Simon Peacock, investment director at LDC, added: “LDC’s track record of supporting companies to realise their potential and grow at scale speaks for itself. Coming from an advisor background, I’m looking forward to having more of a role in the decision-making process and, as a long-term Nottingham resident myself, am excited to play a part in helping local management teams to achieve their ambitions.”
LDC further expands East Midlands team
Mid-market private equity firm LDC has grown its team in the East Midlands and East of England with the appointment of Simon Peacock as investment director and Mikayil Salahov as investment manager.
Simon joins LDC following more than 15 years at Alantra, an investment banking and asset management firm focusing on the mid-market. As a partner there, he advised companies on both a regional and sector basis, including consumer, industrials and business services, to help ensure the smooth completion of M&A transactions.
He also has extensive experience within the food industry, as director of food & drink at Catalyst, prior to its acquisition by Alantra, following eight years as a finance manager at United Biscuits.
As an investment director, Simon will be responsible for identifying potential investment opportunities, leading transactions and supporting the management teams of LDC’s portfolio businesses as they pursue their growth ambitions.
Mikayil joins LDC as an investment manager from PwC’s Transaction Services practice in Reading, where he focused on large cap and mid-market transactions. His experience spans several sectors, including technology media and telecoms, business services and retail.
Simon and Mikayil are the second and third additions to LDC’s East Midlands and East of England team – led by partner David Bains – during the last six months, following the appointment of investment manager Nicole Wong in April. All three are supporting LDC’s commitment to increase its activity and support of mid-market businesses across the region.
David Bains, partner and head of LDC in the East Midlands and East of England, said: “Our East Midlands and East team has always been an important part of LDC investing more than £500m over a sustained period of time to help management teams grow their businesses. In a further sign of commitment to the region, we now have the largest team we’ve had here, and its collective enthusiasm, expertise and local insight will help us to support more ambitious mid-market business leaders than ever. “Simon and Mikayil bring with them a wealth of experience in building thriving relationships and supporting businesses across a wide variety of sectors, which will add a lot of value to the management teams we back.”
Sneak peak: Behind the scenes with East Midland’s no.1 video production company
Glowfrog Video Production won the 2022 Best Business award from ThreeBestRated and are considered the very best video production company in the East Midlands, both for production quality and value.
Having just launched this year’s showreel advert, Glowfrog have now released a sneak peak behind the scenes video, offering an interesting insight into how they film with businesses across the region.
This particular video shows their set-up for producing YouTube videos on behalf of their Derby client, Create Finance.
Check it out and see what goes into making your business look top quality on video. If you’re interested you can find more of their work at www.glowfrogvideo.com.
Majority share in payment solutions provider snapped up
Manx Financial Group has acquired a 50.1% stake in Melton Mowbray-based Payment Assist Limited in a £4.2m deal.
Payment Assist was set up by Neil Jeffery and Colin Ellard in 2013 to capitalise on the opportunity in the automotive sector to improve garage customer retention rates by providing a user-friendly method of enabling customers to spread their payments over time. Payment Assist was granted its FCA permission in October 2014.
Following the acquisition, Neil Jeffery and Colin Ellard will remain as directors of Payment Assist, whilst Douglas Grant, Denham Eke and James Smeed will join the board with immediate effect.
Douglas Grant, CEO of the group, said: “We have worked with Payment Assist for over seven years through our banking subsidiary, Conister Bank Limited. During that time, we have developed an ever-closer relationship, so a joint venture was the natural next step to support Payment Assist achieve their growth ambitions.
“Their customer focused, short-term lending products, were in great demand during the pandemic and are equally as relevant today during these uncertain economic times. This is a major acquisition for the group, not only in terms of deploying our liquidity safely, but also in continuing to progress our growth strategy.”
Neil Jeffery, Chief Executive Officer of Payment Assist, said: “We are delighted to have completed this transaction and to embark upon this exciting new chapter. Having worked with Conister Bank for a number of years, we are confident that this partnership will enable Payment Assist to continue to grow as one of the leading point-of-sale lenders in the United Kingdom.”
East Midlands Accelerator helps 340 businesses with net zero plans
More than 340 businesses across the East Midlands have so far been supported in the development of their sustainability plans, as a result of the net zero strand of the East Midlands Accelerator project.
East Midlands Chamber, together with a project consortium of the region’s universities and business support agencies, is delivering the Net Zero Accelerator project, which helps organisations with changes such as reducing their carbon footprint, switching to electric vehicles and creating sustainability action plans.
