Palletforce snaps up Hastings firm
EV Cargo, a global freight forwarding and supply chain services company, has acquired, via its Burton subsidiary Palletforce, Hastings-based Dobbs Logistics from its founding family owners.
Formed in 1961, Dobbs Logistics has a long history of providing pallet distribution, general haulage, project cargo and warehousing services for its customers. The acquisition further strengthens the Palletforce network, providing members with a stable and trusted service partner in a key location.
Directors Stephen Morgan, Kevin Manser and Lynton Manser and their management team will continue to lead the business post acquisition.
Mark Tapper, chief operating officer, EV Cargo Express and Palletforce, said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Dobbs Logistics, the undoubted sector-leader in its area, and welcome our new colleagues and customers to the Palletforce network. Dobbs Logistics not only meets our best-in-postcode criteria, giving our members a competitive edge, but also strengthens our overall service proposition in the Southeast for members and customers.
“We made a commitment to our members that we would put them, and their customers, front and centre in our business. In achieving that we’ve focused intently on quality service, adding 12 new members in 12 months, and continuing our investments in technology, infrastructure, and sustainability.”
Stephen Morgan, Dobbs Logistics Managing Director, said: “EV Cargo’s recognition of Dobbs Logistics as the unrivalled operator in the region is thanks to our reputation for quality and the hard work and dedication of everyone across our business.
“EV Cargo’s Palletforce network is renowned for excellence, and we are delighted to join a business which puts its members and customers first. We are looking forward to further developing our services, business proposition and securing the long-term future of the business.”
Approval for 400-bed student scheme in Nottingham
Plans to redevelop a site at the corner of Queens Road/London Road in Nottingham to create student accommodation have been approved.
The site, until recently, contained four single storey industrial units which have now been demolished.
The new scheme has been reduced from an application originally considered at a planning committee in October, where a decision was deferred for future consideration, pending a review of the development’s design and architectural approach, including further consideration of how the scheme can most sensitively contribute to the Nottingham skyline.
The original scheme proposed a trio of buildings including a 22 storey tower containing 163 BTR apartments, a 9 storey rectangular building containing 75 BTR apartments, and a 12 storey ‘L’ shaped building accommodating 406 student beds.
The first two of these buildings were removed from the scheme so that the application solely related to the Purpose Built Student Accommodation, which would form phase 1 of the overall development.
The removal of the two buildings (now forming phase 2 for the site) allows phase 1 to move forward whilst a more detailed review of their design is undertaken to address concerns raised by Committee.
A new planning application for phase 2 is anticipated to be submitted in early 2023.
Revised plans for the PBSA building, now approved, see it remain a 12 storey ‘L’ shaped building which would accommodate 406 student beds within a range of studios and 5, 8 and 9 bed cluster flats. Its ground floor would accommodate communal facilities such as lounge/study space, a cycle store, plant/equipment, a laundry and waste storage facilities. However, significant changes have been made to the building’s exterior to address concerns raised by Committee.
New facilities secured by Island Quarter developer
Conygar, the firm behind Nottingham’s Island Quarter regeneration scheme, has secured up to £47.5m to support the development.
A wholly owned subsidiary of the company has entered into a new facilities agreement with Barclays comprising a development facility and an investment facility up to £47.5m in aggregate.
The facilities will enable the completion of the construction, targeted by the summer of 2024, and letting of the 693-bed student accommodation development at The Island Quarter site in Nottingham, and are secured solely against that development area.
The company is also proposing to raise a target of £30m of additional capital through the issue of zero dividend preference shares by way of a placing in early 2023.
The net proceeds from the issue are expected to be utilised to further continue the development of The Island Quarter site in Nottingham and may also be used for further acquisitions of investment properties and in realising value from the group’s other development projects.
Robert Ware, Chief Executive of the company, said: “We are delighted to have secured the facilities with Barclays which now enables both the completion and also the subsequent letting of the student accommodation development at The Island Quarter and the further progression of the opening up of this exciting and substantial mixed-use development.”
East Midlands businesses back a better 2023 as turnover prospects shine brighter
The majority of East Midlands businesses expect 2023 to be more successful than 2022, despite challenging economic forecasts, according to the latest data from Lloyds Bank.
