been bought by property investment and development company, Hurstwood Holdings in Manchester.
The Queensway Business Centre in Scunthorpe was previously owned by by Dean Property Group, and the recently Refurbished centre boasts 20,820 sq ft comprising 33 offices from 168 sq ft.
Hurstwood Holdings has added the hub to its portfolio as part of a recent £14 million acquisition run in recent weeks, taking its total spend on new properties this year to £35m.
In addition to the Queensway Business centre, the company has completed the purchase of five additional industrial and office properties, nationwide, which include:
- Vision Park in Peterborough: Six modern warehouses totalling 15,037 sq ft and set to undergo a refurbishment, providing flexible leasehold accommodation from 1,150-6,781 sq ft.
- Fraser House in Ipswich: A 16,409 sq ft multi-let office building on Museum Street in the town centre where Hurstwood already owns another building. The prominently located, period building is fully let to Savills (UK) Limited, Peopleplus, Netscout, Attwells and Brewin Dolphin.
- Bridge of Don Industrial Estate in Aberdeen: Comprising six warehouse units, totalling 30,470 sq ft and fully let with occupiers including Andrews Hydrographics.
- Mandale Triangle in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees: A 30,656 sq ft industrial building that is part vacant and part let to a Gym company.
- Kings Court in North Shields: Situated close to the town centre, this two-storey modern office building totals 78,577 sq ft, the majority of which is let as a courthouse to the Secretary of State, which has been in occupation for more than 20 years.
IDT achieves landmark carbon neutral accreditation
Ilkeston-based managed service provider IDT has achieved a significant environmental milestone – a whole two months ahead of schedule.IDT has been verified with Carbon Neutral + accreditation, which means the company is offsetting 25% more carbon than it is producing.The landmark marks a sustained, year-long effort by IDT to lessen its carbon footprint. The company has also started the process of changing its vehicle fleet to a complete EV and Plug-in Hybrids. This will be complete in the next six months.Other environmental work has included investing in the IDT head office, replacing the legacy lighting with up-to-date energy efficient LEDs throughout, as well as the expensive and inefficient electric office heating with air conditioning. IDT has also installed the latest roof insulation technology.IDT is also educating its staff by doing the simple, important things like turning off lights in rooms that are not used and unused equipment.Luke Draper, Managing Director of IDT, said: “For IDT, being sustainable is a priority for myself and co-founder James Cartwright, not because of how it is viewed or commercial pressure – but because it’s the right thing to do. Of course, our clients care that we’re carbon neutral. But if they didn’t, we still would be doing this.“As an IT MSP it’s going to sound silly, but we have actually reduced the amount of IT equipment we run and replaced old hardware with newer energy efficient upgrades. Having been completely cloud-based for the past three years we ensure our cloud partners who we use share the same ethos as us.“From a personal point of view I have two young boys and ensuring I am doing everything I can to lessen the impact my business has on our world and set an example for them is really important to me.”Luke says that IDT’s staff have reacted positively to the initiative.He added: “This is exactly what we hoped for as we are now classified as a Carbon Neutral + organisation. Working closely with carbonfootprint.com there were many different carbon offsetting projects, but we decided it would be nice to put back into the local area so we this year have backed the UK Tree Planting project and specifically focussed on the East Midlands.“Now that we have drawn a line in the sand and had it verified where we are today as a business, my plan is to year on year try to reduce and improve our impact on the world around us.”
Revenues soar at Leicester-headquartered luxury watch retailer
Leicester-headquartered luxury watch and jewellery group, Watches of Switzerland, has seen revenues soar in the first half of 2022 with a 31% increase in watch sales and 38% increase in jewellery sales taking group revenues to £765m.
Brian Duffy, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased to report another quarter of strong trading driven by broad based sales growth across our portfolio of world leading partner brands. Demand remained strong through the quarter and continues to exceed supply, with client registration lists extending as consumers respond to innovative new products, impactful marketing and elevated client service.
“The first half of the year has been a busy period of new showroom openings – including five showrooms at the iconic Battersea Power Station in London and additional mono-brand boutiques across the UK, US and now Europe – together with showroom refurbishments as we continue to invest to elevate the luxury experience for our clients.
“Our strong H1 performance underpins our full year guidance, which we have upgraded to reflect the benefit of foreign exchange movements. Looking ahead, we remain confident in our Long Range Plan objectives, supported by a strong pipeline of expansionary projects as we continue with our strategy of investing for growth.”
The Watches of Switzerland Group Foundation has now also approved charitable donations of £2.7 million to continue to support disadvantaged communities in both the UK and USVision for Grimsby town centre regeneration to go before planners
Plans for the transformation of Grimsby’s Riverhead Square in the town centre, next to the troubled Freshney Place shopping centre, will go before councillors at the Cabinet meeting next week.
The new design for the area, drawn up by Arup Landscape Design, incorporate input from local people through public consultation and, if approved, will be funded as one of the projects included in the Town Deal, with funding that was secured in 2020 and ring fenced for specific projects.
Public sentiment seems to point to “more green spaces and places to relax” and “social space around the water” and these comments helped create the vision for the revamped public area.
Councillors will consider the plans at next weeks cabinet meeting.
