New year, new home for Grant Thornton’s Leicester team
Business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP has moved into its new Grade A office space in Leicester at Waterloo House.
The firm moved into its new location on Wednesday 1st February, from where it will provide the regional business community with specialist, sustainable, and community-oriented support.
Grant Thornton’s new site will ensure that the firm’s Leicester team has an agile space tailored to contemporary working requirements. Previously based at the nearby Regent House, Grant Thornton selected Waterloo House for its high-quality specification, green credentials and collaborative working facilities.
The new location also coincides with the appointment of Phil Sayers as East Midlands practice leader for the firm. Phil has a comprehensive understanding of the local business landscape and community, having joined the Grant Thornton team in Leicester in 2012.
Phil has played a key role in ensuring the office fit-out has carefully considered the needs of the team. This means that it features the latest technology to enable flexible working and collaboration, recognising the important role office space plays in the firm’s hybrid-working model.
Helping the firm’s presence grow across the whole of the East Midlands region and developing the team will be key aspects of Phil’s new role.
Phil Sayers, practice leader at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “We are motivated to develop and support our people, giving them the best tools, expertise and working-environment required to reach their full potential.”
Waterloo House ensures that employees and clients are provided with the optimum working environment. It provides employees with a mixture of desks, breakout areas, soundproofed phone booths, quiet and social working areas, and technology-enabled meeting rooms. A large, drop-down screen will also allow speakers to remotely present to the entire office when required.
The new office also includes a designated wellness area as well as prayer room.
Phil Sayers added: “This move not only illustrates Grant Thornton’s promise to provide the very best for our talented teams, with an office designed to reflect the needs of our people, but it also exemplifies the firm’s commitment to Leicester’s vibrant business landscape.
“The East Midlands is a hive of entrepreneurial companies. The whole team is looking forward to utilising this new office to connect in ever more innovative and supportive ways with the region’s business leaders in order to help them achieve their ambitions.”
Located on Princess Road, Waterloo House will provide Grant Thornton with 3,500 sq ft of office space.
Flex office operator targets significant growth with four new sites
Cubo, the flex office operators, has announced plans to open four new sites by the end of Q2 2023.
The privately owned boutique operator currently operates in Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham, Leeds and Sheffield and plans to almost double its footprint over the coming months.
As part of the company’s aggressive growth plans, prime locations in Edinburgh and Manchester have been identified and selected, alongside additional sites in Birmingham and Nottingham, where it already operates.
Plans are now underway to launch in each of those core cities by the summer.
Cubo was launched in 2020 and is rapidly establishing itself as a key provider of high-end flex office and co-working space in the Midlands and Yorkshire.
The company, which was launched by property investors Marc and Rebecca Brough, provides an experience-led lifestyle offer to meet the changing needs of businesses – from hot desking to a designated desk, private office, or entire floor, all available on flexible terms.
Member benefits include large communal spaces, private areas, break-out spaces, kitchens, an inclusive barista service with beer on tap, along with a programme of free networking events.
These latest expansion plans come at a time where the flex office market is experiencing unprecedented growth with demand for serviced space growing by 25% in 2022 alone.
Commenting on Cubo’s expansion plans, Marc Brough, CEO of Cubo, said: “After enjoying a hugely successful 2022, we have taken the decision to accelerate our expansion plans to meet the growing needs of both existing members and other corporate occupiers who have committed to work with Cubo as the business grows a nationwide platform.
“Whilst we are currently working on the launch of four new workspaces, we are also earmarking other provincial cities where we want Cubo to have a presence and more announcements will be made in due course.
“Cubo is a becoming a highly sought after space for many businesses because of its unique way of working and opportunities. We look forward to capturing more of the market for hybrid working in 2023 and beyond.”
All change at the top of Central Technology
Chesterfield IT company Central Technology has restructured its board team with Rob Longden taking over from Ian Snow as MD, freeing up Ian to move into a newly-created CEO position.
Central Technology has achieved consistent year on year growth over the last 12 years and this change will enable that growth to further accelerate in line with current targets.
Rob has been with the company for six years within the sales, operations and service delivery teams, most recently as Commercial Director. He has more than 30 years’ IT industry experience within both SME and corporate sectors developing, implementing and managing service delivery teams, ITIL frameworks and driving service excellence through process and operational controls.
Ian’s move to a full-time CEO role will see him focus on the strategic development of the business and ensuring the exceptionally high levels of customer service are maintained. This new role will draw on his past experience at Deloitte and as a Director at two high growth, market leading lift installation and maintenance businesses.
Ian said: “Our goal was always to get CT into a position where Rob could take over as Managing Director and use his vast industry knowledge to help the business achieve its full potential.”