Almost two-thirds (65%) of the region’s businesses said they are confident they would have greater success in the coming 12 months, compared to the past year. A fifth (21%) were not confident about being more successful in 2023, and nearly one in 10 (8%) expected their business to perform at the same level in the next year. The research was carried out between December 1 and December 14 as part of additional polling for the monthly Lloyds Bank Business Barometer.
Firms in the East Midlands projected a more upbeat outlook for 2023, with over half (51%) expecting a higher turnover than in 2022. One in five businesses (19%) expect turnover to increase by between 5% and 19%, and a fifth (20%) anticipate turnover to increase by more than 20%.
When businesses were asked what they would do to fuel growth, 91% said they were planning an investment drive. Businesses reported that funding would be used for staff training (38%), new technology (34%) and developing their company (32%).
Alongside investment, East Midlands businesses plan on making several New Year’s resolutions. These include growing revenue from their existing customer base (33%), followed by improving productivity (31%). Almost half (45%) said they are planning to retain existing staff, with 19% set to invest in paying bonuses and short-term incentives. A third (33%) are intending to target growth from their existing customer base.
Dave Atkinson, regional director for the East Midlands at Lloyds Bank, said: “The East Midlands has always been a region that refuses to stand still, and it’s down to the resilience of its businesses that firms are focused on opportunities for growth despite the challenging landscape.
“Firms are approaching 2023 with a clear plan for developing their business and are laser focused on the areas they believe will help them best achieve their goals – retaining and upskilling their staff and investing in new technology. To ensure they have the working capital to fund their ambitions, businesses should carefully consider all avenues available to them and we will be by their side to offer the advice and support they need.”
2022 Made in Chesterfield festival inspires girls to consider careers in engineering and manufacturing
Girls have been inspired to consider a career in engineering and manufacturing thanks to this year’s Made in Chesterfield festival, co-ordinated by Destination Chesterfield and Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP).
Maddy, a Year 9 pupil from Whittington Green School who visited performance vehicle specialist Scooby Clinic in Wingerworth, Derbyshire, said: “I would definitely consider a future career in STEM. There’s a stigma about STEM being just for boys but actually more women should give it a go; they can do it. It’s not just for boys.”
Maddy was one of more than 150 male and female students from secondary schools throughout Chesterfield that took part in workplace visits to companies operating in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sector during the four-week festival.
The visits, which were organised by Direct Education Business Partnership, were designed to introduce secondary school students to the varied STEM careers available in the local economy.
Sonya Martin, Out of School Tuition Tutor at Whittington Green School, praised the campaign, saying: “We’ve had quite a few female students say they didn’t realise engineering was open to them and that, actually, the work would be a lot of fun. Having the chance to bring them around different workplaces, especially Scooby Clinic, has been really good for them because we very rarely get to know what goes on in our local environment.”
Scooby Clinic was one of a number of businesses that welcomed students into the workplace during the festival. MSE Hiller, Weightron Bilanciai, United Cast Bar, Superior Wellness, Atlantic Pumps, Robinson PLC and Aztec Oils also opened their doors to students.
Aztec Oils, which is based in Bolsover and is one of the UK’s leading specialists in high-performance lubricant manufacture and distribution, welcomed students from Springwell Community College.
During the visit Year 9 pupil Lara commented: “Being here today has made me reconsider my GCSE options. It’s shown me that STEM is more than science and there are lots of jobs and so many opportunities out there.”
Julie Richards, principal of The Chesterfield College Group, explained: “It is so positive to see the impact of raising aspirations in STEM subjects with girls across the region thanks to initiatives like Made in Chesterfield. This is the latest in a long line of positive actions to breakdown any perceived barriers for young women who enter a career in STEM.
“Year on year we are delighted to see more and more young, driven women studying programmes and apprenticeships at Chesterfield College in STEM industries. These students consistently inform us that when talking to school age girls about getting into a STEM related career they should ‘just go for it!’
“Whilst they admitted they felt daunted when first entering the industry, that apprehension quickly subsided when they realised how supported and valued they were by their classmates or work colleagues.”
According to a report by The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM, only 27% of the UK’s STEM workforce is female compared to 52% of the wider workforce.
Made in Chesterfield, which is sponsored by the Chesterfield College Group, is now in its eighth year. The annual festival is playing a key role in addressing the technical skills shortage amongst local businesses.