Throughout the spring and summer, the project, which is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund and led by the local authority in each region, has offered grant funding, growth vouchers and fully-subsidised training to businesses in the eligible areas of Derbyshire Dales, High Peak, Mansfield, Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood, Nottingham city and Leicester city.
East Midlands Chamber deputy chief executive Diane Beresford said: “A key condition for a business receiving grant funding through the East Midlands Accelerator project is that it must commit to starting its sustainability journey. The Chamber has supported this process by enabling businesses to access the valuable support on offer from the region’s universities and other partners.
“Businesses recognise that greener practices make business sense – not just because of the long-term efficiency gains, but because presenting a clear sustainability strategy is becoming increasingly important when it comes to winning new contracts and customers.
”Once businesses have a top-level sustainability plan in place, they will need capital funding to change their infrastructure accordingly, as well as ongoing training. I’m hoping that local authorities will address this as part of their Shared Prosperity Fund plans.”
Net Zero Accelerator support has been wide-ranging, and includes:
- Support on making the switch to electric vehicles through the University of Derby’s Cenex Electric Fleet Transformation scheme.
- Support on carbon reduction and environmental management from the region’s universities. Carbon and environmental management consultancy and training have enabled businesses to work towards carbon literacy accreditation and the bronze level of the Investors in the Environment standard.
- Net zero student placements and sustainability audits in partnership with the three Leicestershire universities, giving businesses firm plans on where they might take action.
- Support from the Zellar sustainability platform, with East Midlands Chamber investing in 400 annual software licences to give SMEs the opportunity to track, measure and promote their sustainability activities, whether that be, for example, the appointment of a green champion, an audit of travel emissions, or the installation of LED lighting. So far, 336 businesses have registered their interest.
- Specialist sector support from two of the project’s partners. Food and Drink Forum experts offer decarbonisation and sustainability support to help food producers assess how they can reduce environmental impact by making changes to their production space and processes. Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire offers specialist one-to-one business support to help visitor economy businesses reduce their carbon footprint and achieve “clean, green growth”.
New HR lead sails into Nottingham Venues to spearhead drive for talent
Nottingham Venues, the new name bringing meetings, events, hotel stays and a collection of venues across the University of Nottingham’s campuses under one brand, has appointed a new director of human resources.
Suzie Adams joins the organisation, which has close to 250 employees across its various sites, after a career spent with some of the world’s biggest cruise line companies, including the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
It was there where she was headhunted to establish best practice and policies for its people management as it sought to become the best in the industry, which is a similar mission to her new one with Nottingham Venues, as general manager Tom Waldron-Lynch, explains: “We are on a journey of growth and independence where we talk about being ‘One Destination with Endless Possibilities’.
“A major part of that journey requires the best possible talent to join us as we strive to lead the field in our offering to guests and employees.
“Attracting someone of the calibre of Suzie is a big part of that, as she has incredible experience in both moulding and creating outstanding career experiences in the hospitality industry. We know that we have a superb guest experience across our venues and we want to create that same experience for our staff. Suzie will be invaluable in doing just that.”
After a career on the ocean before returning to dry land to establish the HR department at the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Suzie will now help Nottingham Venues to attract, retain, train and inspire its growing team.
Suzie says: “This is a wonderful opportunity to come into an organisation that is in a transitional phase from its previous corporate structure to a more independent approach. We all know that the pandemic presented the hospitality industry with a wide-ranging set of challenges and staffing is certainly one of them and remains so.
“However, here at Nottingham Venues we have a chance to create something truly special and unique for our growing team and I cannot wait to be part of this. There are already fantastic initiatives in place, including the ‘real living wage’, free meals when on shift and the ‘Top Of The Tree’ employee recognition scheme. My goal now is to work with Tom and his teams to create an experience that is truly remarkable and that will make us as much of a destination for talent as we already are for our guests.”
Renewable energy distributor signs up to Leicester scheme
Joint venture partners, Graftongate and BlackRock have announced the arrival of one of the UK’s largest distributors of renewable energy systems at Leicester Distribution Park (LEDP).
Glasgow-based CCL Energy Group has completed a 10-year lease on Unit 6, a newly built distribution and logistics unit of 45,000 sq ft.
CCL Components Ltd is the largest independent distributor in the UK and is involved in the technical distribution of a wide range of renewable energy products worldwide.
It will jointly occupy the new unit with sister company LinQ Logistics Ltd, a third-party logistics and stock management company that services CCL Energy Group and other businesses.
Graftongate and BlackRock have delivered eight Grade A logistics units at LEDP during three phases of development, with a total combined area of 700,000 sq ft.