Canadian software giant swoops for Derby firm
Bank of England raises interest rates to highest level in over 14 years
The Bank of England has started February by raising the base rate from 3.5% to 4%. Marking the 10th consecutive hike in interest rates, to their highest level in over 14 years, it comes as part of a continued approach to reduce inflation, but this is not without significant side-effects and further pressure for many small businesses.
Those impacted most by the decision will be mortgage holders and businesses reliant on debt to keep afloat after three years of economic shocks, as noted by David Bharier, head of research at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). He added: “Our research shows that while inflation remains by far and away the top concern for businesses with 80% citing this in Q4 2022, concern about interest rates has risen sharply with 43% now citing this. With the Bank expecting inflation to slow to around 4% by the end of the year, further rate rises could now simply add to the risk of a deeper recession, outweighing the benefits.
“The main driver of inflation for most firms is energy costs, but this requires a clear policy solution, with immediate relief for those most affected and longer-term structural changes to ensure this market failure does not occur again. Businesses will also need to see concrete action in the upcoming Budget to promote growth, including plans on infrastructure, tax, skills, and trade.”
The rise comes as the Bank of England now expects a recession in the UK to be shorter and shallower than previously anticipated.
Cost of late tax payments will rise later this month
Making late tax payments to HMRC will get more expensive later this month as the organisation reacts to the Bank of England’s MPC decision to hike interest rate to 4%.
Late payment interest is set at base rate plus 2.5%. Repayment interest is set at base rate minus 1%, with a lower limit – or ‘minimum floor’ – of 0.5%.
These changes will come into effect on 13 February for quarterly instalment payments, and on 21 February 2023 for non-quarterly instalments payments.
A spokesman for HMRC said: “The differential between late payment interest and repayment interest is in line with the policy of other tax authorities worldwide, and compares favourably with commercial practice for interest charged on loans or overdrafts and interest paid on deposits.
“The rate of late payment interest encourages prompt payment and ensures fairness for those who pay their tax on time, while the rate of repayment interest fairly compensates taxpayers for loss of use of their money when they overpay.”
House of Lords ceremony celebrates opening of Nuclear Skills Academy in Derby
Rolls-Royce and the Nuclear AMRC have celebrated the launch of a first-of-a-kind Nuclear Skills Academy at an event in the House of Lords.
More than 150 representatives from Parliament and industry attended to hear how the British engineering firm is investing in the nuclear experts of the future to sustain nuclear capability within the UK’s submarines programme by creating a dedicated pipeline of talent at the start of their careers.
Based in Derby’s former iHub building, the Nuclear Skills Academy is supported by industry and education experts, including the University of Derby, Nuclear AMRC, National College for Nuclear and Derby City Council. This ensures new apprentices have access to the best courses and mentors throughout their apprenticeship.
The launch was supported by Keith Beckett, technical director and deputy CEO of the Submarine Delivery Agency, and Rolls-Royce apprentices, who shared their initial experiences of the academy, the nuclear industry and the benefits of the apprentice route.
Steve Carlier, President of Rolls-Royce Submarines, said: “We were thrilled by the levels of interest in these apprenticeships and the enthusiasm shown by our first intake of students. It highlights how attractive a career in the nuclear sector really is. With the growing demand for clean, carbon-free energy and with our submarines contracts with the MoD likely to sustain us into the next century, this could be a job for life for our new apprentices.
“Having started with Rolls-Royce as an apprentice myself and being born and bred in Derby, the launch to the Nuclear Skills Academy is especially exciting for me. I’m delighted that we are leading the way in developing nuclear talent for the submarines enterprise and proud that it will all be done in Derby.”
The Nuclear Skills Academy has the funding to provide 200 apprentices each year for a decade, with nuclear education across four different courses. The support of key industry organisations and MPs in driving the project forward has been invaluable for Rolls-Royce.
Andrew Storer from the Nuclear AMRC said: “We need to work together to tackle skills shortages which affect the whole nuclear sector. The organisations backing the Nuclear Skills Academy will ensure that apprentices have the best training and support and develop the skills to deliver the UK’s commitments for low-carbon power and national security. As a former Derby apprentice, I am very proud that we are helping set a new standard for training which could be rolled out across the sector.”
Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby, said: “Equipping the future workforce with the skills and knowledge required to assure a pipeline of talent into the nuclear industry is crucial; the University is delighted to be playing a key role in this.
“Derby is a city at the cutting edge of engineering and manufacturing, with an internationally renowned reputation as a centre for industrial innovation. The Academy will further strengthen this and is set to be a game-changer in how we respond, at pace, to the evolving skills needs of the country.”