400 jobs lost as Next completes deal on e-commerce firm
Leicester-based retailer Next have snapped up troubled e-commerce company Made.com from administrators for an undisclosed sum.
The transaction however does not include its 600 strong workforce, many of whom are to be let go. Administrators state: “This [the deal] will sadly result in 320 redundancies across the business. In addition 79 employees who had resigned and were working their notice have been released with immediate effect. ”
Zelf Hussain, Rachael Wilkinson and Peter Dickens of PwC had been appointed as joint administrators of Made.com Design Ltd. The appointment was made as the high-value retail sector continues to be exposed to the current testing economic conditions.
Made.com is a British e-commerce company based in London that designs and sells furniture and home accessories online. The business has 573 permanent employees, with warehouses in the UK and Belgium, alongside offices and showrooms in London, Europe and Vietnam.
On appointment, the joint administrators completed a sale of the brand, website and intellectual property of Made.com to Next Retail Limited.
This transaction represents the best option available to generate returns for creditors as a whole, under severely limited timescales.
Close to 4500 customer orders in the UK and Europe which are already with carriers are being delivered. However, a large proportion of customer orders are still at origin in the Far East at various stages of production. Due to the impact of the business entering administration, these items cannot be completed and shipped to customers.
Zelf Hussain, joint administrator and partner, PwC, said: “The company is a casualty of the headwinds being faced by all retailers, but more heavily by those selling big-ticket products. A combination of factors including significant decline in consumer spending from cost of living pressures, rising import costs and continuing supply chain pressures has meant the business could no longer continue.
“It is with real regret that redundancies will need to be made. We would like to thank all the employees for their hard work. We will continue to support those affected at this difficult time, including assisting the HR team’s efforts to secure staff new roles. A small number of employees have been retained to support the orderly closure of the business.”
Nicola Thompson, Leo of Made.com said: “I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone – customers, employees, supplier partners, shareholders and all other stakeholders – impacted as a result of the business going into administration.
“Over the past months we have fought tooth and nail to rapidly re-size the cost base, re-engineer the sourcing and stock model, and try every possible avenue to raise fresh financing and avoid this outcome.
“Made is a much loved brand that was highly successful and well adapted, over many years, to a world of low inflation, stable consumer demand, reliable and cost efficient global supply chains and limited geo-political volatility.
“That world vanished, the business could not survive in its current iteration, and we could not pivot fast enough. The brand will now continue under new owners. I hope that a reconfigured Made will prove to be sustainable and will continue to be loved by customers.”
Rachael Wilkinson, joint administrator and director, PwC, added: “We understand those who have paid for products will be really concerned about receiving their items. The administration means many orders unfortunately cannot be fulfilled.”
Well-known truckers’ café changes hands
A well-known Northamptonshire restaurant used by truckers and motorists has changed hands in a freehold deal.
Jacks Hill Café and Truck Stop, at Watling Street, Towcester, was acquired by a private investor for an undisclosed sum in a competitive bidding situation, said Eamon Kennedy, executive partner and head of agency at Kirkby Diamond.
The prominent roadside site, which extends to 1.74-acres, has an extensive parking area which was previously used as a lorry park for up to 50 units and trailers. The site sits on the A5.
After acquiring the property on behalf of a longstanding client, Kirkby Diamond has now been appointed to market the property on a leasehold basis.
Eamon said: “Our client was very keen to acquire the Jacks Hill Café site as it presents a number of development opportunities, subject to planning. We were very pleased to conclude the deal on their behalf in a competitive bidding situation.
“The site has already attracted a lot of occupier interest due to its excellent location. Towcester is growing rapidly, with a planned residential extension to the south of the town. Work is also underway to create a bypass which will filter traffic around the town centre and unlock further expansion of the town.
“The site offers a wonderful business opportunity for companies that may be considering establishing or expanding their commercial operations.”
Precision People makes head of technical promotion
Precision People has promoted Anand Kakkad to head of technical.
Anand joined Precision People, based at the Meridian Business Park, in September 2018 as a team leader of the Maintenance division. Within fourteen months he built the team from two to six consultants, taking new recruits into high performers, and as a result, was promoted to divisional manager of the Technical Perm team.
Director Phil Walker said: “Anand manages the team how most managers don’t; which is by empowering, leading, and coaching, whilst working the hard yards himself. He also takes the time to have an interest in his people’s success and well-being. This makes him the most successful manager Precision has seen.”
This year, under his leadership, the Technical team of Permanent & Contract recruitment has created six promotions, progressing two senior recruiters into managing consultants and building a team with them.
Anand said: “After working at three different recruitment companies, I can firmly say at Precision People, we do things differently. Every business strategy is about people development and achieving individual and business goals together as a family.
“The next steps and progression are at the forefront of every conversation with our recruiters and managers. Without the support of Precision People as a whole, and my record-breaking team, none of this would be possible.”
Phil added: “At Precision, we hold progression at the top of our people development, every consultant has clear steps with measurables to get to the next level in their career, reviewed with them monthly.
“With a record-breaking year this year, we are well on course to grow the team by double within the next three years to forty people. To achieve that we need to have the right culture that champions progression. Those that make it into the management roles needed will benefit hugely both in their career and personally with rewards that are unique to Precision.”