Four of the buildings were constructed in the final phase of development, each containing strong sustainability features being built to carbon neutral construction and operational standards. They include PV solar panels, EV charging points, rainwater harvesting, sustainable drainage systems and intelligent energy monitoring.
Unit 2, a 150,000 sq ft distribution and logistics building, is the final unit available for occupation at the scheme and is currently available.
Graftongate director, Colin Beasley said that LEDP’s location in the heart of the Golden Triangle had generated consistently high interest from prospective occupiers.
He said: “We’re very pleased to have completed the letting of Unit 6 to CCL Energy Group. Its arrival not only complements the high calibre of occupiers that have chosen to grow their businesses at LEDP but supports our decision to speculatively build out a mid-box scheme in Leicester.
“We are continuing to see an appetite for distribution and logistics accommodation of this quality in the region and are confident of letting the final available building shortly. It will mean that all four new units in the final phase of development have been let within six months of practical completion.”
Construction recruitment specialist set to grow following £2.5m funding package
Lincoln-based business Clements Young, which offers recruitment services for the construction and M&E sectors, has secured a £2.5m finance deal with NatWest.
The investment deal will enable Clements Young to explore opportunities to grow the business, including recruiting a number of new internal staff and expanding into regional locations across the UK.
Founded in 2018, Clements Young has supported more than 130 customers within the construction and building services industry, working closely with clients and candidates to build relationships, understand the business need and ensure a beneficial employment outcome for both parties.
Matthew Jones, Managing Director at Clements Young, said: “As the business grew organically over the last few years, it became increasingly important that we secured a new finance solution that matched our needs and future ambitions. This new funding line gives us the flexibility and freedom to explore new opportunities, which really puts us in control of our own destiny.
“The team at NatWest have been invaluable in terms of their advice and support in terms of helping us move from a previous provider. Throughout, I’ve been able to pick up the phone and speak to the team, so it’s felt like a seamless transition for us and this personal touch has been an added bonus to the deal.”
Ken Feast, business development director, Invoice Finance, at NatWest, said: “As well as flexible financing solutions, we work hard to remove barriers to enterprise, so that businesses can thrive.
“It’s been fantastic to work closely with Matthew and his team to not only provide them with an invoice finance package that suits their needs but also support them with the wider aspects of taking a business on to the next stage of their growth journey. I’m really excited to see what’s next for them.”
Invoice financing is a flexible way for businesses to borrow money against payments due from customers. This frees up finances and can help businesses reinvest in growth at an earlier stage.
Broker Fundinground Ltd advised on the deal, supported by NatWest broker relationship manager Ben Davey.
Lucy Painter, director at Fundinground Ltd, said: “The range of finance products and lenders for businesses is vast, and we find that clients can’t always identify or directly access the best product for their circumstances.
“Invoice finance is of huge benefit to a broad spectrum of business to support their cashflow requirements, particularly bearing in mind the economic environment we are currently in. However, identifying the right product and lender is critical to its success, and it’s more than just price. The service aspect delivered by the lender is crucial due to the longevity and closeness of the client/lender relationship, and we know how Ken and the wider invoice finance team at NatWest recognise and value this.
“We are delighted to have brokered this introduction and know that Clements Young are in excellent hands as they embark on the next stage of their growth.”
New investment brings a bright smile to Cardinal Square
Nurton Development’s £150,000 investment at Cardinal Square to boost the wellbeing of its occupiers has helped attract new letting Smile Dental.
Smile Dental has taken 1,350 sq ft at the landmark building which now includes a revamped internal courtyard, which is a hidden oasis in Derby city centre.
The new courtyard includes greenery, water features, meeting pods and outdoors games so people working at the Grade A offices can enjoy being outside come rain or shine.
Created by local company, Talbot Landscaping, the investment is part of on-going upgrades to the offices which has totalled £1.5 million over the past three years.
Smile Dental is one of a number of occupiers signing up to the improvements including Bulkhead, Freeth’s, City Fibre, FTT, Randd, Astute, FHP, and the NHS.
David Dyas, asset manager for Nurton Developments, said modern occupiers are looking for buildings that offer more than just offices.
“Creating a high-quality working environment now involves thinking about the experience of the workplace as much as the physical offices, and providing attractive spaces for employees to work, meet and enjoy breaks are important considerations for wellbeing and productivity.
“The new-look courtyard is like a pocket park to bring the Cardinal community together and provides a unique added value amenity, in addition to all the great shops, restaurants and bars just a short walk away.”
Dyas added: “Being able to connect to the outdoors is a welcome surprise for new occupiers and offers a real wow factor for people as they walk through the building.
