Principal Paul Dean welcomed visitors and the Mayor of Grantham, Councillor Graham Jeal, cut the ribbon to open the centre.
Mr Dean said: “It is a real delight to open these facilities after all of the work from our staff, suppliers and contractors. This centre will help us develop the skills of the students that are so urgently needed if we are to transition to net zero.
“Sometimes colleges have to lead and take risks and have vision for capacity to be developed. When these skills are developed, the opportunity to develop businesses is there and investing in green skills is a win win. It should not be seen as a cost but a long-term investment.
“We at Grantham college want to be a part of a brighter future, supporting energy security and the transition to net zero. It is hoped it will help solve current skills gaps but also help to inspire our students.”
The college’s existing engineering and link block spaces have been transformed to create a centre that combines engineering and construction with state-of-the-art and industry-standard equipment.
It provides new learning opportunities in electrical engineering, plumbing, gas fitting and renewable energies including solar, wind and air.
This project also extends the curriculum to not only give students more skills, but allows more businesses to work with the college.
Steven Peacock, Vice Principal of Grantham College, showed guests around the centre to give them an exclusive look into the project.
He said: “We are very delighted that the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership has funded this project. The two disciplines of construction and engineering are taken into account with a view to developing technologies and looking towards the future in terms of energies.”
With the new centre, the college offers a number of courses including levels 1 to 3 in plumbing studies, levels 1 to 3 in construction skills, as well as apprenticeships in plumbing and domestic heating and engineering fitting alongside other courses.
The centre will also offer flexible green skills boot camps including introductions to heat pump installation, solar panel installation, smart metering and more.
New energy centre opens at Grantham College
Grantham College has officially opened its new energy centre which sets out to develop students’ skills and “be part of a brighter future.”
Fusion Utilities invests millions in new Derbyshire site
Following a multi-million-pound investment, Wolseley Infrastructure has announced plans for its Fusion Utilities brand to open a new 160,000-square foot facility in Bolsover, near Chesterfield, just off the M1.
The new Wolseley Infrastructure site will house a wide variety of utilities products which will allow the brand to provide better availability to customers.
The new site will be used as a fulfilment centre to deliver stock directly to customers on-time and in-full nationally, as well as providing services such as Hire & Servicing and housing technical services, national sales office and design teams.
Located just off the M1 in Bolsover for easy driver access, the new site is due to be ready in April 2024.
Commenting on the investment, John Hancock, Managing Director at Wolseley UK, says: “This exciting investment has been inspired by our Customer First approach, which has guided our developments ever since Fusion Utilities became part of Wolseley Infrastructure. We believe that the new Chesterfield site will build upon our product and service offerings to provide our customers with an even easier, more streamlined way to meet their utilities needs.”
On top of the massive benefits to customers, the new warehouse will create jobs for residents in Bolsover and the surrounding area. John continues: “Our dedication to people goes beyond our employees — and we’re proud that the new site will help to support the local community too. It’s all part of our mission to create a Positive Impact in everything we do.”
Planning is already underway for the development, with Neal Lambert, Technical Director at Fusion Utilities, and Simon Dennis, National Operations Director, at the helm of the project.
Initial designs include the warehouse combining a green exterior with building features that mirror the natural landscape, visually showcasing Wolseley Infrastructure’s commitment to being environmentally conscious. The site will also include local vegetation to provide a biodiverse habitat, in addition to having attenuation ponds to reduce flood risks.
Neal says: “This new warehouse marks an exciting time for Fusion Utilities, with our customers, colleagues and suppliers all reaping the countless benefits this site will provide, in a central location with easy motorway access. The team have been working tirelessly to make sure the site meets all our customer requirements and we can’t wait to unveil it in 2024.”
Chesterfield manufacturer works with chocolatier to produce festive range for John Lewis
Robinson, a Chesterfield-based manufacturer specialising in value-added custom packaging, has teamed up with Holdsworth Chocolates to create a Christmas confectionery range for John Lewis.
The bespoke festive range includes a selection of 100% recyclable rigid boxes, sleeves and treat bags printed in a six-colour design and foil blocked on gold.
