East Midlands Pharmaceutical company acquired by counterpart

Steve Fisher
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East Midlands Pharmaceutical company acquired by counterpart

Loughborough-based Morningside Pharmaceuticals has been acquired by UK counterpart Aspire Pharma.

The acquisition includes Morningside Pharmaceuticals (Loughborough), Morningside Healthcare (Leicester) and Morningside Healthcare (India) (together referred to as “Morningside”); privately owned, speciality generic pharmaceutical organisations. Commenting one the acquisition, Tim Brady, Chief Executive Officer, Morningside said: “Aspire’s acquisition of Morningside is validation of the long-term growth plan that the shareholders and management of Morningside Pharmaceuticals and Morningside Healthcare have developed over the past 30 years. The combined company will benefit across several areas, including the realisation of enhanced business development capabilities with over 120 complementary mid and late-stage programs” Richard Condon, Chief Executive Officer of Aspire Pharma added: “We are excited to welcome the Morningside team to the Aspire family. This is a transformative opportunity for both companies to expand and enhance our position as a result of both companies highly complementary product portfolios. The combination will create one of the largest and fastest growing UK pharma companies and see further accelerated growth potential in our current and future product portfolio, in the UK and internationally. Our commitment remains with our team, patients, and our partners in the NHS and beyond, to ensure a smooth integration of businesses”    Respective organisations will continue to operate as standalone businesses until further integration and transition announcements are made. Aspire is present in the generics, speciality generics, branded medicines, and medical device sectors. Aspire’s investors include founder Graham Fraser-Pye; Juno Pharmaceuticals, a global pharma specialist organisation spanning four continents, focussing on niche differentiated products and H.I.G. Capital, a leading global alternative investment firm with over $50 billion* of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta in the USA, as well as international affiliate offices in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.    

Sofware provider secures funding from MEIF Maven Debt Finance

Steve Fisher
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Sofware provider secures funding from MEIF Maven Debt Finance
Nottingham-based Retail Assist has secured a funding package from MEIF Maven Debt Finance which is part of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund and managed by Maven Capital Partners, is aimed at smaller and medium-sized enterprises across the region that have high growth potential. Retail Assist provides award-winning IT and software solutions to leading brands in the retail and hospitality sectors. Established in 1999, the business offers a full range of managed services, including service desk support, desktop support, full IT outsourcing, cyber security services, retail systems support, project management services, technical services, and operations support. Clients include well-known brands such as Pizza Hut, Morrisons, Ted Baker, Vue Cinemas, and Harvey Nichols. Retail Assist will use the funding to maximise its opportunities to grow the business further, investing in new services and technologies, reach more clients, and capitalise on additional opportunities with existing retail partners. The UK retail industry is a significant contributor to the UK economy, employing over 3 million people. Estimates place the total value of last year’s retail sales at more than £420 billion, highlighting the importance of well-integrated and protected IT infrastructure as retail business moves increasingly online. Retailers’ need for experienced IT providers, capable of supporting them to streamline their user experience and fulfil customer demand, will therefore only increase in the long term. Richard Brighty, Investment Manager for Maven said: “Retail Assist presents a fantastic growth opportunity. Retail Assist have developed a market leading innovative suite of software solutions combined with a large UK team providing development and support services. The business is well positioned to benefit from the upturn in the retail industry following a challenging period during Covid-19. Maven’s investment follows on from additional investment from the Foresight Nottingham Fund, which initially supported the company in 2017.” Kevin Greathead, Managing Director for Retail Assist, adds: “As a retail and hospitality specialist, Retail Assist has been providing IT managed support services to the retail and hospitality community for over 23 years, now supporting almost 40 established retailers and brands. Our objective is to deliver services through an experienced, UK-based team who are passionate about shifting the dial on user experience. Our relationship with Maven will allow us to invest further to maximise opportunities to grow the business, introduce new technology solutions and reach new customers and markets. We see very exciting times ahead.” Lewis Stringer, Senior Manager UK Network at the British Business Bank said: “Innovative technology companies, such as Retail Assist, provide essential services for businesses globally. MEIF is committed to supporting such companies and unlocking growth opportunities for them. Other Midlands-based companies with similar potential for scaling should consider the finance options available from MEIF.” Will Morlidge, Chief Executive at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership added: “I’m delighted that Retail Assist is being supported by MEIF. We know that growing the digital capability of all sectors of the economy is vital to promote sustainable economic growth, and the retail sector is no different. We’re investing heavily in digital skills precisely so our area can provide the talent that ambitious businesses such as Retail Assist will need to keep on growing.”  