“Smile Dental is one of a number of lettings we’ve gained over the past 12 months including FTT and Randd and we’re pleased to welcome them to the building and demonstrate that our strategy for positive asset management pays off.”
Following the letting to Smile Dental, the third floor is being divided up into three refurnished suites ranging in size from 1,111 sq ft to 3,748 sq ft, to accommodate businesses in Derby looking to get ahead or downsize their footplate in the city.
FHP and Rigby & Co act as joint agents on the scheme.
Siblings team up to launch Engage & Grow Central Midlands
Employee engagement specialist Rachael Bull has teamed up with her brother and leading UK coach Matt Bull, to launch Engage & Grow in Central Midlands.
Engage & Grow is a global brand that focuses on re-engaging and re-energising workforces across the world, through bespoke group coaching programmes and workshops, operating in more than 80 countries. Its mission is to create a globally engaged workforce, one employee at a time.
After a successful career in journalism and public and private sector communications and engagement, Rachael became a certified coach and has joined her brother and Managing Director at ActionCOACH Loughborough, Matt, to launch Engage & Grow.
Rachael said: “It’s fantastic to be teaming up with Matt to bring Engage & Grow to the Central Midlands. My previous roles have always centred around communication and engagement, but what drew me to the business was the focus on bringing leaders and employees together to decide what actions and behaviours will help the business succeed, actually putting it all into practice, and seeing results so quickly.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy what they do, we spend so much of our lives in the workplace and if people are coming to work demotivated and uninspired then neither the employee nor the employer will benefit.
“Part of Engage & Grow’s mission is to re-engage employees and help businesses enjoy the huge value and benefits of having an engaged workforce. You can’t grow and be successful with disengaged staff and I believe it’s something that every business needs to do. Companies not doing so are missing a trick – those with engaged employees enjoy 22% more profitability, as well as significantly lower staff turnover and great retention.”
Matt said: “I’m really excited to be on this new venture with Rachael, combining my coaching experience with her employee engagement expertise. Our goal is to help leaders recognise the impact that having engaged staff can have on the business, through developing their leadership, communication and culture – all things that can easily be neglected. In fact, only 9% of the UK’s workforce is engaged.
“Globally over the past decade, Engage & Grow has brought about an average of +257% engagement growth for SMEs and +361% engagement growth for corporates and governments – our goal is to bring that success to the region’s workplaces.”
Engage & Grow Central Midlands, which is based in Loughborough, works with organisations across Nottingham, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. Programmes can be delivered, either in person or virtually.
Rachael and Matt are offering companies the opportunity to get clarity on their current employee engagement score through a free-of-charge, no obligation survey. “This is first crucial step – knowing what your engagement score is and the aspects of engagement that are stifling your organisation’s success,” Rachael explains. “We can then advise on the best way forward to make the improvements needed to ramp up that score and bring about the numerous benefits that increased employee engagement brings.”
Employers can start the Engage & Grow processes by first getting a clear idea of where their business is at and how engaged employees are. Engage & Grow offers employee surveys to create bespoke plans for companies, at no obligation.
To find out more about Engage & Grow Central Midlands and its free engagement survey, please visit: www.engageandgrowcentralmids.co.uk or contact Rachael Bull on Rachael@engageandgrowcentralmids.co.uk
Planners approve trio of new developments at Leicester’s Pioneer Park
Commercial developer, Brackley Property Developments (BPD) has secured planning consent to deliver three new buildings at a science and technology park in the East Midlands.Leicester City Council has given approval for the development of Plot 3C, a c.1.1 acre parcel of vacant land at Pioneer Park, Exploration Drive, within Leicester’s Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone.The new self-contained developments will deliver high quality, contemporary accommodation suitable for knowledge based and creative businesses, ranging in size from 6,000 – 25,000 sq ft. Features will include LED lighting, raised floors, heating and cooling systems, as well as dedicated on-site parking, EV charging provision and cycle storage.Major infrastructure works are underway to support the new business space at Pioneer Park and bring forward an adjacent four hectares of land at Space Park, University of Leicester’s development for space research, learning and innovation. More than 42 high-tech businesses are already located within the Dock, a successful and managed development within the existing science park.Managing Director of BPD, Stephen Pedrick-Moyle, said that the developer had begun a design and tender process and anticipated being on site at Pioneer Park in early 2023.He said: “We’re pleased to have exchanged with Leicester City Council and secured planning consent for the development of Plot 3C. These new buildings will enhance the facilities available to the research and development sector and will cover a wide range of uses, from software development to bespoke laboratory space. They also have the potential to support local jobs, retaining talented graduates from Leicester’s two universities.”