Robinson produced the 200g and 400g box and lid on a recently acquired rigid box line. The new equipment – SATE machinery – is based at the site in Chesterfield and offers huge advantages in terms of production and quality of the finished product with savings on fixed production costs, consistency and reliability, and ease of use and maintenance.
Jon Walker, new business development manager at Robinson, said: “Producing high quality, creative, engaging packaging for brands and retailers at an affordable price is key. Being an independent company means that we can be flexible to the needs of Holdsworth. We turned around production from design to delivery in just 3-4 weeks.”
David Sharples, Managing Director at Holdsworth Chocolates, said: “Whenever we produce packaging, including for special celebrations such as Christmas, we aim to make sure all the materials we use are sustainable and can be recycled.
“Sustainable packaging is a collective goal for both Robinson and Holdsworth. Our brand was developed on a passion for creating beautiful hand-crafted chocolates, using the finest of everything, that’s why it is so important that we invest in high quality sustainable packaging that reflects our values too.
“The packaging has been printed using six colours and is completed with foil blocking; the perfect finishing touch to add a stunning and luxurious feel to the design. As the Christmas packaging was only needed in limited quantity, Robinson provided a small bespoke run for Holdsworth’s needs, making them the perfect packaging partner.
“The breadth of the Holdsworth chocolate range of products means we have a requirement for a wide spectrum of packaging solutions, whether that be rigid boxes and lids, folding cartons or our unique clam shell gift boxes. With Robinson, we have found a partner in whom we can place an absolute trust; not only in reacting quickly to demand but also in helping us to create beautiful, sustainable packaging that perfectly complements our core values as a British business of excellence and quality.”
More than 10,000 illegal cigarettes seized in Grantham shop raids
Joint agency raids on two premises in Grantham have led to more than 10,000 illegal cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco, 350 illegal vapes and cash seized.
Many of the contraband items had been hidden in elaborate ‘hides’ within one shop.
The raids were carried out by Lincolnshire Trading Standards, Lincolnshire Police’s licensing team and Grantham’s neighbourhood policing team.
At 28 Westgate, known as The Local Store, illegal goods were found hidden in three separate locations – in a hide behind a bathroom mirror, in an electrically operated magnetic lock beneath the counter, and under the counter floor.
At ‘Baltic’ located at 16 Westgate, approximately 3,000 illegal cigarettes and 100 illegal vapes were found – mainly in the rear storeroom.
The operation was a result of community and police intelligence, and behind-the-scenes work by the Licencing Team, which is a partnership between Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire County Council.
PC Mark Barr, Community Beat Manager for the Grantham Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said: “We know that the sale of illegal goods like this is linked to youth anti-social-behaviour (ASB) as well as organised crime.
“Disrupting that activity through raids at stores where we think there may be counterfeit goods puts an almighty dent in the profits of criminal gangs. Make no mistake, these stores can make up to £50,000 a week, so the profits involved in selling what is an illegal and often dangerous product are quite staggering.
“This latest activity shows that we won’t tolerate this, and we will take action. We would encourage our community to continue to come forward with intelligence which can help us stamp out the sale and trade of counterfeit goods.”
Principal Lincolnshire Trading Standards officer, Andy Wright, said: “This is another excellent example of the partnership work between Trading Standards, Police Licensing and Police Neighbour Teams. Many of the cigarettes seized were counterfeit, and many don’t include vital safety features which allow them to self-extinguish when not being smoked, making them a huge fire safety risk.
“The complexity of the hides – both using electro-magnetic locks – in use in the second shop show that this was a professional enterprise with the specific objective of selling illegal cigarettes.
“Increasingly, we are finding shops selling illegal cigarettes also sell illegal vapes. Some of the illegal vapes seized contained way over the legal limit of nicotine, with some having the same nicotine content as 150 cigarettes.
“By tackling and removing shops selling illegal cigarettes, we’ve seen it can result in a huge reduction in general crime and anti-social behaviour in an area. We are aware of the concerns of local residents in those areas and, with help from our partner agencies, we are doing all that we can to help improve the quality of life in these communities.”
Duo of Derbyshire businesses partner on skills to promote growth and apprenticeships
Two Derbyshire-based businesses are partnering together to promote growth and employment opportunities for young people wishing to pursue an apprenticeship.