New high profile non-exec chair for law firm

Steve Fisher
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New high profile non-exec chair for law firm
Law firm Browne Jacobson has appointed leading General Counsel (GC), Anneliese Reinhold as the first Non-Executive Chair of its corporate sectoral strategy board, the first of several sector-driven appointments. Working closely with partner Declan Cushley who leads the firm’s corporate sector market group, Anneliese will bring strategic commercial, regulatory, legal and governance expertise to support the firm and its lawyers in driving the firm’s corporate sector strategy. Anneliese, who qualified as a corporate lawyer in Australia in 1989, has worked with a diverse client base that includes start-ups, high growth businesses, large global listed and non-listed companies, spanning across Europe, the Middle East, USA and Australasia both as a General Counsel and a City law firm Partner. She is the former Chairman of the global Board of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), the world’s largest in-house counsel organization (45,000 members in 85 countries), until August this year was the most senior female executive of leading multi-billion turnover telecoms operator, du; is a founding investor and member of the Investment Committee at specialist tech ‘Micro-VC’, Dubai Angel Investors; and is also a Member of Council for the Institute of Directors (IOD); and member of the advisory Board at the high growth Legaltech startup App4Legal. She is described as a ‘bastion for diversity’ by The Legal 500’s GC Powerlist: Middle East, has been profiled as the one of the Middle East & Africa’s 20 leading women in the ICT sector, and has featured in LegalEra’s definitive guide, World’s Best General Counsel. This appointment endorses the firm’s commitment to making the legal profession more diverse and inclusive. It also follows on from its official partnership with O Shaped in May 2022, an innovative movement with a mission to drive positive change within the legal sector. In 2021, the firm also launched its revolutionary FAIRE (Fairer Access into Real Experience) initiative which aimed to change the way law firms recruit future talent and grow an industry-wide culture of inclusivity. FAIRE aims to support social mobility, offering students equal access to work experience that can pave the way for a career in the legal sector. It led to the firm being named the UK’s number one social mobility employer. Speaking on the appointment, Declan Cushley, said: “We are delighted to have someone with Anneliese’s wealth of experience join us. “Anneliese’s appointment and the future NED appointments reflect our commitment to re-think the traditional lawyer/client relationship. Anneliese and our other NEDs will help challenge our approach, supporting and influencing change.” Browne Jacobson senior partner, Caroline Green added: “Anneliese’s track record as a senior board member is impressive and inspiring. We have worked hard over the past few years to build a more inclusive culture within our business and beyond, so it is fantastic to welcome Anneliese to our business sector board as well as three further female Non Executives in the near future.” On joining Browne Jacobson, Anneliese commented: “Browne Jacobson have an excellent reputation for going the extra mile for their clients and for giving clear high quality legal advice on complex projects, but they are also a firm who have a real appetite for innovation and doings things differently. They recognise the need for the legal landscape to change and become more relevant to their clients and the sectors they serve; they are well versed in delivering advice to their clients in a pragmatic and straightforward way, but they are also recognised experts in those sectors too. I am excited to be supporting the firm in developing their approach.”

Construction company fined £80,000 after worker falls through fragile roof

Tess Egginton
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Construction company fined £80,000 after worker falls through fragile roof
A construction company from Leicestershire has been fined £80,000 after an employee suffered serious injuries falling through a fragile roof. An employee of Cairns Heritage Homes Limited was carrying out a repair to the roof of Nottingham Recycling Limited on 1 August 2019 when he fell approximately 7m to the floor below. A scaffold tower had been constructed for access to the roof but there were inadequate measures in place to ensure that the work would be completed safely. The worker accessed the roof, attempting to devise his own ad-hoc working methods which included constructing a makeshift ladder/staging system from wooden planks. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Cairns Heritage Homes Limited had been contracted to repair the roof of the recycling plant while a ‘bailing machine’ was not being used. Serious deficiencies in the planning and supervision of this work were identified together with the absence of a safe system of work. There were insufficient measures to prevent a fall or minimise the distance or consequences of a fall such as safety netting. The makeshift staging provided by the employee was insufficient and failed to prevent a fall through the fragile roof panels resulting in them sustaining serious injuries. Cairns Heritage Homes Limited, of Rectory Place, Old Parsonage Lane, Hoton, Loughborough, Leicestershire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,981 at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 28 September 2022. Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Philip Gratton said: “Work on fragile roofs accounts for around a fifth of all fatal incidents that occur in the construction industry. “Those in control of work on fragile roofs and other work at height have a responsibility to devise safe methods of work and to provide the necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision of their workers. “If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to this incident, the life-changing injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented.”