Research by the UK Commission for Employment & Skills found that 43 per cent of national STEM vacancies are hard to fill due to a shortage of skilled and experienced applicants.
Ivan Fomin, Destination Chesterfield board member responsible for manufacturing and engineering in the Borough, said: “I am delighted at the impact the Made in Chesterfield festival has made with students, schools and businesses this year. Seeing so many mixed groups of students undertaking visits to STEM workplaces in Chesterfield is incredibly encouraging. Ensuring that our workplaces are diverse is critical to tackling skills shortages in the sector both locally and nationally.”
Clare Talati, Chief Executive of DEBP added: “DEBP are delighted to work in partnership on the initiative; at a time with increased pressures for schools and employers, the feedback demonstrates just how important workplace visits are in enabling young people to understand more about the amazing opportunities available locally.”
Since its 2014 launch, Made in Chesterfield has introduced over 3,500 young people to the jobs and careers available operating in the STEM sector within local businesses.
National construction firm’s Midlands and North division celebrates record year
McLaren Construction’s Midlands and North arm is reflecting on a year of record turnover and growth, with ambitions plans set for 2023 and beyond.
Alongside achieving £142m turnover for the financial year ending July 2022, the company has achieved 75 percent repeat business, winning multiple awards for its developments and expanding its team and portfolio into new sectors.
Projected turnover for the present financial year is £258m, an increase of 80 percent on 2022, and the Midlands and North division has already secured projects exceeding £100m into 2024.
McLaren’s strategy in 2022 was to focus on nurturing key client relationships, supporting valued customers through the delivery of quality developments, whilst enhancing social value through its sustainability and charitable efforts.
McLaren Construction as a whole, finished its financial year on 31 July 2022 with a turnover for the previous 12 months of £726.2m, exceeding pre-pandemic levels with an increase of £184.1m on the previous year. Turnover for the year ending July 2023 is currently forecast at over £850m, with 80 percent business already secured.
Gary Cramp, Managing Director, said: “We are extremely proud of our success in the last year, and this is all down to the amazing work of our team and our consistent approach to planning.
“The challenges following Covid have presented themselves during a busy construction market in 2022, and the industry has been presented with inflationary pressure on materials and labour resource to carry out projects.
“Despite these pressures, our solid preparation has allowed us to secure early procurement to mitigate risks to the business and we are excited by the value and rich variety of projects we have in the pipeline next year, and into 2024.
“While there are lots of positives to look forward to in 2023, we are prepared for the emergence of a tougher market, but our focus will remain on key relationships and supporting our valued customers, whilst investing centrally to enhance our social value, diversity and sustainability offering.”
2023 Business Predictions: Nishi Patel, Managing Director at N-Accounting
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Nishi Patel, Managing Director at N-Accounting.
We will be in recession in 2023, and in a recession it is much harder to borrow, so businesses must be far more organised with their cashflows in the coming months.
If borrowing is needed it must be planned for in advance.
It is vital that companies find ways to add value to their offering, and attempt to do more with the same resources.
The main focus for all should be on maintaining profitability, and in order to do that, businesses must hold their nerve and, whatever the circumstances, never discount.
During the 2008 recession, most businesses slashed their prices, but that caused long term issues for them when they tried to pull themselves back up.
In a recession, people don’t stop spending money, they just want better value. And they are more likely to part with cash if they can see a business’s credibility.
Therefore, it is important for businesses to work harder on their marketing and be specific about who they are helping.
They need to ensure that their culture is clear, accessible for all and owned by the whole team so that everyone is performing at their best to remain competitive and deliver value.
Finally, companies must also work harder on their solution and be clear on how they can help.
Even if businesses have a dip in sales, or a quieter time, they should focus any capacity they’ve got on creating good quality content, because even if they’ve got a good solution, they need to get the word out there and tell their story.
12,500 sq ft property deal completed at Evo Park
Commercial property specialist NG Chartered Surveyors, working in tandem with FHP Property Consultants, have completed the letting of Pod 1 at Evo Park Business Park, north of Nottingham.
Chauvet Lighting, innovator, developer and manufacturer of entertainment lighting, is the new tenant in the 12,500 sq ft Grade A office and warehouse space.