The two companies are marketing agency Purpose Media and apprenticeship providers EMA Training. Purpose Media has been using EMA Training for many years to meet their needs for IT and digital marketing apprentices and the latest partnership will see them combine skills to enable EMA to promote apprenticeship opportunities to the wider East Midlands market.
EMA Training’s Chief Executive Officer, Tracey Mosley, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our new website ematraining.co.uk, in partnership with Purpose Media. As an East Midlands apprenticeship training provider, we work closely with local employers to ensure career employment opportunities are accessible.
“This would not be possible without the support of employers such as Purpose Media who, as one of our employer clients, provide guidance, employment, and progression opportunities to those starting their careers.”
Chloé Farmer, head of marketing, said: “Our new, innovative website aims to inspire and guide school leavers, young professionals, parents, and employers. Purpose Media has provided us with an accessible and appealing platform to attract, inform and educate them of the benefits of apprenticeships. Even today we find that many people do not fully understand apprenticeships and our website aims to dispel the myths.
“We believe in supporting apprentices to develop their careers at any given opportunity; EMA’s marketing assistant, Jess Tracey, has project managed the website from an EMA Training perspective as part of her Level 4 Marketing Executive apprenticeship, which has been fantastic for her career development!”
Grace Golden, head of client growth from Purpose Media, said: “Over our 14-year company history, Purpose Media has a long track record of nurturing apprentices, in fact many are now in senior management roles.
“Co-incidentally, Ruby Birks, who has project managed the work for EMA training is a former apprentice who has recently won two apprentice of the year awards, so this shows how beneficial apprenticeships can be in kickstarting a career journey. We are delighted to be partnering further with EMA to create more employment opportunities for young people.”
Two Leicestershire company directors banned for 19 years following Bounce Back Loan abuse
Restaurant and fashion bosses in Leicestershire have been banned for misconduct including Bounce Back Loan abuse and failing to keep company books and records.
Savio Gilbert Pereira, 46, and Sajid Anver Valimohammed, 37, have been disqualified as company directors for a total of 19 years following separate Insolvency Service investigations which uncovered financial misconduct.
Pereira, of Market Harborough, was sole director of Himalayan Zest Takeaway Limited, which was incorporated in April 2018 and traded as Himalayan Zest on Market Street in Lutterworth until it went into liquidation in November 2021.
In June 2020, Pereira applied for a Bounce Back Loan on behalf of Himalayan Zest. Bounce Back Loans were government-backed loans designed to help businesses stay afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the rules of the scheme, companies could apply for loans of between £2,000 and £50,000, up to a maximum of 25% of their turnover for 2019.
Pereira stated that Himalayan Zest’s turnover was around £207,500, which allowed the restaurant to receive the maximum £50,000 loan.
When the business went into liquidation the following year owing around £51,500, it triggered an investigation by the Insolvency Service which found that Pereira had exaggerated Himalayan Zest’s turnover in order to falsely claim the loan.
Investigators discovered that the company only had around £54,600 in its bank account following receipt of the Bounce Back Loan, and between June and August that year, Pereira had made a £10,000 payment to himself, £28,000 in various debit payments to an unknown recipient and had withdrawn a total of £16,800 in cash.
Pereira was unable to prove that these transactions were for the economic support of the restaurant.
A second director, Sajid Anver Valimohammed, of Leicester, was director of J Dee Designs Ltd, which was incorporated in July 2019 and traded as a fashionwear finisher from Upper Charnwood Street in Leicester until it went into liquidation in December 2020.
But Valimohammed had failed to keep business accounts and records – a legal requirement of company directors – and was unable to hand them over to the company’s liquidators, which led to an investigation by the Insolvency Service.
Investigators discovered that Valimohammed had withdrawn more than £286,000 from the company bank account through 199 separate transfers with the reference ‘Mrref Self FT’ during the time J Dee Design was in business.
They found that around £315,300 was withdrawn from J Dee Design’s bank account during the period – including £30,000 from a Bounce Back Loan that the company had applied for – but Valimohammed could not prove that the transactions were for legitimate trading activity, or whether the loan money had been used for the benefit of the company.
And due to his failure to keep company accounts, investigators were also unable to verify whether J Dee Designs had paid the correct amount of tax it owed, or to ascertain the true financial position of the company when it went into liquidation, including whether liquidators would be able to make any recovery of debts.