Howes Percival recommended for 23 different legal specialisms in The Legal 500

Steve Fisher
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Howes Percival recommended for 23 different legal specialisms in The Legal 500
The 2023 edition of The Legal 500 – the authoritative guide to the UK’s leading law firms – has recommended Howes Percival for 23 different legal specialisms and awarded the firm top tier ranking for 10. The guide, which is based on independent research, interviews and feedback from clients about the service they receive from firms and lawyers, also recognises the UK’s leading lawyers – 77 Howes Percival lawyers received specific mentions in this year’s directory. Howes Percival has achieved top tier rankings for:
  • Corporate and Commercial
  • Dispute Resolution – Commercial Litigation
  • Dispute Resolution – Debt Recovery
  • Finance – Insolvency and Corporate Recovery
  • Human Resources – Employment
  • Private Client – Tax, Trusts and Probate
  • Real Estate – Commercial Property
  • Real Estate – Environment & Planning
  • Real Estate – Property litigation
  • Intellectual Property
12 further Howes Percival specialisms are recommended in the guide; Agriculture and Estates, Banking and Finance, Charities and Not for Profit, Construction, Contentious Trusts and Probate, Family, Licensing, Public Sector, IT and Telecoms, Media and Entertainment, Health and Safety, and Social Housing. The Legal 500 highlights individuals who have received constant praise from their clients for continued excellence.  23 Howes Percival lawyers are recognised by the legal directory as ‘leading individuals’, with nine Partners achieving ‘Hall of Fame’ status – Paula Bailey (Employment), Steven Beach (Commercial Property), Geraint Davies (Litigation and Insolvency), Gerald Couldrake (Corporate and Commercial), Tessa Haskey (Commercial Property), Michaela Henson (Commercial Property), Graham Irons (Employment), Catherine Scott (Agriculture and Estates) and Matthew Talbot (Intellectual Property). Howes Percival’s clients range from individuals and families to global businesses and government departments. Over the last 12 months the firm has seen its market share increase across all of its UK offices and has invested in a nationwide expansion programme, with close to 100 new recruits appointed in that period. Commenting on the firm’s rankings Howes Percival’s Chairman, Geraint Davies, said; “I’m delighted with this set of rankings and recommendations, which recognise our core strengths and reflect the ongoing investment we’ve made in our people and their development in recent years. We have expanded our expertise across all of our service lines and are committed to growing and investing in each of our locations. Howes Percival’s culture and the calibre of work we undertake allow us to attract top talent which, alongside our commitment to our training programme creates an unbeatable team.”  

Derbyshire in talks with government for investment zone

Tess Egginton
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Derbyshire in talks with government for investment zone
Derbyshire County Council is in discussions with the government about establishing an investment zone in Derbyshire to encourage investment, support economic growth and create jobs. It is one of 38 local authorities which have expressed an interest in establishing an investment zone to drive business growth and speed up development. Areas hosting investment zones will benefit from:
  • lower taxes – businesses in designated sites will benefit from time-limited tax benefits including 100% business rates relief on newly occupied and expanded premises; full stamp duty land tax relief on land bought for commercial or residential development; and a zero rate for Employer National Insurance contributions on new employee earnings up to £50,270 per year. Councils hosting investment zones will receive 100% of the business rates growth above an agreed baseline in designated sites for 25 years.
  • accelerated development – there will be designated development sites to both release more land for housing and commercial development, and to support accelerated development. The need for planning applications will be minimised and where planning applications remain necessary, they will be radically streamlined. Development sites may be co-located with, or separate to, tax sites, depending on what makes most sense for the local economy.
  • wider support for local growth – subject to demonstrating readiness, mayoral combined authorities hosting investment zones will receive a single local growth settlement.
Councillor Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council and cabinet member for strategic leadership, culture, tourism and climate change, said: “We have a number of potential sites in Derbyshire which we believe would be good candidates for an Investment Zone and we welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with government. “While the selection criteria to become an Investment Zone and the process for designating sites within it hasn’t yet been announced, we’ve submitted an initial expression of interest. “We’re pleased government has confirmed that Investment Zones would not impact on existing protections for the environment which are set out in law through the Environment Act and we look forward to understanding more about how they could benefit our businesses and boost the local economy. “As the plans develop, we’ll work closely with the relevant district and borough councils in Derbyshire, as well as landowners and businesses within potential Investment Zones in the county, to bring forward investment and economic growth which will benefit the whole of Derbyshire.”