PM Law Group acquires Derby law firm John M Lewis & Co
The PM Law Group has acquired John M Lewis & Co – a law firm specialising in residential conveyancing, wills, trusts and probate.
The business will continue to trade under the John M Lewis & Co name and remain at their offices on Vernon Street near Derby City centre and will offer a new, wider range of complementary legal services as part of the PM Law Group’s national law firm practices. This will include personal injury, employment and civil litigation/dispute resolution services.
Since PM’s launch in 1989, the business has built a strong reputation for providing specialist legal services to private individuals and families, as well as businesses, landlords and property developers and the acquisition of John M Lewis & Co complements the national reach with local, customer-centric face-to-face services that customers continue to want and need.
PM Law Group CEO Jon Bostock says: “We are really pleased to be able to bring the John M Lewis & Co team into the PM Law Business Group family of businesses. They stood out to us because of the quality of the service that they provide, which has been recognised by the awards they have won.
“We hope to be able to complement and build upon this with our additional range of services as well as tech know-how, which allows us to offer services to customers however they wish – both digitally and locally.“We continue to look to expand our business with either acquisitions or joint ventures in localities we have so far not reached to and through our broad reach have devised models to try and help those firms by reducing their regulatory burden whilst allowing them to keep their independence. We’ve partnered with other firms this way and it’s working very well for all parties so we’re on the lookout for more.”
John M Lewis senior partner Lisa Wills says: “We’re delighted to join the PM Law Group. It was very important to us that we could still build and retain close relationships with our clients and retain that degree of independence. We’re well-known locally so keeping our existing brand name is a big positive for our clients and staff. I’m very optimistic about our prospects and opportunities for 2023 and beyond.”
With its head office and several partner law firms already in Yorkshire, the move into Derbyshire helps broaden the Group’s footprint.
PPC expert joins Nottingham digital agency
A Nottingham digital marketing agency has added an experienced pay-per-click expert to its team – and says it plans to make two more appointments as industry confidence grows.
PPC agency Repeat Digital, based in Bramley Road, Long Eaton, has appointed Layton Weatherall as paid media account manager, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of multiple campaigns including paid search and search engine optimisation strategies.
Layton, who has worked in the industry for seven years, including at website providers GoDaddy, is the first of three appointments which the agency plans to make this year as it seeks to grow its services and client base.
The move to appoint three new starters follows a positive start to the year for Repeat, which has begun 2023 in fine form with new client wins and, as a result, is feeling upbeat about the next 12 months.
And its increase in confidence is mirrored across the industry in the wake of the recent influential Q4 IPA Bellwether Report, which said that, despite fears of the UK entering a recession – when companies traditionally trim their marketing budgets – the amount of money spent on marketing rose by 2.2% in the last quarter of last year.
Rob Sherwood, commercial director at Repeat Digital, said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Layton to Repeat Digital. He brings with him a huge amount of experience, especially in an account management role, and his ability to liaise with clients is really important for us.
“There is no doubt that he is a strong addition to our team and we are now looking to recruit two more team members. There was a dip in confidence at the end of last year, but there is a real bounce-back feeling in the industry now and we’re feeling upbeat about this year.”
Layton said: “I am thrilled to have joined Repeat Digital. I am very excited to be part of such a great team and to have the opportunity to work alongside some brilliant minds.
“I’m looking forward to continuing the fantastic work we do for our clients and I really appreciate having been made so welcome over the last few weeks.”
Airport partners with SignLive to offer British Sign Language option
East Midlands Airport has joined forces with the online interpreting service SignLive to provide Deaf customers with interpretation in British Sign Language when using and contacting the airport.
The new service enables customers who want to communicate in BSL to connect via video with a certified interpreter who can provide two-way translation between the customer and an airport team member.
Customers can log-on to the SignLive app on iOS, Android, or a web browser, and find East Midlands Airport in the Community Directory to use the service.
Mike Grimes, Director of Customer Services and Security, said: “We want all passengers to enjoy their experience of travelling through EMA, and no one should ever feel excluded from accessing any of our services or facilities. We’re delighted to announce the introduction of the SignLive app, which will help our Deaf passengers and is another illustration of our commitment to removing all barriers to travel.”
Christiane Link, chair of EMA’s Accessibility Advisory Group, said: “Being able to use BSL when communicating with the airport team will enhance the customer experience of Deaf customers using East Midlands Airport. It’s one of many initiatives the airport implements after consulting with the advisory group and listening to its disabled customers.”
British Sign Language is a visual language using gestures, facial expressions, and body language. Sign Language is used mainly by Deaf people. According to the census 2021 data, the areas near East Midlands Airport have the highest percentage of people with BSL as their main language across England and Wales. The Royal School for the Deaf is situated in Derby, and Derby has an active Deaf community.