This letting is the latest in a number of deals the NG and FHP firms brokered during 2022 on Evo Park. These have included the sale of Pods 2 and 3 to owner-occupiers and the investment sale of Pod 5.
NG and FHP have now been instructed to sell or let Pod 1 and Pod 4 on behalf of landlord client M7 Real Estate.
Richard Sutton at NG said: “This just shows that, with the right product, priced in the right way and with two proactive agents, what can be achieved in what can still be a challenging market.
“We are seeing more and more companies opt to take space away from city centres and onto developments like Sherwood Park. When you have a client like M7, who is in tune with the market and their agents’ advice, it makes the project a positive one.”
Mark Tomlinson at FHP added: “The Evo Pods have proven very popular with investors and occupiers alike. They have given the unique opportunity to acquire good quality self-contained industrial/warehouse space with ready-made offices in a business park environment as opposed to an industrial estate.
“FHP and NG have concluded over 50,000 sq ft of deals on Evo Park in the last 15 months to breathe new life into this estate – which is very pleasing.”
Nottingham adventure golf development site sold
Acting on behalf of multi-site mini golf operator, Adventure Experience, Christie & Co has sold the lease of the company’s development site in Nottingham to Skegness-headquartered leisure and entertainment operators, Teen Spirit.
The development will occupy a high-profile site within Stockhill Park at the junction of the A610 Nuthall Road and Stockhill Lane, midway between junction 26 of the M1 motorway and Nottingham city centre.
Planning and full design is in place for the construction of an 18-hole adventure golf centre, with a former pavilion building to be refurbished as a retail kiosk, together with associated car parking on a site of approximately 1.5-acres.
As part of the transaction, Teen Spirit has entered into a new 25-year lease with Nottingham City Council, with construction due to commence early in 2023.
Director of Teen Spirit, Charlton Cooper said: “Our current portfolio of businesses including the likes of Skegness Aquarium, the Tower Cinema and a variety of family entertainment centres including our own adventure golf operation is focussed on coastal locations. The opportunity to grow the adventure golf business and incorporate a more suburban concept with a fantastic catchment and with planning already in place fitted our plans perfectly.”
Head of Leisure & Development at Christie & Co Jon Patrick, who brokered the sale, said: “The adventure golf market has changed over the last few years with a drive towards indoor concepts from a variety of operators. However, the outdoor version is arguably a more straightforward business to operate and with the growth in on-line booking and CRM marketing, the ability to manage these types of business as well as optimise the customer experience can deliver excellent returns on investment.”
BDO strengthens Midlands Risk Advisory team with partner hire
Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP has strengthened its Midlands team with the appointment of Ian Bennington.
Ian joins the Digital & Risk Advisory Service’s (DRAS) team as partner. He brings more than 20 years’ experience to the firm, with expertise in delivering internal audit, risk and compliance services to large global organisations across industry sectors, and a particular focus on life sciences.
At BDO, Ian will take on a national role, leading the firm’s Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) service, helping to build BDO’s capabilities in the area of ethics and compliance and organisational culture. He joins from Deloitte.
Tim Foster, partner and national head of BDO’s Risk Advisory Service, said: “Ian is a valuable addition to both the Midlands and National DRAS teams. His experience in guiding organisations through the complex area of corporate compliance will be vital, as we look to strengthen our footprint in this field.
“He will play a key role in helping large global entities to protect themselves against the reputational damage and business disruption that comes from non-compliance in areas, such as bribery and corruption, fraud and modern slavery.”
According to BDO’s latest bi-monthly ‘Rethinking the Economy’ survey of mid-sized businesses, 38% of those based in the Midlands intend to speed up their investment in recruiting risk management talent in 2023.
Ian said: “Crucial to the success of businesses in the future will be their ability to manage risks effectively in an increasingly challenging environment and embed ethical decision making into their organisation. At BDO, we have an important part to play in helping organisations to understand and manage their risks and to help them understand and change their organisational culture to improve standards of compliance, and help them to establish the culture they need to deliver their purpose and improve their business performance.”
He added: “I am looking forward to contributing to a collaborative organisation and helping others to succeed, by sharing the breadth of my experience and my network of relationships. I am passionate about helping both our clients and our people succeed.”