Oblix Living acquires Leicester former HMRC building

Michael Fisher
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Oblix Living acquires Leicester former HMRC building
Build to rent specialist Oblix Living has purchased the former HMRC tax offices from Mapeley in its first venture in the city. The 89,000 square foot vacant building is set to be transformed into new homes with planning approval for 100 one and two bed apartments granted in August 2021. Oblix Living is looking at options to re-design the scheme to meet current building regulations and also bring in amenities, such as a gym, residents’ lounge, workspace, car parking and a landscaped garden. The Saxon House building on Causeway Lane sits opposite the High Cross shopping centre in the heart of Leicester and on the doorstep of the city’s bustling leisure scene. Rishi Passi, CEO, Oblix Living said: “At Oblix Living we’re looking to fill a gap in the private rental market, providing well-specified homes with the amenities that people want, but without pushing prices up beyond most people’s reach. “We’re going to need to re-design the existing plans for the site to meet changes in building regulations, but this also gives us the opportunity to create communal spaces for residents including a lounge, workspace and gym. “This site benefits from a location right in the heart of the city, within walking distance to shops, restaurants and bars and good transport links. We see it appealing to young professionals looking for a well-designed apartment alongside communal spaces where they can socialise or work from home.” Founded in 2020, Oblix Living is already on site in Sheffield with 95 apartments under construction at Iron Yard and is actively targeting other towns and cities across the UK. Taking a service-led approach, Oblix Living is creating homes for professionals seeking flexibility, security and amenities fit for modern day living.

Latest feats from Chesterfield’s Proact IT tackles tally raised for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice to £14,000

Michael Fisher
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Latest feats from Chesterfield’s Proact IT tackles tally raised for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice to £14,000
A Chesterfield boss really tested his endurance to raise money for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. Glen Linsell, Operations Director at Proact IT UK on Dunston Technology Park  ran the entire 145-mile length of the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham to London virtually NON-STOP. Glen, 46,  ran for 41 hours – almost two days – to finish the race 37th out of 180 runners and raise a whopping £2,600 in sponsorship for Bluebell Wood. Glen, of Lambley, Nottinghamshire, began setting himself big physical goals when he turned 40. He’s done Ironman Triathlons and Ultra Marathons and had built up enough stamina to run 52 miles when he signed up for the GUCR. “It’s a ‘non-stop’ race; you are disqualified if you stop for more than 40 minutes, so you run through day and night and the odds of completing it, especially as a first-timer, aren’t high,” said Glen. What kept him going were thoughts of the charity he was running for. “Bluebell Wood in North Anston has been our company charity since 2015,” said Glen. “I’ve been lucky enough to volunteer at the hospice on a few occasions and each time I’ve been blown away by the commitment of everyone involved there. “What the staff and parents achieve at Bluebell makes any other accomplishment look pretty pale. They are the perfect inspiration for someone looking for a reason not to give up, as I was a few times during those 41 hours. “At the end of the race I was mostly delirious, hallucinating and in pain, but the reception I got from my friends and family was incredible. I don’t plan on doing it again though!” The Chesterfield staff have donated over £14,000 to Bluebell Wood over the last seven years, including £6,262 already raised in 2022, the fourth time employees have chosen the children’s hospice as their Charity Of The Year. In addition to sponsorship cash from Glen’s big feat, £3,662 has been raised by 30 pairs of feet heading up Kinder Scout in the Peak District. Said Samantha Ambler, HR Director: “Lots of our employees are active walkers so we decided to combine two things we love – a walking challenge to support Bluebell Wood, our Charity Of The Year. “Our employees have a real sense of connection with the hospice. They have enjoyed volunteering days at the hospice and the range of fundraisers they have been involved in over the years is vast. “We are planning more fundraisers during the 2022 World Cup this winter and one of our vans will again be supporting the hospice’s Christmas tree collection service.” Isobel Wells, Bluebell Wood’s Regional Fundraiser (Chesterfield and Derbyshire) commented: “We were amazed when we heard the immense feat Glen did in our name, but then, Proact IT’s entire team has been nothing short of wonderful in their support for us over the last seven years. “We felt honoured when they chose us as their Charity Of The Year again in 2022. “The  hospice needs to raise over £5m each year to be there for local children and families who often have nowhere else to turn, so the continuing loyal support of companies like Proact IT is incredibly important to us.”