Valimohammed did not contest the disqualification order at court and was banned from being a director for 8 years on 9 November this year. His ban began on 30 November and the court also awarded full costs to the Insolvency Service.
Separately, the Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Savio Pereira in October, after he did not dispute that he had caused his restaurant to falsely apply for a Bounce Back Loan of £50,000, and had failed to use the money for the economic benefit of the company.
Pereira’s disqualification started on 15 November this year and lasts for 11 years. The bans prevent the two directors from directly or indirectly becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.
Dave Elliott, Chief Examiner at The Insolvency Service, said: “The Insolvency Service takes Bounce Back Loan abuse and the failure to keep, preserve and deliver up books and records very seriously.
“The length of these directors’ bans reflects the gravity of their misconduct, and should serve as a warning to others.”
Nottingham apartments scheme sold to specialist retirement living developer
Commercial developer, Peveril Securities and senior living developer, Charterpoint have sold a site in Beeston, Nottingham, to specialist retirement living developer Churchill Retirement Living.
Earlier this year, the site received full planning permission for a development of 51 retirement living apartments from Broxtowe Borough Council.
Situated on a mixed-use site, on land previously occupied by the former Myford Works, the scheme off Chilwell Road will feature one and two-bed apartments, plus communal owners’ lounge and coffee bar, along with a guest suite and a lodge manager.
The apartments are part of a wider development on the site which also includes Myford Court, a new development of penthouses and apartments by Peveril Homes, a Central England Co-op store, which opened in May 2020, and a 66-bed care home to be operated by Tanglewood Care Services.
This scheme will mark the completion of the 4.5-acre brownfield regeneration site.
James Smith of Peveril Securities said: “Once complete, this superb scheme will create a modern community in a prime location just a few hundred metres from Beeston town centre. Residents will also have excellent transport links and access to an abundance of amenities, as the site is close to a tram stop.”
Charterpoint CEO Adrian Goose said: “We are delighted to have sold this site to Churchill Retirement Living who will now take it forward to create a high quality new independent and activity retirement development close to shops, transport links, leisure facilities and other amenities.
“This is the final part of a visionary place-making scheme that has breathed new life into the area, and we are very pleased to have created such an attractive and popular mixed-use scheme so close to Beeston town centre.”
Churchill’s Regional Managing Director Robert Monkman added: “We’re looking forward to starting work on this new development, which will create a vibrant new community in the heart of Beeston.
“Retirement housing is the most effective form of residential development for generating local economic growth, supporting local jobs, and increasing high street spend. Our new apartments will also help improve the health and wellbeing of those who live there, and meet the housing needs of many older people in Beeston and the surrounding area.
“We are actively looking for more new sites like this to bring much needed retirement housing to the wider Midlands region.”
DMU wins funding to help businesses turn ideas into reality
Academics will be working with a range of companies on a new series of short-term projects designed to get innovative ideas off the drawing board and into reality.
De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) has won funding for five projects as part of the Government’s new £3m Accelerated Knowledge Transfer to Innovate programme. It was launched earlier this year to deliver short, fast and targeted projects that can make significant impact for a business.
DMU won funding for all five applications it made, led by the university’s knowledge exchange team of Dr Rhianna Briars and Darsh Chauhan, working with academics across the university. DMU was awarded more than £143,000.
Each project has a maximum funding amount of £35,000 and runs between two and four months.
Dr Briars said: “DMU is always looking to collaborate with local businesses and SMEs to match our areas of expertise with companies in a way that adds real value to the region’s economy.
“We have been delighted with the response from businesses and our academics, and to have all five projects win funding is a great result.”
The projects which have won funding are:
- Designing new technology to support Deaf dancers and choreographers to create new work, with Serendipity Arts – Professor Tracy Harwood and Dr Dave Paggett
- Designing new software for finance firm Spitfire Analytics to help save customers time and money – Dr Graeme Stuart
- Helping predict the strength of 3D printed components using a machine learning model – Dr Reza Baserinia and Gamlen Tableting Ltd
- Testing and creating more efficient furnaces that give a more predictable performance – Dr Abolfazi Zahedi and Dr Meisam Abdi, and Vacuum and Atmosphere Services
- Creating a database and search system to promote films in all languages – Dr Hiu Man Chan and Trinity Filmed Entertainment
WestBridge Group acquires 3,500 strong SSAS book from Rowanmoor Executive Pensions
Leicester-based WestBridge Group (WestBridge), one of the UK’s leading SSAS administrators and tax experts, has continued its expansion plans with the acquisition of the employees, clients, and assets of Rowanmoor Executive Pensions Limited’s (REPL) book of 3,500 small self-administered schemes (SSAS), for an undisclosed sum.