BHW achieve tier 1 rankings for both corporate/commercial and commercial property work

Michael Fisher
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BHW achieve tier 1 rankings for both corporate/commercial and commercial property work
Independent Leicester-based law firm, BHW Solicitors, has once again been ranked toe-to-toe with the East Midland’s legal industry heavyweights in the 2023 Legal 500 guide. The specialist commercial law firm’s rankings reflect the tremendous breadth of work it is entrusted with by an ever-growing client base of local business stalwarts and national household names. The Firm has had its most successful listing ever with 5 departmental rankings and 12 individual lawyer recognitions for their standout contribution to their respective practices. The most notable achievements are its Commercial Property department which has been promoted to the top Tier 1 status in the latest guide, while its Corporate/Commercial department has maintained its Tier 1 ranking for the fifth year in a row. The Commercial Litigation department has achieved the fantastic feat of Tier 2 status in its first ever listing. Commercial Litigation head, Paul Davis, also achieved his first Recommended status. Head of Corporate/Commercial, Ed Nurse, and Corporate Partner, Stephen McElhone, once again retained the highest accolade of Leading Individual and Corporate/Commercial Partner, Alex Clifton, received the Next Generation Partner award. BHW’s Commercial Property team received its highest number of Recommended lawyers, with no fewer than 5 individual listings including Eleanor Rattay awarded Next Generation Partner, and Kate Burlinson and Raj Hundal added as Recommended lawyers. BHW was also ranked for its IT & Telecoms and Employment services, including Employment Solicitor, Aimee Johns, awarded Rising Star. The Legal 500 is the leading independent guide to the UK’s legal industry. It conducts an extensive research regime and holds thousands of interviews with law firm clients, lawyers, and professional contacts, to rank the best law firms and solicitors across the Country.

Nottingham trials UK’s first wireless electric taxis

Tess Egginton
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0
Nottingham trials UK’s first wireless electric taxis
Cabbies in Nottingham can now wirelessly charge their electric taxis as part of a pioneering Government-backed trial which underlines the city’s ambitions to become the UK’s first carbon neutral city by 2028. The groundbreaking scheme has seen nine electric hackney cabs retrofitted with the latest, super-efficient wireless charging technology to power local journeys. The public can use the trailblazing new taxis at a specially upgraded rank outside Nottingham Station. Nineteen local taxi drivers have so far volunteered to test a free cab to help Nottingham City Council and its project partners closely monitor the trial and share learnings with the Government to help shape future regulations and delivery of wireless charging projects. This project will help partners discover the advantages and issues of this technology and iron out any problems. Wireless Charging of Electric Taxis (WiCET) is a £3.4 million project funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles through Innovate UK to assess the commercial and technical viability of deploying wireless charging for electric hackney cabs. The City Council secured £930,000 from the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles through Innovate UK for the WiCET project. This is a UK first involving both London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) and Nissan Dynamo electric taxis, placing Nottingham at the forefront of green technology innovation. It is expected that the trial of the wireless charging technology will demonstrate a range of benefits, including:
  • Easy and convenient charging – drivers will be able to start a charge while waiting for passengers by driving over the pad without needing to leave their vehicle
  • Reducing street clutter – no charging cables are required as the wireless charging equipment is built into the road surface
  • Encouraging the adoption of more electric taxis in the city, which will lead to a reduction in emissions and help the city to achieve its 2028 carbon neutral target.
The project is led by Cenex, with partners Coventry University, Hangar-19, Nottingham City Council, Shell Research Limited, Sprint Power and Transport for London, with Lumen Freedom supplying the hardware. Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for highways, transport and parks, councillor Audra Wynter, said: “I’m delighted to see Nottingham’s UK-leading wireless taxis hit the streets. This amazing new technology will make it easy and convenient for taxi drivers to charge their vehicles on-street between passengers and make a big difference in local air quality. “This is another example of Nottingham leading the way in transport innovation, as we lead the country to become carbon neutral by 2028.” Richard Sander, WiCET project manager and technical specialist at Cenex, said: “Wireless charging has the potential for effective deployment across a wide range of applications from public transport to emergency vehicles and mobility solutions, and the results from our research will go on to inform future deployments. “We are extremely proud to be starting the first physical trial of Wireless Charging of taxis in the UK here in Nottingham. This is a big step in understanding and demonstrating the potential of wireless charging as a core technology in the Electric Vehicle transition. “Everyone involved in the project has worked hard behind the scenes to get us to this point, and I’m excited to see the impacts this will have for drivers, passengers and the environment.”
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