This is the second major acquisition by WestBridge and follows the purchase of the James Hay SSAS book in March 2021. The acquisition will see WestBridge add over 3,500 SSAS to its existing book of 1,000 plans.
Completion is scheduled for the end of January when WestBridge will take over the duties and responsibilities of REPL. All 97 staff will be retained and continue to operate from the current offices in Bolton and Salisbury.
The acquisition will include REPL’s actuarial team which will add to the professional services offered by WestBridge.
The Group recently moved to a new HQ in Leicester on Meridian Business Park.
Tom Moore, chairman of WestBridge Group, said: “We have made no secret that we are acquisitive for the right books of business and have shown how we can successfully integrate them into the WestBridge Group. This is another exciting opportunity for us to bring together the combined expertise of SSAS professionals from both firms to create a hub of SSAS excellence. We look forward to welcoming the team to the WestBridge Group and getting to know them all.
“REPL is an established business benefiting from strong management and a depth of resources. We look forward to meeting their clients and intermediary partners to reaffirm our commitment to dedicated account manager driven SSAS administration.”
Paul Downing of Rowanmoor Executive Pensions Limited said: “As a leading SSAS administrator, we received a number of expressions of interest in acquiring our business and client book. The board is delighted to have found the right home for our staff, assets under administration, and importantly our customers who will receive the benefit of continuity in service as WestBridge takes the helm.”
WestBridge Group have also announced that the acquisition will see them rebrand the enlarged business in Q1 2023, recognising the growth and future of the firm.
Digital disruption expert joins Browne Jacobson
Law firm Browne Jacobson, which has offices in Nottingham, has appointed digital disruption legal expert Mike Rebeiro as strategic advisor to its UK & Ireland (UK&I) IP and Technology team.
Mike who was the former Global Head of technology and Innovation at Norton Rose Fulbright, is a highly experienced senior business, technology and digital lawyer that has had extensive Chair and Board experience.
Mike has 28 years’ experience advising British and international corporates on the regulatory and ethical implications of the use of new digital and disruptive technologies including, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, the Internet of Things (IOT), robotics and digital assets. Prior to joining Browne Jacobson, Mike has also held roles at Slaughter & May and Macfarlanes.
Mike’s role will see him work closely with partner Declan Cushley, who leads the firm’s strategy for the corporate sector, and partner and head of Browne Jacobson’s Digital and Outsourcing practice, Anthony Nagle, in driving forward the firm’s digital disruption strategy which is a key strand of the firm’s overall vision for growth.
Speaking on the appointment, Declan Cushley, said: “Mike has strong international links, which following our investment into Dublin presents an excellent opportunity to enhance our offering to clients who do substantial business globally and reach new target clients in the EEA and the US.
“Mike will also be imperative in helping to build the bridge between our UK&I based commercial teams that are focused on digital disruption and support them to give clients a seamless service across both jurisdictions. We are thrilled to have Mike on board to help further shape our firm ambitions around digital disruption.”
Anthony Nagle added: “Our clients are continuously being challenged by new technologies and business models and how they are disrupting the markets and industries they operate in. They are having to think creatively on how to adapt to these changes. We want to encourage our clients to embrace these disruptions and connect them to the many benefits and opportunities for growth that they offer.”
Mike said: “Browne Jacobson has clear ambitions to be even more connected to the critical issues facing its clients, including how digital disruptive technologies are impacting their Environmental, Social and Governance agendas. Browne Jacobson is at the forefront of advising clients on the intersection of their ESG ambitions and digital disruption and the wider impact that it can have on society – this is what puts them ahead of other law firms.
“I am pleased to become part of its digital offering and those aspirations, and to help see the bigger picture between the firm’s London, Dublin and wider international networks.”
